Thanks, and to Viewers Like You

I think after all these years it's about time I wrote and thank the people whose names appear as making  possible whatever I'm set to watch on PBS. 

The list changes, but is usually topped by Darlene Marcos Shiley, whose name, and sometimes image appears as the face of a benefactor. Lately, I'm missing seeing the name Conrad Prebys. Did he die? Yes he did, but in 2016.

Conrad left us on July 24, 2016, a long time ago, but I suppose his foundation has continually been philanthropic and maybe ran out of money, or good feelings. He made his money in San Diego real estate.. He was such a constant benefactor that I'm surprised his passing wasn't noted in a tribute obituary in the New York Times.

And who is Darlene Marcos Shiley? We get her image, and her voice, so she must really be forking over big bucks to PBS.

Google tells us, Darlene Marcos Shiley accumulated her wealth primarily through her late husband Donald Shiley, a biomedical engineer and inventor best known for co-inventing the Bork-Shiley tilting disc artificial heart valve.

With money coming in from that invention and the sale of his company to Pfizer, it is no wonder Darlene perennially tops the roster of PBS contributors. Go Darlene. Thanks again.

The acknowledgment roster can vary. A recent viewing for the miniseries 'Maigret' told us Darlene Marcos Shiley, Mary Brown Trust and Bob Rosen ..."and viewers like you" have made the telecast possible. So, I have to thank them.

Maigret is a famous French detective working from La Crim of the French police, from the stories of George Simenon and is played by Benjamin Wainwright, looking more handsome than any man has a right to be.

As for "viewers like you" I have to tell you I've never contributed to PBS, Channel 13, or any public television plea for money. Significantly, they didn't go away without my money either. I'm not ashamed of telling people I haven't been contributing for whatever it takes to get a tote bag for over 50 years. I'm not ashamed, either. I feel somewhat like Jimmy Breslin.

At the eulogy for Jimmy Breslin, his son Kevin told the gathered, "Thank you all for coming, because I'm not sure he would've come here for any of us.” 

Nope, not like viewers like me.

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