KCTS Seattle

Landmark!

* * * * (½) *
«When people are young, they want to live forever. But that’s also the greatest fear of the elderly – many don’t want to live forever.
«60% of those over 85 will enter a nursing home. If they stay there longer than 6 months the vast majority will stay there until the end of their lives.
…Some people will thrive there.»
–from the Frontline series video «Living Old» on the
website. A spectacularly eye-​opening, moving 2006 documentary.
I do understand the haphazardness of their scheduling can make it difficult for viewers.
Many, many videos can be seen in their entirety there. So if you miss a program, at least try to see if it is there.
Though dismayed by the fact that public television in this country has become dependent on corporate support – the federal government deeming it not a priority to support – , I am amazed at the quality of the programming of public television.
In a society consumed by consumerism and other forms of escapism, I am extremely grateful to KCTS, our local public television station, PBS affiliate.
No, Google-​ling for information on aging – for baby-​boomers with parents whose health is on a rather downward decline – will not yield the kind of first-​hand testimony and comprehensive coverage of topics like aging, the economy, arts, education.
I only wish children at a young age were exposed to and even «raised on» KCTS and PBS.
America the way it is, not the way it would like to see itself.

A portion of viewer donations are used to pay for a Spanish language station owned and operated by KCTS. It is shameful that they do this without disclosure– I had to inquire. They support all illegal entrants, aliens, entering our nation. They claim to want to help them and do this by making it convenient to NEVER ASSIMILATE into our culture, to learn English. Shameful and disgusting.
Immigration is a legal process which, among other things like trying to eliminate terrorists, is to be sure that those with certain diseases are not permitted access to our country on a permanent basis. This enormous failing has led to huge increases in diseases such as leprosy and TB– now we are seeing these as a result of this illegal traffic into our nation which is approved by KCTS, among other organizations and institutions.

I only watch in the evenings, later at night, and what’s with the constant fundraising? Occasionally, only very occasionally, will Frontline or Nova come on without interruption… but geez, I’ve never seen a PBS station with constant fundraising like KCTS. Ridiculous.

Yeah, I like PBS programming– it’s great: Austin City Limits, America’s Test Kitchen, Charlie Rose, Jim Lehrer… but I’m writing about KCTS… and I just have to say I really can’t stand George from the cooking shows– I have been watching him ask the SAME questions to the guest cooks for years now, while he waits impatiently and just can’t wait to take a bite– roll his eyes and stumble over some adjectives to describe the morsel he just mouthed. Oh, boo on me right? How can I criticize poor old George? Well, I can– and I did. Also, the librarian lady with the monotone voice who hosts the pledge-​o-​thons during the cooking… please. Thank goodness they got rid of Kathy Casey– now George… please for Big Bird’s sake– do PBS a favor, KCTS, and can the guy. Oh, I’m a jerk I know– anyone else feel the same way though? Seriously.

I got hooked during Jane Austen series on Masterpiece– love it! Now this show «carrier” — love it! I am always surprised at how often I get stuck on this channel–
I do occasionally feel guilty when I don’t donate money– but I am just in place to do that financially– someday…

Why has the telethon been going on for a month and a half?
That just doesn’t seem right.
I simply want to turn on the television and watch some morning cooking shows without getting the hard sell over my first cup of coffee. I support you guys, but give it a rest.
I could also do without Rick Steves constantly telling me to buy his money-​belt or else I will be robbed by Gypsys at the Rome train station. /​I will not!!!/
Of course you bring us great shows such as Frontier House (love highbrow reality television) fantastic documentaries, and you even re-​run old episodes of Bob Ross*. Sweet!
So, let’s get back on track and show me the nerdy stuff.
*You should really try watching this show with the sound off and the subtitles on. It’s very surreal to see something like «The Devil is going to take my soul for telling tales» pop up on the screen as he is painting happy little clouds.

I’m a huge public television fan but not in that self-​righteous, clog wearing, totebag carrying way. I come by it honestly. Being from New England, I pretty much grew up on Channel 2, also known as WGBH Boston, in fact for the first part of my childhood it was the only channel I was allowed to watch. Did you know that WGBH Boston produces more PBS programming than any other affiliate in the country? Now you know why all the best PBS hosts drop their R’s.
KCTS Seattle is still great, but it just sort of pales in comparison. «KCTS Connects» is informative and I like the host, Enrique Cerna, but there’s nothing especially dynamic or engaging about the format. «KCTS Cooks» is a weird local food show that is filmed in real time for absolutely no reason. Also, the host is always breaking the fourth wall. In other words, though the format is similar, it’s no «The French Chef».