# My semi-annual PBS rant **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 23, 2007, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-semi-annual-pbs-rant/405232 "2007-05-23T15:45:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2007, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-semi-annual-pbs-rant/405232/1 "2007-05-23T15:45:13Z")
Okay, so in your British Saturday Night lineup you have dropped two shows, Vicar of Dibley and Monty Python, and added Dr Who. The first one I will not complain about, as it was repeating episodes anyway, but I still watched the Python even if it was starting to repeat episodes too. I groused about it internally a bit. Then I noticed something. All of the British shows had been repeating episodes, a phenomenon I noticed about all of them at the same time. The series that started repeating include: Monty Python Are you being served? / GaF The Good Life/Neighbors Vicar of Dibley Notice something odd here? If you don’t reread the paragraph before my list: > [@](#): > > Then I noticed something. All of the British shows had been repeating episodes, a phenomenon I noticed about all of them **at the same time**. To notice what’s wrong with this, take a look at the episode count of VoD versus, say, the Python. That’s right. Apparently, WMFE can’t be arsed to show more than 17 episodes of any of these shows. In order to see all the episodes, I’ll be forced to buy the complete python collection from PBS. I just hope they I’m not forced to name a local PBS affiliate, as I have never given money to WMFE and I don’t want them to get a dime from me. Wankers. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2007, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-semi-annual-pbs-rant/405232/2 "2007-05-23T16:27:57Z")
I have an impression that with BBC America, A&E, and other outlets for British programming, it has gotten much more expensive for PBS affiliates to acquire it. It’s not that they “can’t be arsed” to show more than a 17-episode block. It might simply be that they can not afford to purchase more than that in a year. ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2007, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-semi-annual-pbs-rant/405232/3 "2007-05-23T16:33:10Z")
It may just be in the way shows are packaged. As **acsenray** said, there is a lot of competition between PBS, BBC America and A&E for a finite number of shows, since they’ve all gone out of production. So PBS gets some, BBC America gets some and A&E gets some. Unfortunately, this leads to repeating episodes. :shrug: Robin ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2007, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-semi-annual-pbs-rant/405232/4 "2007-05-23T16:37:15Z")
When we get to Hell, it will always be Pledge Week. ---
**Author:** ![Autolycus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@Autolycus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autolycus)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2007, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-semi-annual-pbs-rant/405232/5 "2007-05-23T16:39:37Z")
I know it’s not the same, but I think for at least Monty Python, that almost everything they’ve ever done is on Youtube. _waves fist at PBS_ ---
**Author:** ![Plynck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Plynck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plynck)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2007, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-semi-annual-pbs-rant/405232/6 "2007-05-23T17:05:38Z")
[QUOTE=elucidator] When we get to Hell, it will always be Pledge Week. [/QUOTE] Why do you hate Peter, Paul and Mary? ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2007, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-semi-annual-pbs-rant/405232/7 "2007-05-23T18:41:45Z")
[QUOTE=Ludovic] In order to see all the episodes, I’ll be forced to buy the complete python collection from PBS. I just hope they I’m not forced to name a local PBS affiliate, as I have never given money to WMFE and I don’t want them to get a dime from me. Wankers. [/QUOTE] A&E sells a DVD boxset–14 DVDs–of the complete Monty Python’s Flying Circus. I believe its MSRP is $200, but you can find it most places for no more than $150. ---
**Author:** ![Miss\_Woodhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/838e76/32.png) [@Miss\_Woodhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Woodhouse)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2007, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-semi-annual-pbs-rant/405232/8 "2007-05-23T18:58:15Z")
It could be worse. Your PBS affiliate could be buying _My Hero_ for the Saturday night line up and only showing Flying Circus at 2am on the third alternate Saturday following a Friday the 13th. ---
**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2007, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-semi-annual-pbs-rant/405232/9 "2007-05-24T12:44:53Z")
Somewhat off-topic, but related: is “Are You Being Served?” really that popular in the US? How about back in the UK? It’s on practically every PBS station in the country, b ut it seems like _nobody_ ever mentions it. ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2007, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-semi-annual-pbs-rant/405232/10 "2007-05-24T15:18:33Z")
[QUOTE=asterion] A&E sells a DVD boxset–14 DVDs–of the complete Monty Python’s Flying Circus. I believe its MSRP is $200, but you can find it most places for no more than $150. [/QUOTE] I got mine at Costco for $99 a couple of years ago, and [this site](http://www.tlavideo.com/details/product_details.cfm?c=-1&v=1&sn=1&id=112540&enable=true) is selling it for $87.99. ---
**Author:** ![Capatalist\_Lion\_Tamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71c47a/32.png) [@Capatalist\_Lion\_Tamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capatalist_Lion_Tamer)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2007, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-semi-annual-pbs-rant/405232/11 "2007-05-24T15:48:24Z")
[QUOTE=Ludovic] That’s right. Apparently, WMFE can’t be arsed to show more than 17 episodes of any of these shows. [/QUOTE] I was under the impression that some of the shows you listed didn’t tape very many more than 17 episodes. I need to go look that up. ---
**Author:** ![fachverwirrt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@fachverwirrt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fachverwirrt)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2007, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-semi-annual-pbs-rant/405232/12 "2007-05-24T16:36:20Z")
I recall getting my Flying Circus box set for about $75. I could be mis-remembering (I think I got it at Best Buy). ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2007, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-semi-annual-pbs-rant/405232/13 "2007-05-24T16:54:18Z")
[QUOTE=Capatalist Lion Tamer] I was under the impression that some of the shows you listed didn’t tape very many more than 17 episodes. I need to go look that up. [/QUOTE] Exactly. While I never kept track of when they were repeating, I noticed that they were all repeating _at the same time_. Even the ones that had many more than 17 episodes. Which is how I first figured out that there are plenty of episodes unaired. Looking at the plot descriptions of the ones I haven’t seen it appears I’m right. But I’m not complaining about repetitions, or even dropping, the ones I have already seen nearly all of the episodes of (Vicar of Dibley.) > [@](#): > > Somewhat off-topic, but related: is “Are You Being Served?” really that popular in the US? How about back in the UK? It’s on practically every PBS station in the country, b ut it seems like nobody ever mentions it. Not sure. But one reason might be that everyone (or MOSTLY everyone :mad: ) has seen most of them already and consider it old hat. I was beginning to as well before I learned there are plenty of episodes I haven’t seen. $75? Sweet, I might even drop by BB after work. From PBS it’s more like $150+. To repeat Auto, SCREW PBS! ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2007, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-semi-annual-pbs-rant/405232/14 "2007-05-24T16:55:51Z")
[QUOTE=Autolycus] I know it’s not the same, but I think for at least Monty Python, that almost everything they’ve ever done is on Youtube. _waves fist at PBS_ [/QUOTE] Specifically for the Python, yeah, it’s not the same. In fact, even watching them on channels other than PBS is not the same since they seem to take out a lot of the joining material to make room for commercials (or I might be mistaken, haven’t watched it off PBS in more than a decade.) ---
**Author:** ![fachverwirrt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@fachverwirrt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fachverwirrt)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2007, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-semi-annual-pbs-rant/405232/15 "2007-05-24T17:56:27Z")
[QUOTE=Ludovic] $75? Sweet, I might even drop by BB after work. From PBS it’s more like $150+. To repeat Auto, SCREW PBS! [/QUOTE] Again, it’s quite possible that I’m mis-remembering. Don’t get your hopes too high. (Couldn’t hurt to check, of course.) ---
**Author:** ![Kneepants\_Erasmus\_the\_Humanist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/54ee81/32.png) [@Kneepants\_Erasmus\_the\_Humanist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kneepants_Erasmus_the_Humanist)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2007, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-semi-annual-pbs-rant/405232/16 "2007-05-25T02:07:50Z")
[QUOTE=fachverwirrt] Again, it’s quite possible that I’m mis-remembering. Don’t get your hopes too high. (Couldn’t hurt to check, of course.) [/QUOTE] Well, I got mine for $59 at Half Price Books. They still had a shit load of 'em last time I was there. EDIT: Just went on their website, and they do not appear to have any stores in FL. Oops. Sorry. ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2007, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-semi-annual-pbs-rant/405232/17 "2007-05-25T03:03:07Z")
[QUOTE=elmwood] Somewhat off-topic, but related: is “Are You Being Served?” really that popular in the US? [/QUOTE] Wasn’t that the one with Mrs. Bucket that pronounced it _Bouquet_? ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2007, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-semi-annual-pbs-rant/405232/18 "2007-05-25T03:29:15Z")
> [@duffer](#): > > Wasn’t that the one with Mrs. Bucket that pronounced it Bouquet? Nope, that one’s called _Keeping Up Appearances_. ---
**Author:** ![jacquilynne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/67e7ee/32.png) [@jacquilynne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jacquilynne)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2007, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-semi-annual-pbs-rant/405232/19 "2007-05-25T15:07:45Z")
[QUOTE=fachverwirrt] I recall getting my Flying Circus box set for about $75. I could be mis-remembering (I think I got it at Best Buy). [/QUOTE] [How’s $35 grab you?](http://store.aetv.com/html/product/index.jhtml?id=72952) ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2007, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-semi-annual-pbs-rant/405232/20 "2007-05-26T00:50:29Z")
I wish to complain about this boxed set what I purchased not half an hour ago from this very boutique… [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-semi-annual-pbs-rant/405232.md?page=2)