Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) is scheduled to show three deaf actresses in an episode of ‘The Puzzle Place on or around December 4th. The episode, titled ‘I’m Talking to You’, includes Academy-winning actress Marlee Matlin and deaf teenagers Sheena McFeeley and Mario Lovitch. Both Matlin and Lovitch are Jewish. According to the program description on the website for the Deaf Entertainment Foundation (DEF) of Beverly Hills, CA, “Syke is frustrated because one girl at the Play Center seems to be monopolizing the Shoot the Hoops game. He can’t get a turn at the game because the girl keeps ignoring him. He returns later with Kiki and finds the same girl and her friend still playing. Kiki confronts the girls and discovers that they’re both hearing impaired. Jane (Sheena McFeeley) and Wendy (Mario Lovitch) didn’t realize Skye wanted to play the game because they didn’t hear him talking to them. Back at the Puzzle Place, Syke and Kiki use the Weebus to reach deaf actress and Academy Award winner, Marlee Matlin, who teaches them about hearing disabilities, lip reading, and sign language, Jane and Wendy, portrayed by two hearing impaired young actors, also helped the kids understand about the degree of deafness and the differences in abilities to speak within the deaf community. Check your local TV listing for the exact day and time.

Published On: 2 Iyyar 5770 (2 Iyyar 5770 (April 16, 2010))