PBS launches free retro channel

[DramatistDreamer]

It’s a shame that the theater and dance programs eventually fell by the wayside, but the opera clearly still garners financial support from the pledged support of deep pocketed viewers but yes, Venza executive producer a lot what once sustained PBS performing arts programming at one time.

[Khan]

BITD, I wished that someone like Venza would have come to daytime and elevated soaps to the same level as all those great programs he ushered in for PBS.  Someone who would get soaps as far away from all the gimmickry as possible and put the focus back on where it belonged: great writing, great acting, great directing and producing.

Edited June 4 by Khan

[DramatistDreamer]

Wow yeah, we could only imagine what that would yield. Or even someone like Christopher Sarson who originated Masterpiece Theatre.
Did you ever see that series I, Claudius? I imagine, in the right hands, the best produced daytime dramas could have risen to those heights. I, Claudius at it’s core, was really fantastic soap opera.

[Khan]

I agree!  Or even the original "Forsyte Saga," for that matter!  I think those two miniseries, along with our own "Adams Chronicles," should have become the template for all soaps.

[SFK]

I, Claudius was Esther Shapiro's inspiration for Dynasty. So many great performances in that series, and Dame Sian Phillips' Livia makes Alexis look like a wet pussycat.