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 Get ready to go on a storytelling adventure! The popular LPB docuseries Why Louisiana Ain’t Mississippi… or Any Place Else! is coming to audiences in the Greater New Orleans Region and the Mississippi Gulf Coast thanks to a collaborative partnership with WYES-TV and WLAE-TV.  This two-part series explores Louisiana’s rich and diverse history, taking viewers from New Orleans to Natchitoches, exploring all the ways our state is unique and special.

Viewers in the New Orleans metro area and points South will have multiple opportunities to watch the acclaimed program with viewing options on both channels. The program premieres first on WYES-TV, with the four-hour program airing back-to-back on Saturday, February 4 from 7:00-11:00 PM. WLAE-TV will air the two-part series on consecutive nights, beginning Tuesday, February 7^th from 4:00-6:00 PM and Wednesday, February 8^th, also from 4:00-6:00 PM. Both stations are offering encore showings. Check local listings for details.

Produced by Louisiana Public Broadcasting (LPB) and created by Jay Dardenne, who also serves as host, Why Louisiana Ain’t Mississippi… or Any Place Else! takes an enjoyable look at the ways we’re just a little bit different than anywhere else, and more importantly, explains why.

“This mini-series has really resonated with LPB audiences across Louisiana, taking viewers on a stunning visual journey from the French Quarter to Ferriday, but it does so much more than that,” says Jason Viso, LPB Director of Programming. “It explores our collective history and culture, revealing facts that you may not have been aware of. Of course, a lot of that collective history and culture centers around New Orleans. LPB is pleased to have partners to bring this program to the Greater New Orleans Region and Mississippi Gulf Coast audiences.”

“Long before Ellis Island, the port of New Orleans was the gateway for hundreds of thousands of immigrants from every corner of the world, both those who came here willingly and those who were enslaved. As the series explores, it’s here that Louisiana’s human gumbo began, giving rise to the Big Easy’s incredible architecture, music, food and inimitable culture,” says LPB Executive Producer Linda Midgett.

Along with a diverse mix of eyewitnesses and experts who walk us through highpoints of Louisiana’s history, culture, and politics, LPB also enlisted a cast of Louisiana-born comedians to script and perform some of the humorous comedic re-creations. Noted-Louisiana storyteller and artist William Joyce worked on animations that appear throughout.

“It’s not going to be your traditional documentary,” says Jay Dardenne. “We’re going to talk about so many different facets of Louisiana and that’s really what got me so interested in learning more about how we’re so different.”

For more information, contact Colleen Spillane, Public Information Officer, Louisiana Public Broadcasting at (225)-767-4453 or 1-800-272-8161 ext. 4453 or by email at cspillane@lpb.org.

About Louisiana Public Broadcasting
Since 1975, Louisiana Public Broadcasting has been the public television network for the state of Louisiana with stations in Alexandria, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Monroe and Shreveport. LPB is also affiliated with WLAE-TV in New Orleans. In addition to its award-winning documentaries about the history and people of Louisiana, LPB is dedicated to helping children throughout the state develop their literacy, math and science skills through its numerous educational outreach programs.

Major production funding for Why Louisiana Ain’t Mississippi… or Any Place Else! is provided through the generous support of: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana, the Goldring Family Foundation, LWCC, Ochsner Health, and RoyOMartin. And by Lamar Advertising, Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana with the additional support of b1Bank. With special thanks to Lipsey’s/Haspel and All Star Automotive Group.