Bad TV is making moldering, glassy-eyed couch potatoes of us all and there seems to be no end to the dumb stuff -- or at least that's what some say. But what if there were TV superheroes, part of a whole network devoted to the idea of smart TV where people could learn stuff rather than be lulled into watching brainless gags over and over?
According to the folks at Gritty Reboots, salvation is at hand, thanks to the stars of PBS television. In a faux trailer for a movie that sadly isn't going to get made, the iconic stars (all played by actors) of the Public Broadcasting Service -- Bill Nye ("The Science Guy"), Bob Ross ("The Joy of Painting"), Carl Sagan ("Cosmos") and Mr. Rogers (of "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood") -- all band together to combat junk television ... with help from kids and a giant flying PBS logo/spaceship.
"Why are they doing this?" wonders a TV executive (who has three seasons of "Dog Pranks" ready to air, by the way).
"Some men just want to watch the world learn," says his assistant with a mix of trepidation and awe.
Yeah, you could suggest a little diversity would have been nice for the PBS Heroes saga -- maybe part two should feature Julia Child and "Reading Rainbow's" LeVar Burton. But unless (or until) that sequel comes out, this is one that'll make viewers want to stand up for the little guys who just want to make the world smarter.
Whether it'll help on the next pledge drive remains to be seen.