PBS perspectives

Thanks to Robert Lloyd for a fun but well-written commentary about PBS [“PBS and Its Grand Ambitions,” July 17]. I agree with his comments, especially regarding the “NewsHour.” The only palpable left-leaning bias that existed on PBS was with Bill Moyers. Occasionally a leftward imbalance shows up on “Washington Week,” but it isn’t nearly as overbearing as it was until Mr. Moyers departed.

However the issue I have with PBS isn’t editorial as much as funding. I still don’t understand why my tax dollars, which are taken by force of law, are needed to support entertainment television of any kind, especially when there is such a plethora of choices on the dial. Even Mr. Lloyd acknowledges that much (most?) of what PBS offers is also available on other cable channels. Unfortunately Mr. Lloyd failed to provide any rationale for that except to refer to the fact that it has been thus for a long time.

Walter W. Tuthill

Tarzana

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Thank you for your excellent article on PBS. I am an artist who has never paid a cent for cable. But when I do see it at others’ houses I feel that I am missing absolutely nothing. PBS is the only station that has even approximated the potential of what could have been a wondrous adventure. The lack of programming on the visual arts is an abomination even on PBS. But I do eagerly look forward to Sunday nights and “Mystery!” from the Isles. It is a joy to see the beauty of place, camera, acting and dialogue, all of which are absolutely absent in anything made in this Homeland.

Jo Caldwell

San Diego

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Thank you for your thoughtful and eloquent piece in praise of PBS. The fact that KCET provides great educational and informative programming for free motivated me to become a pledge-drive host 14 years ago, and I’m still volunteering today. Thank goodness people have access to the great investigative programming of “Frontline” and the in-depth science documentaries of “Nova.” I’m also looking forward to Martin Scorsese’s documentary on Bob Dylan ... certainly programs worth supporting!

Cynthia Fox

Los Angeles