(brief hard rock music) (screen whooshing) (upbeat music) - Hey, it's Fred here, with Jim Edelman.

One of our favorite topics, of course, "Under the Radar Michigan," live event coming up.

The two of us are here, seems to be we're missing someone.

- Mustachio Marauder.

- He's gotta be somewhere.

(Jim chuckles) - Am I there?

Can you guys see me?

- [Jim] Daldin.

- [Fred] There you are.

- (laughs) Hi, you guys.

Hey, listen, sorry I couldn't be there.

A lot of people don't know this about me, but I recently purchased a modified food starch farm in Northeastern Lower West Michigan.

So, I'm devoting a lot of time to that, because the crops come in year round, I have great starch shirts.

So anyway, yeah, it's a lot of work, but that's why I can't be there, I apologize.

- Modified food starch farm.

- Yeah.

- Yeah, well, I got a- - It's just a farm though.

- I got a map here, I'm not sure where that is.

- He said Southwest Michigan.

- Yeah, you know, matter of fact, I have a copy for you.

- Oh, you do, thank you.

- So let's... - Well, food starch is very important.

And not only for your clothes, but for food.

And if you're having a barn dance, you sprinkle a little bit of it out on the floor, and boy, you're off to the races, so.

- You did some research on that.

(all chuckle) - Well, good to see you, buddy.

- That's his story, he's sticking to it.

- So- - Good to see you too.

- We got a wonderful and fun story, you may have heard it a time or two, 15-plus years on this on PBS stations crossed the state of Michigan.

Like any superheroes, there's an origin story, which I always love to tell and retell.

- Yeah, I mean, our origin story was two guys who lost their job and lost their incomes and punted.

And really, that's the amazing thing about this, is that something we thought was gonna be just a short-term fix, turned into a fantastic story.

(upbeat rock music) - And I have to say, Fred, God bless Detroit Public Television, because when we did punt, you guys were at the goalposts, and the arms went up, and you guys gave us this tremendous opportunity to share Michigan and our travels and adventures with the entire world.

So if it wasn't for Detroit Public Television, and PBS in general, the last bastion of intelligent television, we wouldn't be doing what we're doing today.

- Yeah, always have to invoke the name of Dan Alper in this conversation, 'cause he was really the lead on that from our end.

But yes, all of that happened.

The wonderful thing about your PBS station is, the business model is ridiculous.

So, in some ways we rely on, you know, I call it pixie dust, or magic.

And then Edelman and Daldin check in with that which you cannot create in a laboratory, that's for the magic, 'cause you guys have connected across the state for a decade and a half.

- Yeah, it is crazy because, you know, that magic was allowed to develop.

And I remember early on, we were kind of figuring it out, and- - Yeah, we didn't create it in a lab, it was more like a Petri dish, but anyway.

(Fred and Jim chuckles) But what we did was, we just came up with this idea, you guys gave us the green light, and I can't believe it's been 15 years now, we've been sharing our adventures with Michigan and beyond.

And that's why I'm so excited about this special event we're doing at the Baldwin Theater, at Stagecrafters, because we get to actually take our time, share stories, relive a lot of the craziness that we've been through with some of our closest new friends.

- Yeah, it's a lot of fun, we've sold out four or five now, the next one's coming up on June 10th, we'll have full details on that one.

- You know, one of the things that I like about this live event is that we don't know where it's gonna go.

You know, we have like three or four topics that we think are gonna come up, and we have little triggers of slides for those, but for the most part it just goes, and Tom says something that reminds me of something, and I say something that reminds Tom of something, and it's a conversation.

- [Fred] Yeah.

- I love how we surprise each other on stage with like, "I don't remember that story, you haven't told that story before."

And so yeah, it's new and different every time.

And you know, they say, "Don't ever let the truth stand in the way of a good story," (chuckles) so.

- Well, that's true.

That's true for Paul Harvey, and true for you fellows.

So, (Tom chuckles) all of that led to this incredible connection with audience.

And a public TV audience I suspect is different when they see you across the state, wherever you are, even if it sit in the grocery store, it's a friendly, appreciative, fun conversation.

Talk about what it is like to meet the folks, and what is the tenor of their tone, because I have to imagine it's a lot of fun.

- Well, I have to say that we're stopped constantly in public, but people are always polite, grateful, so eager to share their stories, and the things that they love about where they live or where they vacation.

And we get so many of our ideas and inspiration from people that we run into on the street, so.

I don't mean that, we didn't actually run into somebody, (Fred and Jim chuckle) But people are always so kind, and I think Jim will agree with me that the thing we love about what we do is really the people, that's what we love about what we do.

- Yeah, they're engaged in this show in a way that's not like just watching another show, because they know that there are ideas that they can give that get used, and you know, that's the fun thing.

- Yeah, it really is a symbiotic relationship between Detroit Public Television, the viewers and us, it's like we're one big family and we're all in this together, and we're all sharing what we love.

And it's a simple formula, but it sure seems to be working in spite of me.

(Jim chuckles) - Well, speaking of formulas, again, I always just love to illustrate this.

This event that we're putting on, the wonderful folks at Stagecrafters and the Baldwin theater donate the space.

We give them some free advertising, all to fill the room with donors, the content on stage you guys are bringing to the party, we're doing the fundraisers and distributing all of this stuff.

Again, not one donor dollar spent in the pursuit of this event.

Again, the business model, pixie dust.

- Yeah.

- It's magical.

- Very fiscally responsible.

- All right, speaking of fiscally responsible, Lauren Smith has a word, and a complete rundown of all the details of "Under The Radar Live!"

(upbeat music) - Calling all "Under The Radar Michigan" fans, join us right now and get your tickets for "Under The Radar Live!," a special member event hosted by Tom Daldin and Jim Edelman at the Baldwin Theater in Downtown Royal Oak.

Give now at the $60 giving level, and we'll say thank you with two tickets to "Under The Radar Live!

", featuring fun moments and memories from the show, clips, outtakes, and a special Q&A for "UTR" super fans.

Individual tickets are also available while they last.

Experience "Under The Radar Live!"

Wednesday, June 10th at 7:00 PM at The Baldwin.

Or give now at the $120 giving level and we'll say thank you with two tickets to the live event, plus a copy of their latest book, "Yet Another 50: Why Stop Now," the perfect travel guide for the whole state of Michigan.

But don't wait, tickets are going fast.

Call the number on the screen, text, or join online at detroitpbs.org, and we'll see you at the show.

(brief hard rock music) (cheerful music) - So much fun at the live event, which will sell out, so do not wait.

- Don't dawdle, do not dawdle.

- Now the aspect of it kind of being, as you guys love to say, live without Annette.

There are some things you're bringing to the event, most notably embarrassing photographs of yourselves and one another.

- That is true.

- [Tom] I've got Annette on the phone, she says she can make it this year.

- [Fred] Oh, fantastic.

(Fred and Jim chuckle) - Yeah, the embarrassing photographs, that's the, I guess problem, and also benefit of knowing someone as long as we've known each other, is there's so many photos, and you know, you just take them as, just like anyone on vacation.

In a way, we are on vacation in between the segments that we film, and we're always taking pictures when we're out there.

And I think that's really where, you know, you never know where they're gonna turn up, you never know in whose birthday message they may turn up on the Facebook.

So, it's really been kind of, almost like our vacation that we're sharing with people, 'cause there's the half hour on TV, but then there's 23 and a half hours in the rest of the day, and that's what we share on Facebook and social media.

- So much fun.

- And Jim and I are so approachable, I think people love finding out, because we're just a couple of regular guys that are just trying to share what we love and pay our mortgages.

And I think people love seeing pictures of us, and seeing that we are as dumb as we look.

(chuckles) - So you're still paying your mortgage, huh.

- Interesting.

- Yeah.

- Wait, what?

(Jim chuckles) - And my actually favorite part of our live shows are the Q&A selection at the end, because that always evokes all kinds of things that we haven't thought about, or that we didn't think we'd ever remember again.

Some of the stories that come up, we actually can't stop laughing on stage.

So yeah, that's my favorite part of the show.

- You two, I should state, when speaking of Mount Pleasant, are the only two humans that have spent at least a half an hour of television time searching for the mountain in Mount Pleasant.

(Jim chuckles) And I dig that about you.

- [Tim] Yeah, we did a whole thing where you look for the mountain.

- [Fred] Who would've thought?

- Actually, there is a pretty big bump there, we did climb to the top of their bump.

And I remember I had that can of oxygen, but I thought it was a can of oxygen I bought, but it was a can of whipped cream, which actually was a bonus when I got to the top, so, yeah.

- Well, this is the kind of thing, you know, that is the stuff you can't invent in a lab or create.

That is the magic of "Under the Radar Michigan."

We are gonna turn this into the three of us together, with the friends that the Baldwin Theater, are gonna turn this into a live event.

Tickets available, but they will go quick.

We sold out all of these events so far.

So the next one's June 10th, here's Lauren with more.

(upbeat music) - Calling all "Under The Radar Michigan" fans, join us right now, and get your tickets for "Under The Radar Live!," a special member event hosted by Tom Daldin and Jim Edelman at the Baldwin Theater in Downtown Royal Oak.

Give now at the $60 giving level, and we'll say thank you with two tickets to "Under The Radar Live!," featuring fun moments and memories from the show, clips, outtakes and a special Q&A for "UTR" super fans.

Individual tickets are also available while they last.

Experience "Under The Radar Live!"

Wednesday, June 10th at 7:00 PM at the Baldwin.

Or give now at the $120 giving level, and we'll say thank you with two tickets to the live event, plus a copy of their latest book, "Yet Another 50: Why Stop Now," the perfect travel guide for the whole state of Michigan.

But don't wait, tickets are going fast.

Call the number on the screen, text, or join online at detroitpbs.org, and we'll see you at the show.

(upbeat music) - [Announcer] Is there a program you'd like to watch again?

Maybe a performance you didn't get a chance to see?

Well, now you can, with PBS Passport, a terrific member benefit that lets you stream more than a thousand hours of PBS and local programming on your computer, or through the PBS app on your phone, tablet, smart TV or streaming device.

All your favorites, wherever, whenever you want.

And with your qualifying contribution, you'll help make the great programs on this station possible.

So reach out to the number on your screen, or go online, and get your PBS Passport today.

(upbeat music) - Make a gift now for as little as $6 a month, or $72 all at once, and we'll say thank you with the "Under The Radar Michigan" 15th anniversary mug, celebrating Tom and Jim's travels across the Great Lake State.

With a contribution of $8 a month, or $96 annually, we'll send you the "Under The Radar" cap, just like the one Tom wears on the show Taupe, durable, and a great way to show your support.

Or for the full "UTR" experience, join with $12 a month, or $144 a year, (upbeat music) and we'll send you the UTR Super Fan Collection, the 15th anniversary mug, the "Under The Radar" cap and the UTR travel mug, to keep hot things hot, and cold things cold, as you make your way around Michigan.

And don't forget, Detroit PBS is also offering tickets to "Under The Radar Live!"

on Wednesday, June 10th at 7:30 PM at the Baldwin Theater in Downtown Royal Oak.

Tickets start at $30 while they last, so don't wait, celebrate and support all that our state has to offer with "Under The Radar Michigan" and Detroit PBS.

(brief hard rock music) (upbeat music) - Let's take a look at this selfie photo.

This is Tom and Jim and 300 of their closest friends at the live event, so we encourage you to participate.

A selfie is probably something at the beginning of your run which wasn't as prolific.

So I point that out to say like, you guys are using the best of what happens, new technologically, but as far as I know, Tom, you can't eat AI food, like, those experiences are real, it's the authenticity that's so awesome.

- Yeah, I've always said that, that life is about experiences.

It's not about how much money you have, how big your car is, it's about meeting people going places.

I know people that for years would fly to Cancun and sit in all-inclusives, and not meet anybody, not really.

Whereas, we have such a rich tapestry of people, places, and things in Michigan.

I always tell people, get out, meet people, go to shows, go to restaurants, try new things.

It's not the slickest show you'll ever see, but it's real- - It's definitely that.

And folks of a certain age will understand this reference of the Breck commercial.

So word of mouth on this show has been, really another one of those magical elements that people love to discover stuff on our airwaves, on PBS, and then share them with their friends.

- And that is the beauty of PBS, is the diversity of programming.

You know, you can have two fools like us next to a super smart show that is well beyond our brain power.

So I think that's really what I love about PBS, is that, and I think that's probably what you love about PBS and why you found us originally.

- Well what I love is the demographics.

We are stopped on the street by groups of kids, by old people, young people, tall people, short people, heavy people, thin people, rich people, poor people.

It's like the reach of PBS, it reaches everyone, it just reaches everybody, I think because everyone loves it.

It's intelligent, smart television that's for us, it's for the people.

It's not being designed by somebody else for profit, it's for us.

- And when you do have these meetings with folks, with fans, with followers, there's equal energy on both sides, everyone's having a good time.

And that's sort of the idea behind the live event, we're replicating that interaction with just a bigger group.

And I think the more we get separated by technology, and the easier it is to, you know, remote in, not mentioning any names, (Jim and Tom chuckle) - [Tom] Hey, I've got a lot of food starch I gotta take care of.

- Understood.

The more people wanna be together, someone once said, in one place.

- Right.

And that's where theaters are so important, we're all there, we're all experiencing it.

The laughter, you know, can be little pockets around the theater, and that's what's kind of fun to see, is that, And here, you know, sometimes Tom will say an offhanded remark, and a few people in the audience will get it, you know, and then it kind of builds, and you know, it just is fun doing these shows.

- There's nothing better than getting together with a whole bunch of people and having that shared experience.

- Let's talk about the logistics of this event.

First of all, the Baldwin Theater's fantastic, it's nestled between Maine and Lafayette, there's a parking structure across the street.

You can do almost anything in Royal Oak prior to or post show, discuss.

- What I love about that theater is, and not a lot of people have the same vantage point, but standing on stage, looking out there at this wonderful, you know, Wedgwood blue walls- - [Fred] Yeah, it's beautiful.

- [Jim] Yeah, it is pretty spectacular.

- Yeah, if you've never been to the Baldwin Stagecrafters Theater, you would never even know it's there.

It's this historic theater, I think it's over a hundred years old.

And just being in that room, you can feel the history, and you can just feel all the people that have been there before.

So yeah, I mean, talk about a great night out, go out to dinner, have a couple of adult malted beverages, come to the show, laugh like crazy, 'cause I guarantee you're gonna do that, and then maybe go out afterwards.

It's a great night out for a good cause, which is Detroit Public Television.

- The other thing is, Tom, folks may have been to this theater but they just didn't know it, 'cause when I was a kid, it was The Washington, that's where we saw Godzilla and all the rest.

My dearly departed mother had her first date in the '40s in this theater.

So you may have been to the Baldwin theater before and maybe not known it.

- Yeah.

- That's amazing.

Yeah, the theater's near and dear to so many people.

And like I said, you wouldn't even really know it's there, because it's inside this giant building.

But yeah, great restaurants that are steps away, easy parking, a fun night of laughter and pictures and stories.

I'm going for sure.

- (chuckles) It is beautiful, really beautiful in there.

In fact, we have a long shot of it.

Jimmy described the blue, but so ornate and redone, and the love and care that the stage crafters put into maintaining this theater, it's really incredible.

- And that's what it takes for theaters to remain, it does take the love and care of so many people who care about live theater.

- [Jim] It's amazing.

- Well, we have tickets available, we have many, many thank you gift options, (Jim chuckles) that's right, thank you for holding that up.

- Yeah, yeah, yeah.

- I'm with Jim on one side, it's the logo on the other side.

So, that took some serious planning into the creation of that.

(Jim laughs) of that one.

- You did a good job.

- Yeah, well, you know, some days I'm a planner, But we want you to plan to be at this live event, because not only is it great in and of itself, a magical night, you might say, the dollars go to support even more of this on this PBS station.

But one of the things that we did early on together, when the two of you and Dan Alper kinda got together, we knew it would be great on our southeast Michigan, 2 million weekly viewers.

But the network of Michigan stations are equal partners in all of this with us, and we make sure that they experience the Breck shampoo effect, they get it passed on to them, and it's wonderful all over the state of Michigan.

- We've been many, many places, well outside of Michigan, where people have stopped us and who know about this program.

So, it's amazing to me.

I was in Barcelona, Spain, and I was stopped twice.

- [Fred] I think that's Barcelona.

- [Jim] Yeah, Barcelona.

- Barcelona.

- T-H.

- Barcelona.

(Fred and Jim chuckle) - I'll also add this, because of the Canadian reach of Detroit Public Television, there are so many emails we get from Canada, so, that's pretty spectacular.

- I think people, not just the title, but the concept of "Under The Radar," you're really true to that.

We love the big attractions and the famous stuff, but seeking out things which may have gone undiscovered, but for your viewership of your show and PBS, I think that's a real selling point.

- Yeah, it's up near 900 stories we've told.

- Wow.

- I did a count the the other day.

That's pretty spectacular.

- Yeah, the state's exploding right now.

And it's an exciting thing to see after working on it for 15 years, as we do, it's just exciting, and it makes you proud to be from Michigan.

- I spent some time last spring in the Kalamazoo area.

- [Tom] Oh yeah.

- Nice resurgence.

I mean, it's a college town, but the areas surrounding it have a lot to offer.

- Let's talk about, you know, the State's First City, Sault Ste.

Marie, that, you know, has changed significantly, and it's now a four season destination.

- Yeah, it's amazing.

It's amazing what's been developing over time.

I just think of the 15th, going to the 16th season of this show, so much has changed, in a good way.

- Yeah.

- But we haven't changed at all.

Right, Jim?

- (chuckles) Not at all, not at all.

Same color, same waist size.

(Tom chuckles) Thanks to stretchy jeans for men.

- Maybe we should leave it there.

- (chuckles) Yeah, I think so.

Well, because I think we've also turned this into an hour-long pledge special.

There's got a lot of editing there, sorry guys.

- Listen, bring Alden and Edelman, and folks will show up, which is also our marketing slogan.

We're "Under The Radar Live!," Downtown Royal Oak, June 10th.

Lauren's got all the details, let's hear them now.

(upbeat music) - Calling all "Under The Radar Michigan" fans, join us right now, and get your tickets for "Under The Radar Live!," a special member event hosted by Tom Daldin and Jim Edelman at the Baldwin Theater in Downtown Royal Oak.

Give now at the $60 giving level, and we'll say thank you with two tickets to "Under The Radar Live!," featuring fun moments and memories from the show, clips, outtakes and a special Q&A for "UTR" super fans.

Individual tickets are also available while they last.

Experience "Under The Radar Live!"

Wednesday, June 10th at 7:00 PM at the Baldwin.

Or give now at the $120 giving level, and we'll say thank you with two tickets to the live event, plus a copy of their latest book, "Yet Another 50: Why Stop Now," the perfect travel guide for the whole state of Michigan.

But don't wait, tickets are going fast.

Call the number on the screen, text, or join online at detroitpbs.org, and we'll see you at the show.

(upbeat music) - [Announcer] Is there a program you'd like to watch again?

Maybe a performance you didn't get a chance to see?

Well, now you can, with PBS Passport, a terrific member benefit that lets you stream more than a thousand hours of PBS and local programming on your computer, or through the PBS app on your phone, tablet, smart TV or screening device.

All your favorites, wherever, whenever you want.

And with your qualifying contribution, you'll help make the great programs on this station possible.

So reach out to the number on your screen, or go online, and get your PBS Passport today.

(upbeat music) - Make a gift now for as little as $6 a month, or $72 all at once.

And we'll say thank you with the "Under The Radar Michigan" 15th anniversary mug, celebrating Tom and Jim's travels across the Great Lake State.

With a contribution of $8 a month, or $96 annually, we'll send you the "Under The Radar" cap, just like the one Tom wears on the show.

Taupe, durable, and a great way to show your support.

Or for the full "UTR" experience, join with $12 a month, or $144 a year, and we'll send you the "UTR" Super Fan Collection, the 15th anniversary mug, the "Under The Radar" cap and the "UTR" travel mug, to keep hot things hot, and cold things cold, as you make your way around Michigan.

And don't forget, Detroit PBS is also offering tickets to "Under The Radar Live!"

on Wednesday, June 10th at 7:30 PM at the Baldwin Theater in Downtown Royal Oak.

Tickets start at $30 while they last, so don't wait, celebrate and support all that our state has to offer with "Under The Radar Michigan" and Detroit PBS.

(brief hard rock music) (cheerful music) - Jim, a final word.

- I think the final word is modified food starch, thing I'd never thought I would be saying.

- [Tom] I'll send you some.

- Yes.

- [Fred] It's in America's lexicon now.

- Well, at least in the three of ours, it's gonna be used a lot.

But I just am so, you know, fortunate to have stumbled into this show, and into Tom's universe, when we were at a time when we needed to do something.

- Yeah, we are two of the luckiest guys on the planet, we really are.

And we never take it for granted.

And we never take our viewers for granted or Detroit Public Television.

So yeah, come and see us.

We'll have fun.

- Well, as my late mother would say, "Don't hide your light under a bushel basket," and you folks never do that.

So with "bushel basket" as the magic word of the day- - Yeah, that's a good one.

- We bid you so long.

But we'll see you at the Baldwin, June 10th when you make a gift to support, please do it right now.

(cheerful music continues) (cheerful music subsides)