Mr. Detroit Public Television Answer Man

Hooray the weekend is here! But even more importantly, it’s time for another edition of Mr. Detroit Public Television Answer Man. I’m rolling up my sleeves, firing up the DPTV Answer Machine and mussing up my comb over in anxious anticipation of your questions.
Even though only one question came roaring in last week you can count on me to manufacture your most scintillating thoughts in the form of a DPTV question. And we’re off….


Dear DPTV Guy,I know you’re just finishing up one of those pledge drives you like to do, what happened to all my regular programs like Antiques Roadshow, Masterpiece and This Old House? Am I missing episodes while you’re raising funds? Why do you broadcast programs that are different from the regular schedule?
-Riled in Royal Oak

Dear Riled,
What an excellent question and one that I often wondered about before I was fortunate enough to become a member of this august staff. First the fundraising, Detroit Public Television is a non-profit educational foundation. We receive about 6% of our funding from the government. We have to raise the other 94% ourselves. Since we can’t and don’t want to charge admission we rely on our fundraising drives for our base funding.

Experience has taught us that the regular Public Television programs aren’t effective fundraisers. Our viewers like and respond to the self-help and entertainment programming we present during pledge. The programs are produced with more breaks so there is plenty of time for you to get up and make a pledge on the phone or online and not miss any of the program. Other viewers like pledge drives because of the cool “thank you” gifts we send them after they pledge. Books on Health, CDs with all kinds of music, DVDs on travel and investment and more are being offered. I’m still sore from the Household Hints book Mrs. Answer Man received as a “thank you” a couple of years ago. Boy was I busy!

Research has shown that most viewers understand that pledge drives are essential to keep DPTV on the air. Don’t worry Riled; your favorite programs will be back on the air right where we left off. If you did pledge, your thank you gift is on the way, too!


Dear Mr. Answer Guy,When the pledge drives are on the air I see some very familiar people hosting the local segments. They always seem very passionate about public television and they seem to know everything about the programs. Do they read from scripts? Is pledge hosting their regular job?
-Fond in Farmington


Well Fond, you aren’t alone, everyone seems to recognize our hosts but most people don’t know much about them. You’re very right; they are all very passionate about public television. They don’t read from scripts, they speak from their hearts and have all worked very hard to learn about our programs and what you and other viewers look for in their public television. Now here’s something interesting, pledge hosting isn’t their full time jobs.

I did a little stalking and look what I found out.

Dan Alpert has been with DPTV 32 years. His regular job is Station Manager. He keeps the station going day after day. He also makes sure we mind all our broadcasting “Ps” and “Qs”; he is the conscience of Detroit Public Television. In his spare time, he is an accomplished traveler and Europe is one of his specialties.

Diane Bliss is the Vice President of National Fundraising Production. She is a world-class television producer. Since July of this year, Diane and her staff have produced more than ten national pledge specials. She discovered Danny O’Donnell and many other artists for public television. After work, you might find Diane and her husband sailing on the Great Lakes.

Kelley Hamilton is the Vice President of Development for DPTV but if that’s not enough she is also the co-host of Get Up Get Out and a number of other local specials on DPTV. If you have ever called DPTV, you probably talked to someone in Kelley’s department. She’s responsible for raising millions every year and she’s in charge of our Capital Campaign to fund our new digital television station. Kelley is what you get when you cram smart, attractive and fun into one person. She gave birth to her third daughter in October and she’s already laboring again (sorry).

Fred Nahhat is Director of On-Air Fundraising. That’s right; Fred is not just another pretty face. He works behind the scenes to schedule staff, pledge programs and produce each and every pledge drive. He is also the co-host of Get Up Get Out. Fred is one of those guys that “know how to get it done”. He makes his job look effortless and makes Mr. DPTV Answer Man laugh whenever his does his impression of a certain former TV news anchor guy. Fred is active in coaching a number of sports teams for his son when he not working the craziest hours in television.


Time to rinse out the old DPTV Answer Machine until next week, don’t forget to submit your questions to Mr. Detroit Public Television Answer Man in the comment section of this blog. No question will be left unanswered!