Rocky Mountain PBS, a network of four Colorado public-television stations, is 50 years old and still looking for financial security.
Management threw a combination cocktail party/press conference/fundraising plea Thursday night at KRMA-Channel 6 .
It was all about the money.
Producers of four of PBS’ most popular shows told a large audience of station supporters about upcoming programs and, not incidentally, threw in several mentions of diminishing financial resources.
Lou Wiley, executive editor of “Frontline”; Rebecca Eaton, producer of “Mystery!” and “Masterpiece Theater”; executive producer Paula Aspell of “Nova”; and Channel 6 producer Cynthia Hessin took turns emphasizing the importance of financial and political support.
Despite declining governmental and corporate funding, however, all promised a sterling upcoming season. It includes:
“Frontline” documentaries on ground zero, counterterrorism, the news media and growing old.
“Nova” shows on the horrendous collision of two 747s in the Canary Islands in 1977, energy-efficient cars around the world (featuring The Car Guys) and African-American scientist Percy Julian.
“Masterpiece Theater’s” semi-racy version of “Casanova,” starring Peter O’Toole, and a best-of program that will include parts of the popular “Upstairs/
Downstairs.” “Mystery!” will bring back Helen Mirren for one last “Prime Suspect” series.
Channel 6’s “Colorado State of Mind” will move toward using more media and community leaders in discussing public issues.
Aspell pointed out proudly that “Nova” has been on the air for 26 years, “longer than ‘Seinfeld’ and ‘Friends.”‘
The fiscal and political climate for PBS in Washington is “very, very fragile,” Eaton warned, to which Aspell responded, “Budget is always a consideration.”
All four producers paled at the thought of public television becoming more commercial or more populist. They agreed that while PBS may be in “reduced circumstances,” it will never, said Eaton, “lower the bar in terms of quality.”
Around the dial
Five-year-old Zoe Grisez has her wish come true when she meets “American Idol’s” Ace Young face to face this morning at the KWLI 92.5-FM studios. Young, an “AI” finalist, is from Boulder … Tickets on sale Sept. 15 for the return of Tim Conway and Harvey Korman in their “farewell tour” at the Convention Center Lecture Hall on Dec. 9, sponsored by KEZW 1430-AM … Quotable: “Public television is the only place to produce a distinctive product, important for broad reasons, that is driven by more than a desire for quick ratings.” Fareed Zakaria.
Dick Kreck’s column appears Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. He may be reached at 303-954-1456 or dkreck@denverpost.com.
