Portuguese-language Cable TV Show Comes to Boston

Shirley Farber is the host and producer of Portuguese-language "Bate Papo com Shirley" local-access cable TV show. Farber also publishes Bate Papo magazine. (Photo courtey of Shirley Farber)

Boston, Mass. – March 9, 2008 – Portuguese-language "Bate Papo com [Chat with] Shirley" local-access cable TV show is coming to Boston.

The show will air on BNN-TV (Boston community access TV) sometime in April, said a BNN-TV representative.

The one-hour talk show currently airs in 14 towns or cities in Massachusetts (see schedule below, scroll down).

"BATE PAPO com SHIRLEY" TV

Rio de Janeiro-native Farber started "Bate Papo" at Stoughton local-access TV in September of 2005, to fill a gap in the Brazilian community of Greater Boston.

Many Brazilian immigrants are "alienated" from the mainstream, she told New England Ethnic News.

"Brazilians [who don't know English] don't get news from American media. [That's why] it was important for me to do this show," she said.

She cited the spate of product recalls of children's toys in the past year, which she covered on her show.

Many Brazilians who tune in to only Portuguese-language media would never have known about the recalls, she said.

Public safety messages that non-English-speakers might miss are just one of many topics that get coverage on "Bate Papo."

Farber's one-hour talk show features "many informational interviews with a wide range of topics that...greatly benefit Brazilian and Portuguese residents," as her press release states.

Each show usually has four 15-minute segments with guests of diverse backgrounds.

In her next taping for the week of March 10, 2008, a Brazilian musician on the faculty of Berklee College of Music will perform with his jazz trio.

A Framingham-based Brazilian psychologist will talk about his research on depression in Brazilians.

Another segment will feature a married Brazilian-American couple who have a business together.

"BATE PAPO" MAGAZINE

In addition to her TV show, Farber publishes a bilingual Portuguese-English monthly magazine, also called "Bate Papo."

The free photo- and ad-filled magazine - with a circulation of 10,000, said Farber - is available in Brazilian and Portuguese businesses such as convenience stores, restaurants and money-wire outlets.

Unlike the TV show, the magazine's reach goes beyond Massachusetts, to Rhode Island and New Hampshire as well, said Farber.

The Feb. 2008 issue highlights Farber's trip to her native Rio de Janeiro, with photos and reflections, as well as a write-up on Sao Paulo Fashion Week.

Another feature profiles a Brazilian descendant whose ancesters immigrated from Switzerland in 1812.

Several photo stories or announcements cover the Brazilian community back in Massachusetts: events, immigration-related news and various persons or businesses, including an artist, theatre group, decorator and 650 AM radio station.

Farber says her TV show and magazine "take a lot of time" - she regularly travels all over Eastern Massachusetts to meet new persons and cover events - but the payoff is worth it.

It's important to the Portuguese communities to have a source of information for them, she said.

"BATE PAPO com SHIRLEY" TV SCHEDULE:

Brockton - channel 9 - Friday 6 pm

Cambridge - channel 22 - Tuesday 3 pm and Saturday 4 pm

Cape Cod - channel 17 - Saturday 4 pm

Stoughton - channel 9 - Monday 9 pm, Wednesday 4 pm and Thursday 5 pm

Easton - channel 9 - Monday 10 pm and Thursday 11 pm

Everett channel 3 - Monday 2 pm and Tuesday 11:30 pm

Fall River - channel 95 - Wednesday 11:30 pm

Framingham - Comcast channel 9 and RCN channel 3 - Thursday 9 pm, Friday 8 am and 2 pm

Lowell - schedule varies

Marlboro - channel 8 - Tuesday 10 pm and Thursday 5 pm

New Bedford - channel 95 - Tuesday 10 pm

Quincy - schedule varies

Somerville - channel 3 - Tuesday 10 pm

Taunton - channel 15 - Friday 9 pm

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source: EthnicNewz.org

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