@#$%$#&@!!! PBS

[TammiMcMan]

I TiVo'd the Jim Brickman concert that was on tonight. I watched part of it and was totally *censored* off.

TOV Rediscovering the Joys of Sesame Street

At certain times of the year, PBS has their fundraising drives, so that for the remainder of the time, shows aren't continuously interrupted. You do understand that for the most part, these public broadcasting stations rely on their customer base for funding and not major companies who would want a say in the programming content and flood the shows with commercials? That's why they are the ones bringing you Jim Brickman in concert at Disney World. You're not going to find this type of programming on the Disney Channel. Fundraising is not something that any organization looks forward to doing, but it's necessary to keep them on the air. You work in a public school and I guarantee you that there are a number of fundraisers going on there and you can expect your DS to bring home calendar raffles, candle catalogs and a host of other items designed to raise money for his class, sports team, band, etc.

Granted, I do watch PBS, but not often now that we have cable because I hate how they are always asking for donations. It bothers me for some reason. Not sure why..it just does.

Not everyone has the means of making a monetary donation and this could cause you to feel uncomfortable when you encounter someone who is asking you to donate. A great alternative is to offer your time instead. I've yet to be turned down when I offer volunteer hours. Maybe that would be a good option for you. Contact your local PBS station and ask about some upcoming events. You might gain a better understanding of the way their organization runs, not to mention, making a lot of new friends.

 

[mrsv98]

My DDad has been a cameraman at our PBS for going on 30 years. He hates pledge too as it means long days and not very exciting camera work. HOWEVER, he would hate being unemployed even more. PBS relies on donations, plain and simple. If you don't like they way the programs are broken up, don't watch. If you do watch, realize that you are benefitting from something other people have paid for, even if you don't.

Also realize that PBS is a pioneer in children's programming and if it weren't for them, there is a good chance you wouldn't have the channels you like that are aimed at children. 30 years ago, PBS was the only channel producing anything other than cartoons. Today, thanks to their pioneering, we have channels like Noggin which are commercial free and filled with excellent educational programming.

Now consider concerts. My dad works on most of the Soundstage productions. Do you think that comes cheap? His station sent a crew to Colorado for 10 days to film 3 separate concerts of the Dave Matthews Band just to get a teriffic one-hour concert. A few years ago, the station built a state-of-the-art studio so they could produce more concerts at home. Yes, they get corporate donations but you would be surprised at how much little donations help.

Yes, pledge breaks are a pain, but nothing comes for free and they are really a small price to pay for such excellent programming.

 

[DisneyPhD]

I love PBS, for what both my DD's get out of it and what I get out of it. (I love bbc britcoms! ) However I have to admit I HATE pledge time. Can't stand it. We have 2 stations that we get (flint and Detroit PBS) from cable. I like the flint station more. The Det station begs more and has much longer pledge breaks. Besiedes the stuff they show is the same old junk (for the pledges). Most of it isn't even good stuff like the normal schdule. (they are more infomercail like, how to get rich, stay young, eat well, cure wrinkles.........)


I don't pledge because of what happened to my mother. When I was around 20 or so she made her annual donations to the station (it was around $400 or more.) They never sent her a receipt so she contacted them and they told her to send a copy of the canceled check (before cc were so popluar.) Well she did and they cashed the canceled check (no joke) again. I blame both the bank and PBS for this. However once she allerted them to that they were no helpful at all in getting her money back. We are not talking small amounts of money either. While I know it has been a while since then the way the station handled the situation has turned me off to donating. I have considered donating to the other station (not as close to my home.) However as I have found in many cases like that if you make a small donation they seem to spend more then you gave them to try to get you to donate more (mailings, phone calles ect...) I don't want that.

PBS is not with out sponsers anymore, they have many. Sesmeme street has lots of marketing. (along with other programs.) I wish they had a better way to raise money. I love PBS, I hate the pledge breaks. I have cable, but that doesn't mean PBS does't have a roll to fulfill. Heck I hate to admit it, but my 15 month old DD loves boomba's, so we do wacth them (but I will deney it if asked! )

Oh as far as appitisers go, I have to be dairy and egg free this holiday season (due to a baby with food allergies) anyone have any good ones that DON'T have milk in them? They are hard to fine. So far the best I can do is peel and eat shrimp and homus with pita bread.

 

[DVC-Don]

With A&E, Discovery Channel, National Geographic Channel, Food Network, Travel Channel & the Science Channel, who needs PBS? I can not remember the last time we watched PBS here. Used to watch it quite a bit 20 years ago, but no longer.

 

[Marseeya]

Oh as far as appitisers go, I have to be dairy and egg free this holiday season (due to a baby with food allergies) anyone have any good ones that DON'T have milk in them? They are hard to fine. So far the best I can do is peel and eat shrimp and homus with pita bread.

Oh, that's the best you can do?

Invite me!!! I love hummus and shrimp!

I was trying to think of everything I make and it all does have milk and egg in it. I bet that's tough.

 

[mtblujeans]

I have noticed in the last couple of years that, when digital transmission was required, it really put PBS behind the eight ball! I know it is frustrating when you are trying to record something....it used to be you could just set the recorder and not have to edit...but, I think PBS has really been hurting and I understand why they have been reduced to begging their souls out!! It comes down to either listening to their requests or plan on doing without PBS altogether....which is the lesser of two evils!?

 

[DisneyPhD]

Oh, that's the best you can do?

Invite me!!! I love hummus and shrimp!

I was trying to think of everything I make and it all does have milk and egg in it. I bet that's tough.

Lucky for me I do too. (and guacamole and corn chips) but they are getting a little old and was hoping for something fun for the holidays. With any luck next year this won't be an issue (no longer breast feeding and she should out grow it eventually.)

 

[Laura]

Chickpea Pesto-Stuffed Mushrooms
Serves 4 to 6

This chickpea pesto makes a delectable filling for mushrooms or it can be served in the traditional manner by stirring it into warm pasta.

2 Tbs. pine nuts
1/2 cup cooked chickpeas, drained (reserve liquid)
2 cups lightly packed basil leaves or a mix of basil and parsley
2 cloves garlic, chopped
2 Tbs. chickpea cooking liquid
1 Tbs. olive oil
Salt to taste
Grated Parmesan or Romano cheese (optional)
12 to 16 medium to large mushrooms, or about 24 small mushrooms

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350F. Toast pine nuts in dry skillet until aromatic and lightly colored. Be careful not to overcook. Combine pine nuts and chickpeas in food processor and grind. Add herbs and garlic and purée to a thick paste. Add chickpea liquid and process until blended. Add oil and process until incorporated. Add salt and mix. Sprinkle with cheese if desired.

Remove mushroom stems and reserve for another use; clean mushroom caps. Fill caps with a tablespoonful (use a teaspoon for small mushrooms) of pesto.

Place mushrooms in a baking dish. Bake until mushrooms are tender, about 15 minutes. Very large mushrooms may take longer to cook.

PER SERVING: 36 CAL; 1 G PROT; 2 G TOTAL FAT (0 SAT. FAT); 4 G CARB.; 0 MG CHOL; 31 MG SOD.; 1 G FIBER


http://vegetariantimes.com/recipe/
There are lots of egg- and dairy-free recipes there.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Chickpea Pesto-Stuffed Mushrooms
Serves 4 to 6

This chickpea pesto makes a delectable filling for mushrooms or it can be served in the traditional manner by stirring it into warm pasta.

2 Tbs. pine nuts
1/2 cup cooked chickpeas, drained (reserve liquid)
2 cups lightly packed basil leaves or a mix of basil and parsley
2 cloves garlic, chopped
2 Tbs. chickpea cooking liquid
1 Tbs. olive oil
Salt to taste
Grated Parmesan or Romano cheese (optional)
12 to 16 medium to large mushrooms, or about 24 small mushrooms

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350F. Toast pine nuts in dry skillet until aromatic and lightly colored. Be careful not to overcook. Combine pine nuts and chickpeas in food processor and grind. Add herbs and garlic and purée to a thick paste. Add chickpea liquid and process until blended. Add oil and process until incorporated. Add salt and mix. Sprinkle with cheese if desired.

Remove mushroom stems and reserve for another use; clean mushroom caps. Fill caps with a tablespoonful (use a teaspoon for small mushrooms) of pesto.

Place mushrooms in a baking dish. Bake until mushrooms are tender, about 15 minutes. Very large mushrooms may take longer to cook.

PER SERVING: 36 CAL; 1 G PROT; 2 G TOTAL FAT (0 SAT. FAT); 4 G CARB.; 0 MG CHOL; 31 MG SOD.; 1 G FIBER


http://vegetariantimes.com/recipe/
There are lots of egg- and dairy-free recipes there.

Thanks for the link and recipe. I will check it out. Not so sure about cheeseless pesto though. Wonder how it would be. I guess I could try it, after all I had cheeseless pizza the other day. The cheeseless chicken lasana wasn't as good. (nothing to hold it all togther.) Vegan cheese, not such a good thing and the soy cheese that is any good has casien in it (and milk proteen.)

 

[dis ms.]

Claiming you're too poor to donate to PBS + (Tivo + extended basic cable) =

 

[Lil_Tink]

AND THEY CHANGED COOKIE MONSTER TO VEGGIE MONSTER..This is a true outrage.

 

[kydisneyfans]

......and Burt and Ernie are gay??

Face it-Sesame Street is an American Icon that, if PBS would falter, would survive and be picked up by another network for longevity.

ALso-PBS has to be raking in some serious dough from the licensing of Sesame Street products, tickle me elmos, etc.

Beyond Sesame Street-can 99% of the country even name 3 other shows on this network? I used to, but cannot now.

 

[Lil_Tink]

......and Burt and Ernie are gay??

Face it-Sesame Street is an American Icon that, if PBS would falter, would survive and be picked up by another network for longevity.

ALso-PBS has to be raking in some serious dough from the licensing of Sesame Street products, tickle me elmos, etc.

Beyond Sesame Street-can 99% of the country even name 3 other shows on this network? I used to, but cannot now.

MMM...


Zoom, Aurthor and MAya and Miguel (That took me a while to)

 

[ducklite]

I TiVo'd the Jim Brickman concert that was on tonight. I watched part of it and was totally *censored* off.

I hate this time of year..well..ok. I hate ALL times of year when they have to beg for $$$. They ruined a perfectly good concert by breaking it up into sections so they could spend 20 min or so (total)begging like the dogs they are.

Granted, I do watch PBS, but not often now that we have cable because I hate how they are always asking for donations. It bothers me for some reason. Not sure why..it just does.

TOV

Because if people didn't make donations they wouldn't be able to bring you the concert. It's actually a very effective marketing and fundraising tool. If you don't like it, in the future you could just buy a ticket and see the performer live.

And I somehow doubt the artist sees PBS as "dogs".

Anne

 

[mrsv98]

Face it-Sesame Street is an American Icon that, if PBS would falter, would survive and be picked up by another network for longevity.

ALso-PBS has to be raking in some serious dough from the licensing of Sesame Street products, tickle me elmos, etc.......and Burt and Ernie are gay??

Just FYI, Sesame Street et. al is owned by the Children's Television Workshop who owns all the rights to the copyrights. PBS and CTW have a distribution agreement but PBS does not get money from the sales of toys and products related to Sesame Street. I believe this goes for all of the shows including Maya & Miguel, Arthur, etc.

With A&E, Discovery Channel, National Geographic Channel, Food Network, Travel Channel & the Science Channel, who needs PBS? I can not remember the last time we watched PBS here. Used to watch it quite a bit 20 years ago, but no longer.

Once again, 20 years ago, PBS was your only option for this type of show and they led the way in science and arts programming.

Donate or not, it is up to you, but don't slam them for trying to stay a (predominently) commercial free station that brings you excellent programming.

Oh, and BTW, PBS does have a digital channel, at least in Chicago and it is excellent.

 

[BCVOwner2002]

I just posted on another thread about what I wanted for Christmas and my comment was the Jim Brickman CD but as DH and I watched the special on PBS, he said we should donate $100 and get the DVD as a gift to ourselves. I couldn't have agreed more and made my donation. I have volunteered time at WGBH in Boston for the phonathons and IMHO it is a worthy cause. Annmarie

 

[disneymom3]

Ummm, okay, I don't get it. You do realize you PAY for cable and NOT for PBS right? See the point here? They have to have money too. Not only that but you are paying for cable and they still have commercials.

Plus, hello??? You TIVO'd it right? So, skip the fundraising portions!!

 

[DisneyPhD]

Ummm, okay, I don't get it. You do realize you PAY for cable and NOT for PBS right? See the point here? They have to have money too. Not only that but you are paying for cable and they still have commercials.

Plus, hello??? You TIVO'd it right? So, skip the fundraising portions!!

I am not 100% sure about this, but doesn't the PBS station get some $ from the cable station to pick them up? I would like to think that part of my money is going there (along with the Disney channel, HGTV and A&E, among others.)

I think the whole pledge thing for PBS isn't working so much and I think other metholds might want to be considered to increase funding. (as they have been in some ways, new sponsers, grants, marketing money from products...... There are PBS sponsered stores.........

 

[TDC Nala]

I donated to PBS once. They called every weekend asking for more. They filled up my mailbox with donation requests. I won't do it again unless I can donate anonymously.

 

[DisneyPhD]

I donated to PBS once. They called every weekend asking for more. They filled up my mailbox with donation requests. I won't do it again unless I can donate anonymously.

That is what I was talking about. They spend more $ trying to get you to give them even more money then what you orginally donated to them.