Radnor Studio 21 general manager George Strimel has made room in the weekly lineup for a new show focused on Italians and Italian-Americans. Ciao Bella Living Italian Style shares heritage, culture, traditions and foods, highlighting local and regional people, companies, and nonprofits. It premieres May 3.
During its spring season, the half-hour show will feature guests like the Philadelphia Munier Mandolin & Guitar Orchestra, rock ’n’ roll legend Charlie Gracie, Norristown Ambassador Hank Cisco, and the Daylesford Abbey community. The program also will include making pizzelles in the kitchen with family and friends, creating mosaics with 11th-generation family member Ron Odorico, ancestral music on the zampogna, “Miracles of the National Centre for Padre Pio,” and a special feature for Italian-American legend Al Alberts, highlighting Showcase alumni.
The premiere show features the Italian-American Giacchino family, whose roots are in South Philadelphia and who now live in Chester County and host their business, Carman Auto Group, in Delaware. Carman Auto Group also reaches into parts of Philly and the suburbs with its Fiat and Alfa Romeo products. In the show, the Giacchinos reveal who makes the best gravy in their family—will it be Mom or Grandmom?
Barbara Ann Zippi conceived, produces and hosts the show. She is the founder of the annual Italian American Heritage Festival at Rose Tree Park in Media, Pa., along with Linda Mattia Houldin. Zippi is a member of Broadcast Pioneers, past president of the Press Club Serving the Philadelphia Suburbs, contributing writer for the Italian-American Herald, and recipient of Filitalia International’s Humanitarian Award and Associazione Regionale Abruzzese Delco’s Person of the Year honor.
Ciao Bella Living Italian Style airs on Sundays at 7 p.m. on Radnor Studio Channel 21 for Verizon customers and limited zones on Comcast. It will repeat on Mondays at 1 a.m., 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. After the premiere airing, all episodes will be available on the studio’s YouTube channel. Check Facebook for updates.
Arrangements for season two are in development. If you have a program suggestion, would like to be a sponsor, or would like to see this show on your community, township, public or school cable-access station, email artemisproductions@juno.com. Radnor Studio 21 will make arrangements for it to be available in your neighborhood.