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What to Watch in June

Lisa Tipton
Jack Turner in Hotel Portofino. Photo: Eagle Eye Drama Limited 2021
'Hotel Portofino' follows a British family running a hotel in the Italian resort town of Portofino during the 1920s. Photo: Eagle Eye Drama Limited 2021

There's a huge amount of worthwhile TV out there nowadays, so it can be hard to choose what to watch. But who better to recommend shows than the person who programs them? Lisa Tipton, WTTW’s Head of Programming and Pledge, constructs the WTTW schedule by searching through offerings from many different sources which include the national PBS network, the BBC, and independent filmmakers to put together a varied and engaging broadcast schedule. Each month, she’ll recommend a few shows that she thinks you should watch.

You can also watch all of WTTW's programming via live stream 24/7 at wttw.com/live.

Hotel Portofino

Sundays beginning June 19 at 7:00 pm

Do you miss The Durrells in CorfuHotel Portofino is another show featuring Brits on the sunny Mediterranean: this time the Italian resort of Portofino, where the Ainsworth family has opened a fine hotel during the 1920s. But you also get a dash of mystery, as some crime darkens the blue skies. 

As always, we'll be recapping the series, so you can catch up on anything you miss! 

Endeavour

Sundays beginning June 19 at 8:00 pm


Now that we have the sad news that Endeavour will be ending after its ninth season, it gives us all the more reason to savor this penultimate season while we have it! There may only be three episodes, but they're worth enjoying (and maybe even rewatching).

You can catch up on previous seasons with our recaps or streaming, the latter if you're a WTTW Passport member. 

Jon Stewart: The Mark Twain Prize

Tuesday, June 21 at 9:00 pm

Jon Stewart receiving the Mark Twain Prize. Photo: Scott SuchmanJon Stewart is the recipient of this year's Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. Photo: Scott Suchman

The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor is finally back after a pandemic hiatus. This year, it honors Jon Stewart, who made his mark as a biting satirist on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. In the sure-to-be hilarious ceremony honoring him, everyone from Steve Carrell to Bruce Springsteen to Samantha Bee to previous Twain Prize recipient Dave Chappelle lines up to pay tribute.

Discover all the previous recipients of the Twain Prize. 

The Great American Recipe

Fridays beginning June 24 at 8:00 pm


PBS is celebrating home cooks and the diversity of culinary traditions in America in this exciting new cooking competition show, The Great American Recipe. One of the judges made his name as an innovative chef in Chicago: Graham Elliot. He spoke to us about the show.

WTTW is sharing recipes from Chicagoans in the spirit of the new show; check them out here. And don't miss our brand new food newsletter, Deep Dish!

Hiding in Plain Sight

Monday, June 27, and Tuesday, June 28 at 9:00 pm

This two-part program explores the mental health crisis facing America through the perspective of more than twenty young people who experienced mental health disorders. It's a difficult topic, but one that needs to be discussed more.