PBS programs over the years

I have been watching PBS including the Masterpiece Theater offerings for many years. I'll tell you one reason British TV does so well here: It's because UK productions are done so excellently and imaginatively. The British have a long history of excellent literature and theater--and it shows. I often sit in awe of the productions and the quality of British dramatics. The culture here in the U.S. has not for quite some time lent itself to the quality of our productions compared to that which we are lucky to receive from the literary/drama traditions of Britain. (Just a note: I am probably the only person in the world who would have preferred Mr. Cumberbatch performing the "Sherlock" of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. I didn't enjoy a surreal "Sherlock" at all. You should have made up a character of your own, not stealing the name "Sherlock" and, instead, come up with your own character name. For me, it was a cheap shot! And god help us if you do the same thing to Agatha Christie characters. Unfortunately, the generations probably since Vietnam or even Korea and The Beatles and R & R have been left without any taste for the classics and don't know any better). Thank heavens I lived in the era of wonderful Hollywood (and foreign film era), and radio, based many of their stories on British stories and very often starred British actors. e.g. Charles Laughton, C. Aubrey Smith, Cary Grant, Vivien Leigh, Maureen O'Hara, Merle Oberon, Laurence Olivier, John Gielgud, Ralph Richardson, Clare Bloom, Helen Mirren, Geraldine Fitzgerald [was she British?]) I respect and enjoy thoroughly the classics, as well as current offerings IF they're good. However, the classics today barely exist: Shakespeare? Walter Scott? Brontes? Austen? Stevenson? Beethoven? Gregorian Chant, De Lassus? Hayden? Mozart? Stravinsky? Ravel? Schubert?--and in television: "I Claudius", "Prime Suspect", and many others. I have repeatedly appealed to KOCE to rerun "Prime Suspect." Its theme, its plot is totally current. But they just don't do it. "I Claudius" definitely should be rerun. You'll never equal the 1st production if you make a new one. The actors and the mindsets today just aren't in the right ballpark. "Victoria"? Sure. It will become a classic. Also, the most recent "Forsyth Saga" (Forsyte?) may become a classic. But, you, too, have no interest in your Masterpiece productions that have become classics (I'm not saying that all are, but some ARE). I suppose that you like to get more money to produce new work and support current writers, directors, actors, etc. Too bad, it appears that the classics are disappearing off the shelves and racks. By the way, KOCE has the most disturbing clanging sound that is increased, electric guitars(?), during program breaks. I don't know why they keep it. It's particularly unpleasant after an important or moving program. They should get rid of it. Otherwise, it's a pretty good station, but then, all the PBS stations are.

Received: 
California
Workbench Page Type: 
Month and Year: 
January, 2021
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