I think getting rid of PBS is a terrible idea. Television driven by ratings (especially news) has eroded public trust in journalism. In the run up to the war, it seemed that Ted Koppel and Frontline were the only network TV outlets that didn’t totally toe the line.
In today’s 500-channel environment, public TV is a preposterous relic. Now PBS is airing some HBO films. There is a nifty use of tax dollars – showing HBO reruns.
I think he’s referring to their running of Dirty War– which was a great movie and was presented with an after-show discussion on the program’s themes. He makes it sound like they’re running Six Feet Under of something.
The recent spat about Buster, PBS’ cartoon rabbit, visiting two lesbian parents quickly became a second spat about the Education Department’s threat to stop financing Buster. But a third spat should have been about why the Education Department (a fourth spat: Is that department necessary?) is paying for any of Buster’s adventures. Is there a desperate shortage of television cartoons?
There is a desperate shortage of cartoons that aren’t focused on shoveling cereal and toys at children.
But the refined minority, as it sees itself, now has ample television choices for the rare moments when it is not rereading Proust.
God, he’s such a dick!
Even with science and history shows, Discovery Channel and History Channel don’t fill all the gaps. They’ll always produce specials on what is going to sell advertising spots. I have set riveted to episodes of Nova before on totally obtuse, but fascinating topics. I watched that Frontline on credit cards twice because I just couldn’t believe that is how the finance industry actually works.
Mom and dad raised us on PBS. Cable was considered a luxury – and it is when you can spend money on music lessons or a Commodore 64.
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