Alabama Public Television refused to air an episode of PBS's "Arthur" that depicts a gay wedding

[Chrystal-J]

Alabama Public Television refused to air a recent episode of PBS's "Arthur" that depicts a gay wedding.

The TV station did not air the May 13 episode, titled "Mr. Ratburn and the Special Someone," according to multiple reports. Programming Director Mike McKenzie told NBC News that PBS alerted stations in advance of "possible viewer concerns about the content of the program" and after viewing the episode themselves, multiple APT staffers decided to broadcast a rerun in its place.

"The vast majority of parents will not have heard about the content, whether they agree with it or not," McKenzie said in a statement to NBC News and AL.com. "Because of this, we felt it would be a violation of trust to broadcast the episode."

In a statement to USA TODAY, PBS representative Maria Vera Whelan said that member stations make independent decisions about programming.

"PBS Kids programs are designed to reflect the diversity of communities across the nation," she added in a statement. We believe it is important to represent the wide array of adults in the lives of children who look to PBS Kids every day."

Link: Airing 'Arthur' gay wedding would be a 'violation of trust,' Alabama TV station says

 

[WherevertheWindblows]

Alabama Public Television refused to air a recent episode of PBS's "Arthur" that depicts a gay wedding.

The TV station did not air the May 13 episode, titled "Mr. Ratburn and the Special Someone," according to multiple reports. Programming Director Mike McKenzie told NBC News that PBS alerted stations in advance of "possible viewer concerns about the content of the program" and after viewing the episode themselves, multiple APT staffers decided to broadcast a rerun in its place.

"The vast majority of parents will not have heard about the content, whether they agree with it or not," McKenzie said in a statement to NBC News and AL.com. "Because of this, we felt it would be a violation of trust to broadcast the episode."

In a statement to USA TODAY, PBS representative Maria Vera Whelan said that member stations make independent decisions about programming.

"PBS Kids programs are designed to reflect the diversity of communities across the nation," she added in a statement. We believe it is important to represent the wide array of adults in the lives of children who look to PBS Kids every day."

Link: Airing 'Arthur' gay wedding would be a 'violation of trust,' Alabama TV station says

Maybe they felt that particular episode was a little over the top for a child?

I can't imagine how it could be worse then that drag queen story hour for small children was. Turns out a couple of those drag queens trusted with the children were actually convicted pedophiles.

Schools aren't often exercising good judgment these days so kudo's for PBS, surprised they won't be sued for over it for whatever reason.

 

[chevyontheriver]

Alabama Public Television refused to air a recent episode of PBS's "Arthur" that depicts a gay wedding.

The TV station did not air the May 13 episode, titled "Mr. Ratburn and the Special Someone," according to multiple reports. Programming Director Mike McKenzie told NBC News that PBS alerted stations in advance of "possible viewer concerns about the content of the program" and after viewing the episode themselves, multiple APT staffers decided to broadcast a rerun in its place.

"The vast majority of parents will not have heard about the content, whether they agree with it or not," McKenzie said in a statement to NBC News and AL.com. "Because of this, we felt it would be a violation of trust to broadcast the episode."

So Alabama Public Television wisely decided not to air that episode. But every other public television station had the same advanced notice and went ahead and aired the episode anyway. Hmmm. Talk about a violation of trust.

 

[Chrystal-J]

Alabama is leading the way back to sanity for this country!

 

[Chrystal-J]

Schools aren't often exercising good judgment these days so kudo's for PBS, surprised they won't be sued for over it for whatever reason.

I was thinking the same thing.

 

[Virgil the Roman]

A solitary taper amidst the dark of night.