A conversation with John McGivern

The We Energies Foundation is once again a sponsor of Milwaukee Public Television’s “Around the Corner with John McGivern,” now in its fifth season. The program follows McGivern as he explores life in a new community each week.

We caught up with McGivern at the Pewaukee, Wisconsin, preview event to discuss the latest season as well as our partnership with the program.

We Energies: Why is it so important to come back to the communities featured in the program and have a party?

John: It’s so funny, because the show has been on the air for five years. When we started the show, we thought we would be inspiring communities. We were foolish to believe that we were going to be the inspiration for communities. These communities are already inspired by what’s going on in their communities. The fact that we are able to show what goes on, we just highlight their inspiration. I think it’s important to have these previews because we introduce the people that took time to be in our show. We celebrate with the community. We thought of doing these community parties the first season and thought 45-50 people would show up. Now, a small event is probably 500 people, and we’ve had up to 1,300 people. It’s become an important part of our mission.

We Energies: The We Energies Foundation has been a proud sponsor of your program for a number of years now. We have a long tradition of serving the communities that are featured in this program, and we believe in your mission. What has our sponsorship meant to your mission?

John: Your sponsorship is really important. You have committed to our mission, which is community, and that is yours as well. I think we are a perfect fit, our show and We Energies. You have no idea how grateful we are that We Energies has committed to our show. We are proud to say [that], because of your commitment, we are able to continue [our mission].

We Energies: Do you think We Energies will ever be featured on “Around the Corner with John McGivern”?

John: Well, they better be! We should tour the We Energies building downtown. It really is something to see.

There are three more free community screening events coming up at which you can meet McGivern and watch the upcoming programs. See the schedule below.

Featured community	Community preview event	Television premiere date (Thursdays, 7 p.m.)
Green Bay	Titletown Brewing Company Monday, March 7, 6 p.m.	March 10
Milwaukee’s East North Avenue	The Oriental Theatre Monday, March 21, 7 p.m.	March 24
Baraboo	The Al. Ringling Theater Tuesday, March 29, 7 p.m.	March 31

More information about “Around the Corner with John McGivern” is available on the MPTV website.

The show airs Thursday evenings at 7 p.m. on Channel 10 and Sunday evenings at 7 p.m. on Channel 36 in Milwaukee. Re-airings are broadcast at the discretion of individual PBS stations throughout Wisconsin. Check local listing for dates and times in your area.