PBS chief quits amid 'Buster' row

[Anarcho-Socialist]

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/article/ds19319.html

PBS chief quits amid 'Buster' row
Friday, February 18 2005, 06:27 GMT -- by Neil Wilkes
Digital Spy

The head of PBS has decided to step down amid the row over an axed episode of kids cartoon Postcards From Buster featuring a lesbian couple.

Pat Mitchell, who has headed up the network since 2000, will leave when her contract expires in June 2006.

In the 'Buster' episode concerned, our hero Buster (a rabbit) travels to Vermont - a state which recognises same-sex unions - to examine farm life and maple sugaring. Among those he meets along the way are a lesbian couple.

Ensuing criticism from conservative groups preceded PBS' decision not to offer the episode out to its 349 affiliates across America, reasoning that "we wanted to make sure that parents had an opportunity to introduce this subject to their children in their own time."

Confirming her decision to leave in a press conference, Mitchell made no reference to the controversy.

During her time at PBS, the network's ratings rose to record levels. Mitchell is also credited with adding some diversity to the schedule, including American Family, an acclaimed series featuring a Latino family, and American Mystery!, a special about Indians living in the Southwest.

[chicagojoe]

1. These fucking malcontents are cruisin' for a bruisin'.

I'm sick of these Radical Right assholes trying to rip apart our nation. My patience is wearing thin.

[Pachamama]

2. Quit or Asked to leave? And why? She has produced record viewer

numbers and brought more great shows to the network?

What was the big deal w/ the Buster episode? Most affiliates never showed it...so she's "leaving" because of one episode that was contoversial and seen by few?

This is bullsh*t....

[kaitykaity]

3. Eason Jordan and now this.

These buttwipes won't be happy until every network
is run by a James Guckert.

:gaack:

[pacifictiger]

4. Is anyone emailing

PBS in support of her? Seems like a ton of mail in support of her is needed .... a-la Jimmy Stewart's Miracle on 42nd Street.

[Jamastiene]

5. Typical

2 or 3 right wingers whisper a word or 2 of contempt for something simple and nonthreatening in any possible way and everyone overreacts and clammers to please them. A nation full of thinking people practically beg our government to take their heads out of their asses and they marginalize us and call us "whiners." Maybe Metallica was right at least in their youth when they said "justice is lost, justice is raped..."

[libodem]

6. Hate to see that

That's too bad. Why would she have to step down. If they really wanted her to stay they would have not accepted her resignation. PBS is an important element of free thinking. Education, information, and objective programing, I wonder if they will fill her position with a propagandist. Maybe one of those, no spin, fair and balanced, we report and you decide, media individuals, could take the job. Maybe Rush, with his drug problem and all, those lies that he's gay or O'reilly with his sex scandal could be rewarded by moving behind the scenes and orchestrating "public education" in a more covert fashion. Either of them, or maybe someone from a nice church somewhere. I'm glad President Bush wants all those little kids to learn how to read.

[Festivito]

7. Seeing NPR taken over by RW, I hate seeing PBS instable. nt.

[Bark Bark Bark]

8. Forced! To! Leave!

...after her contract expires. In a year and a half.

Shee, I wish I would get that much time to clear MY locker out.

This is Rathergate II; the target is leaving of his/her own accord, having planned to do so well before the "controversy"--and the wingnuts are claiming credit for it.

(...AND, that episode of "Buster" has aired on many affiliates. Oh, look! The moon DIDN'T turn to blood!)

By all means, lend your support to Pat Mitchell, along with Rather and all the others who have faced the hypocritical NeoCon "tempest-in-a-teapot" attacks. But don't give them that credit.