I am fortunate to have grown up during the time of PBS - or the Public Broadcasting Service. I have to admit it; it is something that I often take for granted. You know, like during their pledge periods. I am impatient and will think, "yeah, yeah - just get on with the show already." But, they depend on support to stay on the air. Well, enough of my preaching.
I was thinking about reality television, and how PBS is sometimes the best example of actual reality television. Not the kind that we often think of - like Jeff Conway and Ruth Buzzi living in the same house for a month - but real reality tv. The good, the bad, and the ugly. Later today, some of the more ugly stuff is on. At 10pmEST tonight, on PBS, the story of "The People vs Leo Frank" is told. Leo Frank (picture on left) was a young Jewish man who managed a pencil factory in Georgia during the early 1900s. He was found guilty and eventually lynched for the murder of a 13 year old worker at the factory, named Mary Phagan. Most Atlantans celebrated the verdict, but observers around the country considered it a mockery of justice. Here is a link for the web site's summary of the show:Ironically, also on the PBS website, is the announcement that they have updated the web page for the Mr. Rogers Show. I loved Mr. Rogers, and still sing his songs to my daughter at bedtime. He was a wonderful man, who spoke and sang of love, acceptance, and feelings. The web page now features video/audio clips of songs and highlights from the Mr. Rogers Show. Only PBS is consistently able to show such contrasting portions of life. Some is good, some is bad, and some is ugly - but they show it all. Oh - by the way - please forgive my loose use of the Clint Eastwood film title. Here is a little snippet of video from when Fred Rogers accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 24th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards:
