I do not watch much television, so what I do watch is, to me, special. Since I don't have full cable television, what I do watch is limited to the broadcast channels, and whatever extras that the cable company offers us.
One of those channels I do watch is PBS-Create, which has a lot of shows on home improvement, travel, cooking and other such shows. So, two of my shows have apparently changed, along with a magazine I like to read.
I've read online that Christopher Kimball (of Cook's Illustrated, America's Test Kitchen and Cook's Country fame) has departed from the parent company of those media over a contract dispute.
My first indication of the problem was that the recent issue of Cook's Illustrated had, instead of Mr. Kimball's personal editorial, a generic message from the editors that basically had the appeal of cold oatmeal.
Like him or not, the loss of Mr. Kimball will not help this company, in my humble opinion. He was the heart and soul of the shows and even the magazine.
If they do not replace him - fast - with someone who is as engaging and entertaining to the audience, I only see these three media suffering as a result.
I've noticed that he's already off of the tour section of the America's Test Kitchen website. Boston Commons Press is obviously on the ball about their web presence. From what I've seen about a lot of companies and how long it takes them to update their websites, that isn't common.
It's sad to see his presence on the show end like this, though.
I know, I know, it's a business, and in the end, this was all just a business decision. But reality does not wrap itself around that quite so neatly.
Besides, deep down, "business decisions" does not take away the actuality that whatever happens in a business is also personal. I get the feeling that a lot of Mr. Kimball's fans will take this personally.
It'll take some time to see the end results of this.
Peace be unto you.
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