KERA Axes Think, The TV Show

By Robert Wilonsky Wed., Apr. 20 2011 at 1:56 PM

Categories: Media

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KERA's teevee side sends word: In order to "remain fiscally responsible and to move the organization forward in an ever-changing media landscape," the public broadcaster has canceled the Friday-night version of Krys Boyd's chat show Think, which also features the great Jerome Weeks. It is also laying off six employees, says KERA President and CEO Mary Anne Alhadeff, who adds that the move is due in part to the uncertainty over Congressional funding of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting -- which, per last week's budget deal, will actually remain at the same level over the coming two years. From the KERA release:

The organization's annual operating budget is largely funded through private sources. Eighty-nine percent of operating revenue comes from contributions by members, business support and grants made by foundations. Federal funding, administered through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) in support of KERA TV and Radio, comprises eleven percent (or $1.8 million) of the operating budget.

Congress recently kept Fiscal Year 2011 funding for public broadcasting largely intact through September 2011. However, Congress has yet to begin working on the details for Fiscal Year 2012 that begins October 1st.

"The position reductions and the ending of Think TV are part of an ongoing management process to remain fiscally responsible and to move the organization forward in an ever-changing media landscape," said Ms. Alhadeff. "Public broadcasting continues to provide programming not seen or heard anywhere else. We are always mindful of using our resources to achieve the greatest possible public service impact now and for the future."

Boyd's radio show will remain in its usual spot: weekdays from noon till 2 p.m. I blame this on Merten. Why? Jump.

Watch the full episode. See more Think.

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Ugh, don't remind me of what they sold that TV channel for (and don't remind me of the former CEO that did it)!! I think they also paid that much for the new radio station.
If everyone who listens, watches and consumes web content of KERA FM, KERA TV, KERA World, KXT and Art & Seek would just join at the basic, 10 cents a day level, those fine folks would probably not have lost their jobs. I hereby deputize you all as undercover membership police officers. Let's apply some good, old-fashioned SHAME. Bust your friends and make them pledge!! Thank you. Love, The Membership Police Chief
Remember, KERA's excuse for selling it's incredibly valuable Channel 2 to the Snake Chunking Preachers for $18 mil, when other VHF's were going for half a billion (yeah, I know it was educational, but $18 million wouldn't buy you a smallish FM in DFW back then ...) KERA promised us $18 mill was to support and fund more local programming. Daystar, one high exec suggested in a recent lawsuit, the Ol' Debil has made their owners do the nasty with employees, trying to destroy the ministry 'cause it's so effective, has that channel, pleads for money non-stop. Pleads for money. Well, some things never change.
You've got to be kidding! "A Way With Words" rocks...are you not interested in the English language? And "Calling All Pets" was a nice diversion...sorry it's not on anymore. Do you not have a dog or a cat? Or a heart? "Gay"? Come on....try harder to insult. I'm a huge NPR fan and dollar-a-day sponsor and I can't stand "This American Life" because of Ira Glass's annoying voice!! He sounds like a nerd friend of mine from high school...couldn't stand then...couldn't stand at the class reunion. I agree with you on Terry Gross (though sometimes she lets her colors show) and Diane Rehm...she knows how very politely to call someone out...but you're criticism of Krys Boyd is unfair and I again challenge you to listen to her more often.
Great, now more time for one of the hundreds of infomercials for Celtic Women, Tigers, Financial planning, music from 1960's has beens, or other . They seem to have no interest broadcasting Austin City Limits and seem to pre-empt almost every National PBS documentary that has any controversy. KERA kept replacing Bill Moyer's award winning program, I gave up and started to watch in on the web. No local programing combined with their replacement/or not running National programing, makes KERA about as innovative as the PBS station I used to watch from Terra Haute. What do they use the new facility for since they broadcast little to no local programing?
I agree Krys seems to read the books she's interviewing. But, seems to absorb nothing after the show. She plays the cypher too often and really doesn't bring anything from her own bag/memory/outside sources to challenge the guest. She does a good job of helping to articulate the guest's message, but it's up to the callers to throw some sand in the vaseline. I agree with you about the TV being fairly dreadful, miss Glenn who seemed to have an uncanny ability to connect with seemingly every guest. The Newshour re-broadcast is great--and may be my idea, as it may come for free whereas the shows you mentioned would cost more. The Newshour is seldom reliant on video support, and is not exactly a TV success (in terms of fully utilizing the video and all components) though the reporting is unparalleled. "A Way with Words" has got to be the second gayest radio show to ever air, the gayest being, "Calling All Pets;" even JackeJett's radio show couldn't touch those two--though I like the etymology thing, I get ribbed by my co-workers. I don't Krys is ready for the national stage. Terry Gross and Diane Rehm are far more assertive regarding defending facts, and challenging the guest politely. I think Diane may have the biggest balls in broadcasting despite that every kind, and polite demeanor. More local stories would be a vast improvement. KERA also seems to pick odd friends, why no Ed Wallace on car issues? rather than some Yankee import? You're more likely to get a gardener from the West Coast than a local one. It's really baffling.
Thanks, Jack. <i>Finally</i>, someone speaks the truth!
First, disclosure: my husband works at KERA. Now some facts: Regarding the building, because of a capital campaign and the generous contributions of many people from throughout North Texas, the new building was completely paid for when it opened. The original structure it replaced was originally WFAA's studios from the early 60s. Regarding the digital conversion, well, that was federally mandated and was a have-to-do. And also in our Digital Age, if KERA had not converted, it would not be on the air. Would more local programming be a good thing. Of course. KERA, the television station, is one of the highest viewed PBS stations in the U.S., but one of the lowest supported. I think everyone plays a role and has responsibility.
Krys Boyd's THINK is an excellent show on the radio and you can tell she does her research. Anyone who thinks differently simply hasn't listened to her show for any length of time...so I'm dismissive of these postings. Agreed, the TV show was not good...it was always better when they replayed it on the radio. Some things just don't translate. I've enjoyed Krys for years and even before when she was Krys Via Senor and she did Conversations at 6:30pm at night on the radio about 10 years ago. Agreed, I also miss Glenn Mitchell who was quite simply one of the best interviewers and his "Everything You Ever Wanted To Know" just is not the same...even though Jeff Whittington gives it the old college try. Now, if they would only axe the stupid radio replay of "The Newshour with Jim Lehrer." To me, pointless. I'd rather hear "A Way With Words" or any number of the other NPR programs. Also, to answer another posting about local content on THINK...KERA is probably shopping that around nationally...and it needs to be not Dallas specific always. THINK is also a podcast. And, again, some may not be listening everyday because THINK does quite a bit of local Dallas stories and those that apply to North Texas.
Me be thanking that Mr. Merten is looking mighty fine these days and me gots a history of men looking.
I believe if KERA hadn't spend so much on its building, its digital conversion, its executive's salaries...local coverage wouldn't have to suffer...
Mitchell's interview skills were very impressive. Glad I'm not the only one who remembers. Agree on Boyd, but since she's my Opus the Penguin-type newswoman crush, I feel obligated to cheer for her.
Think used to cover local issues, but it hasn't in the last couple of years. They pretty much repeat the same book-tour interviews you already get on Morning Edition, Diane Rehm, Fresh Air, and All Things Considered. Same ol', same ol'.... It seems like KERA is trying to position it for a national franchise a la Fresh Air, but it hasn't taken off. I suppose Terri Gross and/or Diane Rehm will eventually retire and maybe then other stations will be casting about for a similar show. . .
"Think" on 90.1 is one of my favorites; Krys' interview skills are excellent! I think she's better than Terri Gross on "Fresh Air". I agree that it would be nice to hear more about local issues.
Wow, that's really disappointing. I loved Think and always thought it deserved to go national. :(
Or find Karen Denard.
Thoughts on Richie Midget's post about Colby? Deadspin was very kind to him. All the new commenters are trying to throw his editor under the bus as well, for letting him write something so idiotic. Not me though, I know y'all can't afford an editor for the Sportatorium...Hell, you can't afford a decent writer over there..(No dig at you Sammy Mer, we don't get to enjoy your fine work near enough)
Boyd is not horrible, she's just not in her element. She seems bored to death by her guests. And the guests are not very intruiging, as they once were. Let's reanimate Glenn Mitchell.
They should have axed the whole thing. Boyd has terrible interview skills, you can't get on the show without being on a book tour and it has little relevancy to what's going on in Dallas on any particular day. Hard to believe this is the same outfit that produced Newsroom - the template for all such local and national news shows to follow. At exactly the time when local programming is needed most - when citizens are hungry for the story behind the story - this show goes out of its way to ignore any local politics, arts, culture, etc. Think about the most important and or controversial subjects in Dallas over the last 2-3 years and there's absolutely no overlap with the content of Think shows over the same period. Sad.
That's what I mean, Colonel.
Maybe they just wanted to end on a high, Robert.
Interesting...I was actually thinking today after listening to Kris do her brilliant interviewing work that KERA ought to syndicate the show to other stations to make some bucks.
Sam looks like an ad for the documentary "Colonel Sanders; The Early Years".
Dear Mr. Merten - We are sorry to inform you that since the series "Deadwood" has been cancelled, your services as the actor playing the "Drunk miner in the whorehouse" will no longer be required. We wish you the best in all your future endeavorers, HBO TV Enterntainment
I believe he's spending his off hours playing George Custer as part of a Civil War re-enactment group.
I blame it on Merten's ridiculous page boy hair cut and even more ridiculous facial hair. For once, I agree with you, Wilonsky.