I know I'm laying my head on the chopping block here, but my acquaintance with this concert was through a PBS telecast during one of their periodic pledge breaks ("begathons"). When I saw "Celtic Woman," I thought of women singers and musicians from "The Six Celtic Nations" singing folk songs or songs associated with those regions. Songs and music with a little substance. Silly me!

I see an ensemble of quite attractive young women, but I wasn't expecting what turned out to be breathy renditions of such songs as "Over the Rainbow," "Ave Maria," and "Ashoken Farewell" (which, rather than Celtic, was written for the Kem Burns Civil War documentary mini-series).

Quite lovely. But . . . bland.

I put this particular telecast in the same category as other shows that PBS chronically schedules for pledge breaks:    André Rieu, Josh Groban, Yanni, the Doo-Wop Special, Doctor Who marathons, and self-improvement programs such as Wayne Dyer and the brain scientist who spends two hours plus (interrupted by opportunities to call in with your pledge) turning your brain to mush by telling you how to keep your brain from turning to mush.

If you watch PBS because of shows like Masterpiece Theatre and Mystery and Nova and Nature and Frontline, why do they think that the kind of pap they serve up for pledge breaks (which preempts the shows you do want to watch) is going to induce you to throw more money at them? Or induce new viewers to watch on the basis of "Celtic Woman" or Wayne Dyer, or André Rieu and his orchestra, his pleasant-sounding but somewhat pedestrian violin playing, and his slightly pained smile that makes him look as if his hemorrhoids are bothering him, when these specials are not characteristic of their regular programming?

Anyway. . . .

Much Ado About Nothing.
          —William Shakespeare

Don Firth