While I disagree with the premise that PBS is not worth saving, he does make some valid points. I long ago tired of the endless repeats of 1970's BBC comedies; I just did not think it worth complaining about since they are typically late night fare. And it is unfortunate that commercial networks have the funds for an occasional quality show that PBS can't afford. But overall, the average PBS show- even 40 year old NOVA- is far better than the cultural vomit spewed from the E! network or most of the other 1000 marginal networks on the cable and satellite lineups. (Frank Zappa had it right when he wrote "I'm the Slime" in 1973. If you don't know the reference, I'll send you the lyrics.) And hey, ever hear of the TVLAND network? Yeah, the one that shows endless repeats of 50's, 60's and 70's American comedies? Geez, I just can't wait to watch another stunning episode of Katie and the Congressman. But nobody suggests this network should shut down. At least at PBS, the viewers pay for want they want. If we are few and growing fewer, that is more a statement about the Decline and Fall of the American Empire than of PBS. Should PBS get its share from the federal trough? Damn straight it should. What minuscule percentage of the budget is it? In an era when the taxpayer (meaning those of us in the lower 95% of wage earnings) foots the bills for things like stadiums owned by billionaires and played in by millionaires, for the expenses incurred when our jobs are shipped overseas, for the costs of lawsuits brought on by corporate negligence- I could go on and on- I think the least the fat cats can do is toss us this meager bone.
Posted by
Chuck Smith
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