PBS’ Decision to Air Taped Fireworks Display Angers Viewers
One user on social media called it "the Milli Vanilli of fireworks."
TV viewers vented on social media after PBS aired a pre-taped July 4 fireworks display Monday in lieu of live footage.
The sky was overcast Monday night in Washington, D.C., so PBS chose instead to air what it called “a combination of the best fireworks from this year and previous years,” a decision greeted with mostly derision by its audience.
— A Capitol Fourth (@July4thPBS) July 5, 2016
One user on social media called it “the Milli Vanilli of fireworks,” a reference to the R&B duo that admitted to not singing the vocals on their 1988 hit record.
@July4thPBS the Milli Vanilli of fireworks #shame
— paul schwartzman (@paulschwartzman) July 5, 2016
Others scoffed at what they perceived to be an effort to deceive viewers about the weather conditions over Washington, implying that the decision was condescending to the public by sheltering it from the disappointment of a rainy Fourth of July.
I guess we can't let the citizens know it's cloudy in the capitol of good ol' USA. #July4thPBS
— Joseph Gruber (@JosephGruber) July 5, 2016
Some viewers, however, defended PBS for not showing fireworks obscured by cloud cover.
Yep. If they'd aired nothing but glowing clouds, complaints. Good job on solid backup plan 4 viewers. #July4thPBS https://t.co/YO92LhRzd1
— Joanna Kuebler (@JoannaKuebler) July 5, 2016
PBS did not immediately respond to ABC News’ request for a comment about the decision, but tweeted an apology for creating “confusion” during the broadcast.
