Grr, last-minute ad hoc pledge drive programming on local PBS station

[Lydia Leftcoast]

I am a fan of the British comedy-drama New Tricks, and after seeing a couple of seasons on DVD, I was delighted to find that my local PBS station was showing it, starting off about where I left off with the DVDs, on its second channel on Saturday nights.

Only for the past two weeks, New Tricks has been replaced by unannounced pledge drive programming. That's right. I tuned in last Saturday, and they were running some slimy self-help guru and pledge breaks that say, "Call the number on your screen," which means that they are not produced locally but are canned and sent out around the country.

According to today's online schedule, they were going to run New Tricks, although skipping an episode. So what to my wondering eyes doth appear but more pledge break programming! So I go to the online schedule, and sure enough, it's been changed.

I can't tell you how much I loathe most pledge drive programming, but at least I can avoid it when it's announced in advance.

When they spring it on me--and they always pre-empt something I really want to see--it's infuriating.

[madinmaryland]

1. Have you donated to your local PBS Station??

If not, then no complaints, please.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

2. Yes, I'm a sustainer

It's all automatic now.