Tuesday, August 14, 2007

bright future in sales

I may never join a public television station again.

Because they do NOT STOP HARASSING YOU FOR MONEY EVER. Ever ever ever. Even after I've asked them to stop. Even after I told them that the only reason I joined was to attend a Fountains of Wayne taping, which they totally botched by cutting their time on the broadcast in half. Even after I tell them that I'm a student and that I don't have the extra funds. Even after they try to sell me the "student membership," which, did you not hear me? I DO NOT WATCH YOUR TV. I WATCHED IT ONCE AND WAS UNHAPPY WITH IT.

I guess I'm pleased that public TV exists, in a theoretical sense; maybe its very presence is making my life richer somehow. But when they DO NOT STOP CALLING? I am NOT pleased. Grr arrgh.

4 comments:

Talcott said...

Maybe it's just my own nostalgic memories of it, but I think that public television has stumbled a lot in recent years. Some of this might well be a funding issue, but sometimes it seems like PBS (or maybe just the local stations) aren't trying anymore. I mean, they try to ask for money, but having better programing would do much more for that than sending annoying letters.

I keep waiting for public television to catch up with public radio, which is (so far as I know) the only kind of non-satellite/internet radio gaining listeners.

As cheap as digital equipment is, public television could become this great field of ultra-low-budget shows. Most locally produced, but some gaining national recognition. That's what it used to be, but now it seems more like a constant pledge drive, interrupted only for the weekly archived Eagles concert or episode of Keeping Up Appearances (which I like, but the premise can only hold up to so many viewings).

Erm, and it would seem that I'm a bit opinionated about these things ;-)

^kat^ said...

I think what Talcott is saying is that he wants Public TV to be a little more like UHF. Conan the Librarian, anyone? I would SO pay for that.

trunger said...

hey! i'm conan the librarian...ish...on an online game...ish....

although, i have rather fond memories of conan the librarian on Reading Rainbow....

Unknown said...

sigh, i have that problem with donating for anything. i think i get a letter from the red cross every week. i think their cause is important but it really makes care less.