I think some corporate executives of the conventional kind infiltrated Public Broadcasting some time ago as their public funds dwindled and they devolved to a semi-commercial basis. Don't know if this affected the current reaction to the current climate.

Emotionally I agree that it is unnecessary and appears kind of cowardly to block out these scenes. But, I do not think PBS has gone spineless, I think they are going over a priority list that involves:

1)Keeping corporate sponsors happy
2)Keeping over-sensitive and hypercritical publicans happy
3)Choosing their battles

So I would grit my teeth, possibly drop 'em a line, and hope for better days.

(And Janet Jackson had nipple jewelry on. Technically she wasn't even exposed!)