You know, I hear a lot of people complain about the "begathons" that PBS stages during the airing of CW concerts, and I'd have to say, I'm guilty of some of that complaining myself.

But after seeing the Skate for the Heart quasi-infomercial, and thinking back to last year's skating show as well, I think it's time for a reappraisal.

The commercials during the skating event severely tested my endurance. First of all, there were TONS of them -- five commercials after every skating number, often followed by network promos. And more than a few of those commecials were for truly detestable products (diet brainwashing being the worst).

Then, after every commercial break, you had the announcer dutifully note that the event "is brought to you by..." and rattling off a list of sponsors.

And if that wasn't enough, after most of the skating numbers, you had the skaters themselves appearing in 30-second infomercials extolling the virtues of the sponsors' foods.

And let's not forget that even during the show, while Celtic Woman was there, they were relegated to the status of backup singers.

In short, the skating shows are a glimpse of the kind of TV appearances that the girls would be limited to, if it wasn't for PBS.

So with all that in mind, I say, Give me PBS begathons any day! I have nothing against capitalism and the free market, but all of that relentless product placement was just too much for me. Compare that to three or four 10-minute pledge breaks during a PBS show -- a show in which the girls are always front and centre, always the exclusive focus of attention, and during which pledge breaks it's still Celtic Woman's CDs or DVDs that are being promoted -- and I'd say, we're darned lucky that CW mainly appears on PBS...

Celeste, that's an interesting way to think of it! I will admit that I myself don't like the pledge-drives that PBS does, but my own introduction to Celtic Woman was from seeing them on TV... during a pledge-drive! That was the first time I ever saw them on TV. If it hadn't been for that pledge-drive, I might never have discovered them, and I wouldn't want to even think of life without the music of Celtic Woman.

I don't mind the beg-a-thons too much. I just wander off and find something else to do until the girls come back on

No beg-a-thon = No Celtic Woman =

I missed out on the commercials during Skate for the Heart. I wasn't home and couldn't watch it live. So, while I had to be patient to see it (and went a bit nuts knowing it was on and I couldn't watch it), I was able to DVR it and fast forward past the commercials. And one step further, I pulled the segments of the DVR to my computer. No more weeding through the entire show to watch the girls.

I agree with you guys. I think PBS is what got them on the map even with their methods.

I also wander off and go do something else when they come on and talk....I just have to remember to check back and see if they're singing again

Yea I too, wander off and find something else or start singing some of the songs that I love to hear CW singing....

That would just make me rest for a moment.