We're going to do a challenge in this one.
Okay, and...
I don't know if I'm going to be able to come up.
It's so quick, you know, but...
It's a quick challenge break.
Quick, quick.
We're not going to keep this break.
Allow me to have some fun and do some...
Just give me a Tuesday.
And what's the challenge?
Is it for new members?
When you join.
It's from the member challenge.
Okay.
When you join.
$2,000 during this break.
From the reminder, we've got spike marks.
So just send your body right on that tape.
Perfect, perfect.
And just from the reminder, we've got spike marks here.
Yup.
Send your body right there.
Fantastic.
It was right down the barrel.
I was going to hip that baby, but I'll send her.
And I'm assuming I'm going low to high.
This is happy.
Uh, yes.
This is going to be good.
It's not.
Wow.
This is great.
Apparently your rider included it.
You get camera number one point at you.
I see how it is.
Thank you.
When will there be a camera angle that he can get up here?
Yes.
So he's going to come up when we're on Linda.
Go around.
Okay.
Thank you.
Bye.
Thank you.
Hi, I'm David Hoffer to volunteer here at PBS Wisconsin,
breaking into the news hour just briefly to ask you on this
Giving Tuesday to make a pledge of financial support to PBS
Wisconsin so that we can continue to bring you programs like the
news hour for many years to come.
The number is there on the bottom of your screen,
1-800-236-3636, and in light of it being giving Tuesday,
this is a challenge break.
When you call during the next seven minutes, your money will
be doubled by friends of PBS Wisconsin who care about
sustaining this kind of programming for the entire
community.
Now, I know you know it's Giving Tuesday because if you're
like me, you've been inundated with emails all day long asking
you for your money.
And perhaps you're wondering how can I decide which of these
worthy organizations to give to?
Well, here's my suggestion.
You're watching this now.
That means that you use this service.
This service matters to you.
That's how you can decide to give us a call right now at
1-800-236-3636.
Hi, I'm Linda Berman, a volunteer here just like David at
PBS Wisconsin.
It's a great opportunity to call right now.
It is Giving Tuesday and we are challenging you, challenging
you to become part of our team here at PBS Wisconsin.
We've got some very special thank you gifts when you call in.
If you call it the $10 a month level, you'll get this
really, really cute hat.
It's iHeart, our love, PBS Wisconsin.
Perfect for our weather as we look outside and we know
winter is here.
If you call it the $12 a month level, we've got this really
incredible book.
This is the US Constitution and other writings.
I mean, they're writings from Ben Franklin.
If you want the original Star Spangled Banner, that's
in here.
If you want to know about the Monroe Doctrine, it's in here.
This is a way to know history, to see it, and to share it.
If you call it $15 a month, we have our PBS Wisconsin mug.
This mug is like a cup of sunshine.
We said you can use it right-handed or left-handed.
One way you see the B and all of native plants or the other
side, you see PBS Wisconsin.
No matter which side it means you're supporting PBS Wisconsin.
If you call it $20 a month, you get it all.
You get the Wisconsin Winter Hat, the Constitution book,
and our PBS Wisconsin mug.
And just to remind you, no matter what level you call it,
you will get our airwaves magazine to know what's happening
and see what's coming up.
But he has to start with your call now on this challenge.
1-800-236-3636.
Hi, I'm Eric Reiling.
I'm the Director of Friends of PBS Wisconsin.
And I want to say thank you to all the sustaining members
of PBS Wisconsin.
Now, more than ever, it is generosity that powers this service.
And we want to invite you to become a Sustainer as well.
It's Giving Tuesday.
We have a challenge break for Giving Tuesday.
If you call now, our generous current members will sponsor
your gift one-to-one match.
Give us a call.
Become a Sustainer.
Being a Sustainer simply means it's a monthly,
ongoing deduction from your checking account
or from your credit card.
And it continues on until you ask us to stop.
It's great for us.
It really helps us know what we can budget for, what we can do.
And if you are already a Sustainer, again, thank you and
consider adding to that sustaining gift.
Let us say thank you.
Signal your support for PBS NewsHour.
Give us a call at 1-800-236-3636.
And I am now joined by a very special guest,
Buckingham U Badger.
You may know him by his nickname, Bucky.
But it's a big night for you, Bucky, right?
Right after the NewsHour tonight, we are premiering your
biography.
Let's see here.
How long did it take you to earn a biography?
No, you don't want to...
Listen, listen, this is a sensitive subject.
But I hear that Bucky is 85 years old.
And I have to say, Bucky, I have to say,
I hope I look as good as you when I'm 85 years old.
That's pretty impressive.
But what is also impressive is the quality of news programming
that you get on PBS Wisconsin.
So give us a call right now.
Where else but Wisconsin?
Can you find Bucky Badger at PBS Wisconsin?
Here we are going to present to you Bucky coming up.
But before then, we are celebrating the NewsHour
and just to remind you, at $10 a month,
you get the Wisconsin, the PBS Wisconsin winter hat,
which is really adorable, and keeping you warm.
$12 a month, you get this great, the U.S. Constitution
and other writings.
This is a true keepsake.
One to share with your family, especially with the holidays
coming up.
You know, kids in history need to learn this, and civics.
If you call at $15 a month, you get this wonderful cup of sunshine,
our PBS Wisconsin mug with our native plants in front,
or PBS Wisconsin on the other side.
$20 a month, you get the PBS Wisconsin hat,
you get the book on the Constitution,
you get the mug, as well as airwaves.
But it starts with your call, and our volunteers are waiting
to talk to you at 1-800-236-3636.
And it is a challenge break.
It's a challenge break for Giving Tuesday.
Show your support for PBS NewsHour.
We're having a little bit of fun in the studio today with Bucky.
We're going to go back to Bucky.
I think he's got some things he wants to share with you.
But the NewsHour is serious business.
We expect you to tune in to NewsHour regularly.
Show your support for NewsHour.
Help us keep this service here with you.
I also want to say thank you to donors who give in another way,
the members of our Heritage Society, those members who have included
us in their wills and their estate plans.
That kind of giving is so important to our future to keep PBS Wisconsin
here for generations to come.
Become a member, become a sustainer, become a member of the Heritage
Society, go online or give us a call at 1-800-236-3636.
So, Bucky, I have a very important question for you.
Do you think the viewers at home should be giving money to PBS
Wisconsin tonight?
I know.
Yes?
Okay.
We're thinking about it?
I think yes, though.
And I think this is the time to do it because it is a challenge
break, right?
So, Bucky, help me with the math here.
If they donate and that donation is matched, how much is that?
That's, yeah, well, let's see.
I think it's twice as much money for PBS Wisconsin.
It's seven times as much money, says Bucky.
We'll work on the math on that one, but what's important is that you
give us a call 1-800-236-3636 and now back to the news.
Thank you.
Thanks.
I'm still wired.
Thank you, great.
You sounded great on it.
You do me, do me.
Real quick, let's just talk about what we're going to talk about.
I was thinking, first we can just say, what drew you to working on this project?
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Anything you want to fill in there?
And then I was thinking for a second question, she didn't feel the same way,
so I want to get your take, asking whether you ever considered being bucky
and what made you do it or not, you know, try for it or not, try for it.
Yeah, yeah, we're going to do that.
Okay.
And I think the things that I'd like to touch on, because we're talking people in Wisconsin,
just PBS in the very Wisconsin time, right?
And so we're all about celebrating Wisconsin touch based on, like, you know,
you kind of made Wisconsin your brand kind of your brand.
So like, what is it about Wisconsin?
People resonate with this, like, all over the place.
What is about Wisconsin that you think people really connect with?
Yeah.
You know, so like, what's at the heart of, you know, Wisconsin, you know,
the Wisconsin brand that people kind of connect with brand feels like a weird
nonsense thing to say.
Well, okay, so what is the Wisconsin version of the word brand?
The idea.
Well, there you go.
Because, you know, that's the whole Wisconsin idea.
What is it?
What is it that people seem to really like?
There he is.
It's a little funky in the fur.
He has.
Doing good.
Ooh.
Can I do a picture with all three of us?
Yeah, you want to do it?
Because that would be amazing.
Yeah, we got a good one.
Oh, man.
Okay.
Afterwards, afterwards.
This first time around, though, I'll go first.
When we set this up, the first time around, though, and you're asking about,
like, you know, what, so why did you get, why did you decide to get involved
with this project?
That's a set up for you also talk about being at UW.
Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
So, I, we, we, we can do, we, we can do just that one question that first minute,
and then we'll do the other two questions in the second minute.
Okay.
Yeah.
My second.
Yeah.
The logistical matter.
All right.
So, you're starting with me.
In the middle of the show.
It's my cue.
And you're in.
We're all here.
Okay.
After the camera comes over to Eric, we want it over to go into.
And then you're going to me.
And then you're going to help Linda.
Yeah.
Little you.
Give you a round of your.
Awesome.
We'll do this.
Give you a round of applause.
Thank you for watching.
Hi, I'm David Hoffer to volunteer here at PBS Wisconsin joined by no other than Buckingham
U Badger, the subject of tonight's program, and we together, I think I can speak for
you if I may, are here to ask you to help PBS Wisconsin produce local programming like
you're watching tonight by making a pledge of financial support.
Number is there on the bottom of your screen, 1-800-236-3636, and here's the simple reality.
No other television station would ever have been able or willing to make a documentary
about you.
I guess it's not really a documentary, it's a biography, right?
This must be bringing up all sorts of memories for you.
I heard a rumor that Bucky doesn't like me to tell, but just between friends that he's
85 years old.
So imagine the content that is yet to come in tonight's broadcast.
What we need you to do in the meantime is to give us a call 1-800-236-3636.
Hi, I'm Linda Berman, a volunteer here at PBS Wisconsin, and it is an honor and a joy
and so much fun to be here with Bucky and other special guests who you'll see shortly.
But the most important thing is you pledge your support right now.
We've got wonderful volunteers here in the studio waiting to talk to you and to explain
what wonderful gifts we have for you.
If you call it the $10 a month level, you can get the Bucky DVD.
The program you're watching now is a Blu-ray or NDVD combination.
At $12 a month, we have this adorable 10-inch mini-bucky.
I mean, this is a child's dream because you can carry it around, it's not going to overshadow
the child.
$15 a month, we have this incredible sweatshirt, iHeartPBS, but it's the heart is Wisconsin.
So you know where your heart is and our heart is too.
Now I want to explain that at $25 a month, you can get the DVDs, you can get the plush
Bucky, as well as the sweatshirt.
We also have something special because we know that the story of Bucky is one you want
to share with your family, but it's like no, we can give you five copies so you can
give these as holiday gifts to your friends because the story of Bucky, all ages from
kids to people my age, even enjoy hearing about Bucky.
So this is a great opportunity, but it starts with your call 1-800-236-3636.
Hi, I'm Eric Reiling, I'm the Director of Friends at PBS Wisconsin.
Bucky Badger is Iconically Wisconsin and just like David said, we here at PBS Wisconsin
are here to explore all of Wisconsin as thoroughly as we can to highlight this, to share it with
you, to find the iconic things that are so much Wisconsin, whether that's food traditions
or culture or history or natural beauty, we're here to share that with you.
But it depends upon your support and one of the best ways you can support is by becoming
a sustainer.
Being a sustainer just means you sign up to make an automatic monthly gift, it continues
as long as you want it to, and you have the knowledge that you are supporting PBS Wisconsin
month after month, allowing us to bring you programs like this.
Become a sustainer today by going online or giving us a call and support programs like
this.
Let us say thank you with one of the wonderful gifts that Linda shared with you, please
give us a call at 1-800-236-3636.
So let's talk for a moment about why it matters that you call and make a pledge.
As you're probably aware, federal funding for public media has recently gone away, and
in the case of PBS Wisconsin, that's several million dollars that we now have to account
for differently in budgeting here at the station.
Now I'm just a volunteer here, but I can tell you, talking to the staff, what hasn't
gone away is the sense of mission or the devotion to the work.
But senior leadership are making tough decisions right now.
For example, how much of the budget goes to acquiring and distributing the national PBS
broadcast that you appreciate, and how much can we devote to making truly hyper-local
programming like this for you?
So when you call, you are stating your values, you're voting with your dollar, you're saying,
I want more programs like these homemade documentaries.
That's why you should call 1-800-236-3636.
And who best to tell you about the story of Bucky is the one and only Bucky, yes.
And this is the story of Bucky.
At $10 a month, we can get this wonderful DVD blue ray of the story of Bucky.
That's your opportunity.
At $12 a month, you can get a mini Bucky, a 10-inch Bucky, like little Bucky here and
big Bucky here, but you only get the little one for $12 a month, I'm sorry, yeah, that's
it.
At $10 a month, you get the sweatshirt, which we have online, iHeart, PBS Wisconsin, and
that's of course, yes, I know, you do too, you heart, I love it.
At $25 a month, you can get baby Bucky, you can get the DVD, you can also get the sweatshirt.
Now for those who want the story of you to share with their family, at $20 a month, you
can get five of these, five.
Can you count them?
One, two, three, four, five, no, I think you passed that, it's okay, five.
It's right Bucky, it's been a big night for you, it's very exciting, but if you call right
now, Bucky will even sign our airwaves magazine, so this better be at the $25 a month, Bucky
will autograph the airwaves magazine, right Bucky?
That's right, but you have to start with $1,800, 236, 36, 36.
Just like David told you, we are facing some challenging times here at PBS Wisconsin with
the elimination of federal funding, but there is a bright spot.
It is the generosity of viewers like you who have called us, who have written to us, who
have gone online and said what PBS Wisconsin brings to their homes, to their communities
matters, the programs like this about Wisconsin for Wisconsin matter, and we can do this together.
We are here to stay, but we're here to stay because of your support, your generosity.
Whether you're a new member calling in for the first time saying this matters, I like
programs like this, I like the work that you do here at PBS Wisconsin, it matters in our
community.
Maybe it's the work that we do that goes beyond the broadcast, our education work, the work
we do to maintain emergency alert systems all around the state.
All of that matters, and all of it is because of you.
If you're already a sustainer or a member, a generous donor, please consider giving us
an additional gift during this break, during this program.
We can say thank you with some of the lovely gifts that Linda mentioned, and it all starts
with your call to our volunteers, 1-800-236-3636.
It is now my distinct honor to be on set with Charlie Behrens, you may know him as the creator
of The Minute to Walk Minute.
You may know him as the narrator of this documentary tonight.
Charlie, on behalf of all the folks here at PBS Wisconsin, we were so thrilled when you
agreed to be the narrator for this program.
But I'm a fan of yours, I'm a little starstruck actually right now.
Oh, that's great.
Thank you.
You're a busy guy.
So of all the things you can be working on, what drew you to working on this program
in particular?
Well, for starters, right here, okay.
Do I get the donation, donate, ten bucks, ten bucks, right?
I think it's ten bucks a month.
Ten bucks a month.
Totally worth it.
Very soft.
But you know, I went to school here, and I did the commencement, which was really cool.
And you know, if they let me do the commencement, you just, you gotta do whatever they ask
after that.
Whatever they ask.
Well, that's good.
Let's keep that in mind, folks.
Yeah.
He's on the hook now.
I am.
Absolutely.
Only ten bucks a month, you guys.
Come on.
Okay.
With twelve, that's a different story.
But you know, I think it's still a good deal.
So what I did there?
I do.
I think everything else is a good deal, too, right?
Yeah.
You know what?
I think it's a good deal.
It's a hundred dollars a month.
A hundred dollars.
Guys, go get the WD-40.
Spray it on your wallet.
Let the credit card come slide them right out.
You won't regret it.
I promise you that.
I really do.
So, okay.
Here's a question for you.
You're about the same height as I am, which means...
Six-f-one.
Well, okay.
Fine.
You win.
Which means that you would have been eligible to be Bucky Badger.
Did you ever look into that?
I did.
I had ambitions of being a Bucky Badger.
What held you back?
Or were you?
I mean, maybe you weren't.
No.
Pretty much laziness, procrastination that got in the way.
Sure.
But I...
So when you look at Bucky out there, you know that he put one foot in front of the other.
Yeah.
And also, I couldn't do enough push-ups.
Oh, yeah.
Yeah.
Well, we'll talk more about push-ups in a moment.
But give us a call 1-800-236-3636.
So right now, it's an opportunity to call our volunteers who are on the phone banks and
Bucky Badger's back there, helping them, is what we could say.
At $10 a month, you can get the Bucky DVD, which is the wonderful story in history, narrated
by Charlie Barons.
At $12 a month, you can get the 10-inch Bucky plush toy, and it is adorable.
At $15 a month, we have the sweatshirt.
I...
It's the state of Wisconsin with the heart PBS, because we love PBS Wisconsin.
At $25 a month, you can get them all.
You can get the Blu-ray DVD story.
You can get the plush Bucky.
You can also get the sweatshirt.
Now, at $20 a month, you can get five.
This is real special.
Five of the 10...
Five of the...
Excuse me.
Of the DVD Blu-rays.
This is so that you can share them and give them as gifts, because no one's going to be
happy with just one.
Because everybody's going to want to see it.
This way you can give everybody their own.
Now, you can use the QR code with your phone on the screen now, or talk to our volunteers.
They're wonderful and they're busy with Bucky, but I'm sure they'll talk to you at 1-800-236-3636.
So many great ways for us to say thank you to you when you make your call and become a
member or add to your membership.
So many ways to feel good about giving from knowing that you're doing your part to support
PBS Wisconsin and keep this service alive, let's keep PBS Wisconsin strong together.
Maybe it's the sensation of you responding to Charlie Barron's call to go ahead and give
$100 a month, WD-40 that credit card, and give us a call, go online, use the QR code.
The important thing is that you give now, give during this show, and show your generosity
for the work what we do.
We have so many ways to say thank you.
And all of the gift levels that Linda described, we'll say thank you with a subscription to
our Airways Magazine, and you'll have access to Passport, a deep catalog of additional
programming that's available to you when you use that PBS app on any of your devices.
Give us a call, 1-800-236-3636.
So Charlie, you've talked some about how actually your accent was a hindrance in the beginning
of your career going into news, but then you've clearly turned it into an asset.
And there's clearly something about Wisconsin people, Wisconsin ideas that resonates.
How would you say Wisconsin fits into the broader landscape of the world?
Oh my gosh, everyone wants to be us for starters, and they just didn't know it yet, or they
don't.
Well, as soon as you kind of see, especially where Bucky comes from, it's hard to not
want to be right here spending $12 a month on this beautiful toy.
See, I got you.
See?
Yeah, okay, there we go.
No, but I mean, I went to school here, and you do have the Wisconsin idea, the idea of
helping others and moving things forward.
And forward, we got that in the whole slogan there on the stage.
You said Wisconsin idea and forward in one?
I got them all.
You're doing great.
No, $13.
No, guys.
No, but it's just, it's an honor to like be part of this thing, and we have great sense
of humor here too, because we don't take ourselves too seriously.
I mean, you know, we are cheeseheads to baptisms here, you know?
So I think that's part, well, I do anyways, but I think that's part of it.
We just have fun, and we care about people, and we take care of each other.
So do me a favor, go put on your cheesehead and then call 1-800-236-3636.
And we'll take another look at the wonderful thank you gifts we have before we get back
to seeing Bucky's story.
And just to remind you, it's an opportunity, you can use your QR code, you can go online.
But we are here in the studio with our wonderful volunteers.
So at $10 a month, you can get the DVD Blu-ray, the story of Bucky.
It is narrated by Charlie Barens.
At $12 a month, we have the wonderful Bucky plush toy.
At $15 a month, you can get the sweatshirt.
At $25 a month, you can get all of those.
At $20 a month, it seems backwards, you can get five of the DVDs.
But most importantly, you are going to get your airwaves magazine with no matter what
level you pledge at.
This is a great opportunity for you.
We are having so much fun here, and Bucky keeps walking around the studio.
You never know where Bucky's going to be.
Here it comes, Bucky.
Bucky, come on up.
Okay, here's Bucky.
We're going to say give us a call right now at 1-800-236-3636.
Well Charlie, thank you so much for joining us here, and congratulations on an incredible
documentary.
Bucky, thank you for being here.
We're going back to see more, and I hope you enjoy, and I hope that you call and give
us a pledge of support.
Thank you.
Bye.
Rosanne Donovan has always been the life of the party. My personality is animated. What?
I think if he would ask anyone from back in the day or my current students everyone would
say the same thing loud energetic emotional in the fall of 1978
and just joyful after graduating Roseanne's reign as
Bucky came to an end but she always remained a badger at heart when I see
Bucky now oh my gosh I did that it is kind of hard to believe yeah that was
really amazing that was really amazing
you
yeah
that
You just kind of have to move your hands and hope for the best, simply know
however job like this I can think of the most important thing I think is to have
fun
And then it's like you forget about all of that hard work and you're like wow like this
is what it comes down to at the end.
The people that work here are just amazing.
It's the reason why I come back every day, it's the reason why I have a smile on my face,
it's the reason why I love coming to work because it's a great group of people and we
get to make some really fun stuff.
I don't know what to use.
I don't know what to use, I don't know what to use, I don't know what to use, I don't know
what to use, I don't know what to use, I don't know what to use, I don't know what to use,
I don't know what to use, I don't know what to use, I don't know what to use, I don't know what
to use, I don't know what to use, I don't know what to use, I don't know what to use,
You can bring your Bucky with you then.
Hi, I'm David Hofford a volunteer here at PBS Wisconsin and we have just concluded watching
the Bucky documentary, I hope you appreciated it as much as I did, it really gave me an
appreciation for Bucky, but also this may be like a taboo topic, but for the people behind
Bucky or inside Bucky or however you want to think about that, but the people who bring
this to life, right? And I think understanding their stories and understanding the cultural
impact of this icon that we have in our state is really meaningful and it's really personal
for a lot of us in Wisconsin. So my ask of you is that if this meant something to you
that you make a pledge of financial support, tell the staff at PBS Wisconsin that local
programming like this matters to you. The numbers there on your screen, 1-800-236-3636.
Hi, I'm Linda Berman and this has been an thrilling evening. Being with Bucky Badger
and just watching the story and the history of Bucky, I'm a second generation, my son
is a third generation Badger and this is the kind of program that I want to share with
them and at $10 a month, this wonderful DVD Blu-ray is one I am going to share with them.
At $12 a month, we have this adorable 10-inch little Bucky Badger, this plush toy. Children
all ages, including 70s, 80s, and 90s, would still like this. $15 a month, we have the
iHeart, which is the state of Wisconsin PBS because PBS Wisconsin is the heart of our
state. At $25 a month, you get all of them. You get the DVD, you get the little plush
toy, you get the sweatshirt. Now, we have a special at $20 a month and it sounds like
why we're going backwards. You can get five copies of the DVD so you can share them. You
can give them as gifts. The holidays are coming. This is your opportunity to let everybody
enjoy the story of Bucky. But the most important thing you should know is that it all starts
with you and your call. This very special production. We even have a special feature
for you coming up. But the most important thing is your pledge of support. So you can
do that right now at 1-800-236-3636.
Hi I'm Eric Reiling. I'm Director of Friends of PBS Wisconsin. We want to say thank you
to you when you make your call, when you show your pledge of support. And this is a member
challenge break. That means if you call in and offer your support as a member, a new
member, your gift can go twice as far thanks to the support of existing members of PBS
Wisconsin. So show your support for this kind of programming. Wisconsin programming, that's
fun, that's poignant, that matters. Let us say thank you with one of these wonderful
member gifts. And also know that during this member challenge break, your gift goes even
further. We want to hit 50 gifts during this pledge break. And we've got some really
special treats for you. So stick with us. We've got guests. We've got special encore,
additional footage to share with you. I also want to thank our producers of this program.
Grant Fenster, John Hornbacher. Programs like this take months, sometimes even years to
work. We actively choose to make them for you. And your support is what makes it possible.
Take advantage of this challenge break. Take advantage of saying we like Bucky. Let us
say thank you with these gifts. Starts with your call 1-800-236-3636. And indeed, there
is actually more coming. We've finished the official documentary, but during this challenge
break, we're going to show you some bonus footage that we've put together highlighting
Roseanne Donovan, who you saw in the documentary. So stay tuned for that. I mentioned earlier
the importance of local programming and how only PBS Wisconsin would have made a documentary
like the one you've been watching tonight. Well, there's more to come, right? The producers
here are already working on Wisconsin hometown stories, John McGivron, Jerry Apps, all those
programs that you have come to expect and rely on and they're made possible by your donations.
We are up to eight calls during this challenge break. Now is the time to join them. 1-800-236-3636.
Oh, we're having our own challenge break here. We know, no, no Bucky, no, no. Now we
know you're going to call in and pledge your support. This is the challenge break more than
just an arm wrestling challenge. I have to say, yeah, okay, you won. It's a great opportunity
to know that tonight we are just so honored. We have Roseanne Donovan coming. The producers
saw this documentary in the works making and said, wait, there's some special things we
need to go back to. There are special people we need to interview and that is coming up.
But I want to remind you at $10 a month, you can get the story of Bucky, right? On the
DVD, you and the history of Bucky. At $12 a month, you get little Bucky. It's a plush
toy. You can see even Bucky, it's beloved for Bucky. $15 a month, you get the sweatshirt,
I heart Wisconsin in PBS because PBS Wisconsin is in my heart and has been for the last 49
years. Yes. And I want to say at $25 a month, you can get the little Bucky. You can get
the DVD. You can get the sweatshirt with all pledges. You will also get airwaves with Bucky
on the cover, yes, for this month. And remind you at $20 a month, you can get five of the
DVDs. Oh, hi, Bucky. Bucky likes my sweatshirt because I'm wearing your face. Yes. But you
can call and pledge and have five DVDs to share with your family to give them as wonderful
gifts. Remember to challenge break, we're at 10 calls now, we know we can get more. This
is the time we've got Bucky Badger is going to go back to the phone, but you can call
us. I don't know if Bucky will say much, but he's saying call now 1-800-236-3636.
Some great and unique ways for us to say thank you when you call with your pledge of
support during this program or go online, use that QR code that's on your screen to
make a gift of support for this program right now. We can say thank you with these unique
gifts for this unique program and it is a challenge break. We want you to call in now
so that you take advantage of that challenge and your gift can go even further. We're on
our way towards our goal of 50 calls during this break. If you don't get through right
away, please be patient. Our volunteers are doing their best to keep up. Go ahead and
go online if you like. And just know that we do depend upon you to bring you programs
like this, programs that celebrate Wisconsin, programs that unite us together, but also
reveal some of the poignancy behind a story we thought we knew going even deeper with
Bucky. We want to say thank you, but we need your support. We're going through some challenging
times here, but we are committed to continuing to bring stories like this about Wisconsin,
for Wisconsin, and we can stay strong together. It starts with your support using that QR
code going online or giving us a call at 1-800-236-3636. Linda's been talking about
some of the great thank you gifts that are available to you when you call 1-800-236-3636.
Remember, there are other benefits as well. Any of the levels that Linda's been talking
about comes with Airwaves Magazine, your monthly program guide. I don't know about you, but
it's getting harder and harder just to get a simple TV guide of what's going to be on
coming up, but you know what? The one that matters is PBS Wisconsin, and that one comes
to your mail. And also PBS Passport, where you can go get on demand programming through
your streaming device, programs that are on air, programs that are not on air, or haven't
on air for a long time. All of those are additional member benefits. And of course,
really, what matters here is the feeling you get of being a supporter, being a member
of PBS Wisconsin, making all of this possible for you and your family and your neighbors
and the entire Wisconsin community. Give us a call 1-800-236-3636.
And I just want to remind you, at $10 a month, you have the DVD of the story you're watching
now, the history, the story behind, and all the wonderfulness of being Bucky Badger.
$12 a month, we have the 10-inch adorable little plush Bucky, and we got big Bucky seal
of approval. $15 a month, we have this wonderful sweater. I want to say something about it.
It is navy, and it's got raglan sleeves. It is unisex, it's got a slim fit, but it can
also have a looser fit. Make sure you talk to your volunteer to ask more about that.
At the $25 a month level, you get all of these wonderful gifts of DVD, you get the plush
Bucky, you get the sweater, and of course, you get Airways Magazine with every pledge
of support. Now, I just want to let you know what's coming
up. We have a very special feature, and we've been tantalizing you with this. As I said,
the producers saw absolutely wonderfulness out of Roseanne Donovan and her story, and
this is something we're sharing with you. She has not seen it yet. This was literally
just finished, so you get to see the premiere of this. It's a very short little documentary,
but it's something you're going to so enjoy. So please stay tuned. This very special feature
is coming up right now, so stay, but you can give us a call as soon as it's over. Stay
watching, because this is something special.
Roseanne Donovan has always been the life of the party.
My personality is animated. I think if you would ask anyone from back in the day or
my current students, everyone would say the same thing. Loud, energetic, emotional.
In the fall of 1978, Roseanne and her over-the-top personality enrolled at the University of
Wisconsin-Madison, officially becoming a badger.
Did I have any concept of what was to come? I certainly did not.
Roseanne pledged a sorority and reveled in Greek social life, yet she was on the hunt
for more adventure. Many of my friends, my sorority sisters and some of our guy friends,
were in fraternities and they all happened to be cheerleaders and just talked about how
much fun they had and game days and getting to do all kinds of fabulous things.
But a suggestion from a friend would soon change the course of Roseanne's college life.
One of the guys said, well, Roseanne, why don't you try out for Bucky?
And I'm like, well Bucky, I can't try out for Bucky. Bucky's a guy.
He said, no, I don't think it says anywhere that it has to be a guy. You just have to
be tall enough. And I'm like, oh my gosh, I'm going to do that.
In the spring of 1981, Roseanne dug into preparations for the Bucky Badger tryouts.
I thought if I'm going to go for it, I'm going to go for it.
Roseanne brought her fighting Badger spirit to the audition and a little something extra.
One of the judges, like on cue, said, well, you know, one of the traditions is that Bucky
goes to the opposing side and, you know, picks up one of the cheerleaders. And I just looked
at him and said, wait, right here. I run over to the door. I fling the door open. There's
my roommate, Kelly. I hoist her up and run around the room and she's cheering go Badgers.
I think the panel of judges just really, what in the world just happened?
The group of aspiring Bucky's waited in the bleachers for the judges verdict. You know,
ooh, drum roll. And they announced the first guy. His name was Mike Matthias. And it ends
today. Way to go. And people are screaming and cheering and all this. And our second
Bucky Badger for the 1981-82 season is Roseanne Pommasano. Dead silence. And I just remember
like walking out like, what in the world just happened?
Turns out Roseanne had just joined an exclusive Badger club. As far as I know, I am the first
woman who has gotten the honor to play Bucky Badger. Roseanne was soon relishing that honor
as Wisconsin's furry, big-headed mascot. When you are Bucky, you are truly a celebrity
around here. People busted out in our screaming Bucky. And they have photo op, you know, the
little one looking up and winding an autograph. And just to see the faces light up was really,
was really amazing. Roseanne spent her senior year at UW becoming Bucky for basketball and
hockey games and at countless other memorable events. I think my favorite part about being Bucky
was that every time I put that suit on, it was going to be a different experience. Whether it was
at a game, a big win, or a heartbreaking loss, or it was a parade to see kids excited and screaming,
it was always something fun and uplifting and just joyful.
After graduating, Roseanne's reign as Bucky came to an end, but she always remained a Badger at heart.
When I see Bucky now, oh my gosh, I did that. It is kind of hard to believe. Yeah, that was really
amazing. That was really amazing. And we are back still in the middle of a challenge break,
still with an opportunity to have your money doubled. But I have standing with me now, the one,
the only Roseanne Donovan, the very first female Bucky Badger. Thank you so much for joining us.
You're welcome, boy. It's an honor to be here. We heard you say in that in that clip that, you
know, I can't be Bucky. Bucky's a guy. How did you get over that hump to actually go and try out?
You know, I think for anybody who knows my personality, that just was a challenge. When
somebody was like, Bucky's a guy, but like, really? And then when I investigated, it was like, well,
no, it doesn't say anywhere. Just have to be tall enough. And I'm 5'9", I was tall enough.
And so kind of on a dare, I did it. And here we are. Here we are. So what was it like? I mean,
both to be Bucky and also to be this kind of groundbreaking Bucky.
You know, I think to be Bucky at the time, I didn't fully appreciate what a big deal it was.
And I'm learning more and more. And even through this journey, being the first female and the
response I have gotten, just at some of our events, it is a big deal. It is a big deal. And
just really, really a fun part of my college experience. And, you know, when I was a teacher
educated for 43 years, so I performed. I like being in front of a crowd. And so it all fits.
Anybody who knows me, like this tracks, this is not a surprise.
Did your students know that you were once Bucky? Were you able to reveal your
secret identity? During, no. While I was Bucky, no. But after when I went into the classroom,
that was always one of the very fun things that I got to share with students. I would always do
kind of an opening circle and what's something, an interesting fact about yourself. And students
would share, you know, I was homecoming queen or I broke a football record. And I would say,
wait for it. Yeah, right. Well, we're going to have more from Rosanna in just a moment,
but give us a call 1-800-236-3636. And just want to remind everybody that you will get airwaves
magazine with no matter where you, Bucky, you need to turn it upside the other way. There,
you can get your airwaves magazine. And we are so happy to say that with every pledge of support,
you will get the story of Bucky. You will get the airwaves magazine. You can read it upside down.
You will get the great plush little, I've got two Bucky's here. Yeah, you and this one. Yeah,
the plush toy. And that's $12 a month. $15 a month, you get the adorable sweatshirt I,
heart Wisconsin, is perfect. Not to worry. $25 a month, you can get everything, the whole package,
the DVD, the plush little Bucky, the beautiful sweatshirt. And at $20 a month,
you can get five copies of the DVD so that you can give them as gifts. Now, this is a challenge
break Bucky. No, you can't eat it. Challenge break Bucky. How many calls do we have right now?
47 calls. We know we can get at least 50 before the break's over. This is an opportunity to double
the money. So give us a call 1-800-236-3636. Thank you, Linda. It is a challenge break and
we're on our way. Our volunteers are super busy on the phone. If you call in 1-800-236-3636,
be patient. We'll get to you or go online to pbswisconsin.org or use that QR code on your screen. When you do,
it will pull up the gifts for you and you can see right there and you can choose. And speaking of
choosing, you don't have to choose between a DVD and a Blu-ray because when you select a DVD
as your thank-you gift, we'll include both a DVD and a Blu-ray. And that's true with the five
set DVD Blu-ray as well. At $20 a month, five DVDs and Blu-rays, that's five each DVD and Blu-ray.
So you don't have to choose whether it's a DVD or a Blu-ray and it gives you opportunity
to share Bucky as a gift. So if you've got a lot of badges in your lives,
it's a lot of gifts you can share out. If you have people who are associated with other mascots,
you can send them to Bucky DVD and let them know what really matters and what are the best mascot
in the country is really like and the behind-the-scenes story. So QR code, go online, give us a call,
let us say thank you to you for your support. It's a challenge break. We've exceeded our goal
and we're going to keep going. So please do give us call 1-800-236-3636.
You know, Eric, it's funny you mentioned that because I was actually sitting at lunch today
at work with a colleague who it turns out was a different big 10 mascot. We will not name the
school because that's not what matters right now. I still have with me Rosanne Donovan and
Rosanne, what was the most memorable experience you had as Bucky Badger?
You know what? I think probably there were two. I think the coolest was filming a commercial
back in the day and it was for a car dealership. I don't remember which one so sorry out there
but I actually filmed it with a live Badger. And under the costume they had me all like with
these sleeves protective sleeves on because of the claws and this gigantic Badger running
around Camp Randall. So that was probably the coolest. The most memorable would have been getting
to start the first Crazy Legs race. The first one, okay. And we didn't know at the time it was
going to be an annual event. I think now it's on number 45. So it's been a while. And I actually
got a letter from Arleigh Mux thanking me for starting that first race. So that was pretty cool.
So here you are a Bucky alumni. I mean do you stay in touch? Is this a community that forms?
Not all of them were your year. Right. And I think because I was the only female that I know of,
I do think there is a community. This has really brought me closer and in touch with many. I plan
to play in the Bucky Open golf voting next year. So a reason to up my game a little bit.
But it's just been a really fabulous experience. Thank you so much for being with us. And we are
going to ask you to call 1-800-236-3636 and keep those calls coming. Come on Gamma Fives and Fiji's
call. And I just want to show you our little plush Bucky and oh! See what your calls are doing.
It's made Bucky stand on his head. If plush Bucky can do it, so could big Bucky. So your calls are
so important. There are 55 calls now you can see it. We know we can get, we're going to go to 70.
This is such an exciting evening. Being here with the Bucky's is outstanding. And it's your
opportunity to call so you can get the Bucky DVD. And if I talk fast enough he'll stay on his head.
Ten dollars a month you can get the DVD CD all at once. At $15 a month you get the plush Bucky who
right here is standing on his head. At $15 a month you get the sweatshirt, the blue sweatshirt,
I Wisconsin heart. PBS Wisconsin, $25 a month you get the sweatshirt, the Bucky, the DVD,
$20 a month you get the five pack of the DVDs. Bucky's made it on his head show on that Bucky is
on his still on his head. Yay Bucky! But your calls will keep him there 1-800-236-3636.
The score is 57. That's going to be I think 57 pushups. Is that how that works?
At least 58 pushups. So please keep your calls coming 1-800-236-3636. Let's push that pushup count
up as far as we can go. And we want to say thank you to you. I also want to thank the donors who
gave to this project on the front end of it without knowing what it would look like. Without knowing
how much we could cover about Bucky's share about Bucky's share the history, the rich history,
the poignancy, and of course underscore the fact that we absolutely have the best mascot in the
country. Those donors really make this work possible. But so do you. Your gift of support makes a
huge difference. Together we can keep PBS Wisconsin strong. We will be here. Your gift will allow us
to continue to bring this kind of programming. Programming that focuses on Wisconsin. And
speaking of Wisconsin programming we've got another treat for you. Another story about mascots,
one from Wisconsin life. So we want to keep bringing you this programming. We're going to
share it with you now. Give us a call 1-800-236-3636.
You just kind of have to move your hands and hope for the best. Simply know every job like this I can
think of. The most important thing I think is to have fun.
So I'm a little bit like a super girl in a way.
You have everybody in the stadium looking at you and you just run out. It's a big responsibility I'd
say.
Olympus mascots was created at some point back in the 1960s. We have 250-ish total employees.
They reached out to me and they're like hey do you want to be a mascot so we're and I'm like
I have never heard of anything like that before so sure why not. We've probably done 25 to 30,000
mascots through the years. We did a forklift like a wearable forklift costume and it had the forks
in the front that just kind of went up and down and a hidden button on the other side for like
the backup noise. Full body roll that top to bottom. The racing sausages come through here.
We probably make new ones every I don't know five years. We're working on a very high profile
project right now that I can't tell you about. Most of our costumes are in between 60 to 120
hours with the average of them being probably in this 70 to 80 hour range. We consider like
the performer's activity level. We go a lot by like height range too to make sure it fits like
a certain height range of person. There's a lot of different aspects that I'll kind of go into it.
So when I see the picture I have to navigate how I'm going to make this a 3D thing. I
go on to the mannequin. I start measuring out things so that I know what the proportions are
so I know how to make something what it should look like on the form.
So a lot of it's fur. We refer tempo, double knit are probably the big ones that we use.
I particularly like when we do fur costumes just because it's cool to put different colors
together and different textures.
We work with hundreds of customers every single year, pro sports teams,
collegiate sports teams, restaurants, brands, different characters, you know represent everything
down to even elementary schools.
It's very strange sometimes to just be like watching a packer game or something and a
commercial comes on. It's like it gives me a certain level of pride and just like
this costume made it onto TV and looks pretty good.
Feels like art come to life like our art that we're working on here becomes this full-scale
realized thing.
And then it's like you forget about all of that hard work.
And you're like wow like this is what it comes down to at the end.
The people that work here are just amazing. It's the reason why I come back every day.
It's the reason why I have a smile on my face. It's the reason why I love coming to work
because it's a great group of people and we get to make some really fun stuff.
Wow this has been amazing. Bucky how many are our challenge break?
71 calls this is outstanding. This has just been an exciting evening. I just want to remind you
at $10 a month you get the story of Bucky the history. $12 a month you get the little
Bucky plush toy the 10-inch adorable toy. $15 a month you get the it's a blue sweatshirt that
says iHeartPBS and it's Wisconsin it's the heart. At $25 a month you get the Bucky story you get
the plush Bucky you get the shirt and at $20 a month you get the five pack of Bucky's.
This is great how about we're at 72 we can make 75 calls yes Bucky yes this is a great thing but
it starts with your call at 1-800-236-3636 take it away Bucky. And I just have so many thank you
to say thank you to all the volunteers on the phone bank tonight who have answered 73 calls
and counting thank you to Charlie Behrens thank you to Bucky Bucky Bucky Bucky Bucky Bucky Bucky
Bucky and Bucky and most importantly thank you to you thank you for making it possible for programs
like this to exist anywhere on your television dial at PBS Wisconsin it's all because of you
and it's not too late to be because of you in particular when you call 1-800-236-3636
and when you go to pbswisconsin.org there's even there's even a QR code on your screen if you
know how to work those things which frankly I sometimes I still can't figure it out but I bet
these guys know what they're doing what matters is that programs like this happen and we know that
you want them when you call that's that's your vote in all of it I mean when you remember you
also got a member survey but that's the vote that tells us that this is this is what matters to you
and it's and it's what makes public media right pbs public broadcasting service it's what makes
the public in public broadcasting so on behalf of so many people who they didn't give a microphone
to and that's why I'm still talking what what I'm asking you to do right now is give a call
and make a pledge of financial support the number again 1-800-236-3636 I'm surrounded by more
Bucky's than I will ever be in my entire life combined probably it's been quite a fun night
it's been a hectic night hectic because you've been calling we appreciate you so much and thank you
and and keep keep it coming thanks for your support
you