Charles McGrath in yesterday’s NYTimes raises the question that keeps coming up: What need do we have for publicly funded television in an age of cable multiplicity? Want BBC reruns? Go to BBC. Want news? Go to any of four or five channels. Want great drama? Go to HBO or SHO. If McGrath seems tenuous and hesitant, put that down to concern about retaining his liberal bona fides, but the conclusion is sensible and to the point: PBS television (locally, Channel 13) has outlived its usefulness. NPR radio (locally 90.1) does excellently in its medium what PBS once did in its, providing a necessary oasis in a desert of programmed mush.
Channel 13 absolutely must stay. Other alternatives for news, entertainment and documentaries are missing the FOCUS of this station.The lack of commercials helps a lot.
There are some things I would like to see improved. Primarily I would like more updated science documentaries. No one has touched the electronic era which interests me and I am seventy four.
Cutting edge information about the visual arts is virtually non existent. Discovery Channel 111 is presenting more interesting current scientific information and Ovation has some superior material in film and the arts.
There is a fustiness about the program visuals including the sets, clothing , hairstyles and color of the backgrounds on your intermissions and during fundraising. I feel the dreariness of brown and orange. Theater people and musicians tend toward wood panelling I would like to redesign Midge Woolsy’s boringclothing (better would be,collarless suits, Her hair needs a rough short muti-colored cut. Her voice is lovely; she is not visual. Please hire some graduates from the School of Visual Arts in NYC for your sets and clothing design.
I personally cannot bear Charlie Rose. He is always interrupting his guests and David Brancaccio should have stayed on radio. He is FLAT.
It’s hard to say this because you are all so nice and well meaning, but it;s probably good to get feedback.
MY NAME IS ANTHONY MORELLI, I AM LOOKING FOR A SPECIAL THAT YOU DID ON” THE DAY OF A COMMODITY TRADER,THE TRADERS NAME WAS GARY GLASS”, THE SPECIAL WAS NONE QUITE A FEW YEARS AGO MAYBE IN 1982-83 IS IT AT ALL POSSIBLE TO RETAIN A COPY OF THIS, AT THIS
TIME IT IS VERY IMPORTANT AND VERY MUCH APPRECIATED, I HAVE BEEN A SUPPORTER OF CHANNEL 13 PBS FOR 25 YEARS AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO, PLEASE HELP ME THANK-YOU
ANTHONY MORELLI
This is something that many are concerned about. Why is the fact that Obamas residency not reported or should I say the validity. We know that a judge has ordered him to show documentation so why is this not being traced down by your reporters. I would love to believe you report all the relevant news not just what is relevant to your entity.