To-Do: Channel 102, Essie Mae, or Public Theater

• Once a month, Channel 102 screens its low-budget shows in front of an audience, who then decides which shows to keep and which to cancel. It's like American Idol, but with less hair gel. [flavorpill]
• Essie Mae Washington-Willams, the daughter of Strom Thurmond and one of his family's African-American maids, discusses her coot of a father at the 92nd Street Y. And unlike the rest of the socially-conscious public, she apparently has something nice to say about him. [Upcoming]
• With appearances by Meryl Streep, Natalie Portman, and Ben Stiller and others, The Public Sings celebrates 50 years of musicals. Yeah, it's a little cheesy, but the Deerhoof show is sold-out. [PublicTheater]