# PBS v. plethora of cable networks **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [February 19, 2000, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pbs-v-plethora-of-cable-networks/17511 "2000-02-19T21:09:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ChiefScott](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58f4c7/32.png) [@ChiefScott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChiefScott)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2000, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pbs-v-plethora-of-cable-networks/17511/1 "2000-02-19T21:09:00Z")
I quite enjoy self-help television programming. Compared to HGTV, TLC and other cable channels dedicated to this type of programming, I still feel PBS does the best job. My Saturday mornings are filled with _This Old House, New Yankee Workshop, the Victory Garden_ and a ton of cooking shows. All that and no commercial breaks. Well worth the 50 bucks I pledge each year… * * * “Though I hate 'em, I’ll defend to my death your right to use smilies.” Forward deployed until 18AUG00 ---
**Author:** ![Rousseau](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/779978/32.png) [@Rousseau](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rousseau)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2000, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pbs-v-plethora-of-cable-networks/17511/2 "2000-02-20T00:23:00Z")
What’s the question? * * * “History will be kind to me, for I intend to write it.” -Winston Churchill ---
**Author:** ![Sage](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Sage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2000, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pbs-v-plethora-of-cable-networks/17511/3 "2000-02-20T00:26:00Z")
😃😃😃 **good question!** 😃😃😃 ---
**Author:** ![ChiefScott](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58f4c7/32.png) [@ChiefScott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChiefScott)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2000, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pbs-v-plethora-of-cable-networks/17511/4 "2000-02-20T00:46:00Z")
I’ll restate what I believe is obvious: Which do you prefer and why? ::grumble,grumble:: GD snobs… * * * “Though I hate 'em, I’ll defend to my death your right to use smilies.” Forward deployed until 18AUG00 ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2000, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pbs-v-plethora-of-cable-networks/17511/5 "2000-02-20T01:23:00Z")
ChiefScott – HGTV has one decent home help show – “Room by Room” – gives me ideas but doesn’t require that I own a shop building filled with power tools. Most of the HGTV shows are just off the wall! Ever watch the “Surprise Gardener”? I wouldn’t let my dog poop in those yards when they’re finished with them. And “Homes by Design” – designed by who? People with no taste but lotsa money. Maybe I’m just jealous, but I don’t need space for a microwave oven in the bathroom! PBS is probably a better resource for the carpenters and do-it-yourselfers. And Roger Swain and the Victory Garden? Tops!! ---
**Author:** ![jaydabee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c89c15/32.png) [@jaydabee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jaydabee)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2000, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pbs-v-plethora-of-cable-networks/17511/6 "2000-02-20T04:23:00Z")
PBS’s Antiques Road Show is great, better TV than some of those new game shows. People drag in old stuff and either get told they have uncovered a hidden treasure or that thier family heirloom is really junk! But the ones I really like are the ones who got something at an antique shop and then pretend they bought it years ago and can’t remember how much they paid for it.