Why would anybody who hasn't heard of Ash Wednesday be disadvantaged in any way?

Mind you, I suppose a TV reporter should, in an ideal world, be aware of the traditions and superstitions of wherever they are reporting from, thinking about it.

I always knew it was the day after St Pancake's Day, but never knew why it occurred or what Christians tended to do to observe it, or indeed what they were observing.

But like Maypole dancing, Stonehenge overnighting and intolerance, they are all quaint traditions that are harmonics of the grand chord, or however you are supposed to say it these days.