Archibald: Alabama execution of Big Bird gets temporary stay

This is an opinion column.

Consider this a pop quiz: Which quotes belong to Oscar the Grouch, and which ones come from Ferris Stephens, the chairman of the Alabama Educational Television Commission? The truth is, there is no way to tell. Oscar has the quotes without the sentiment, while Stephens—who has effectively put a hit out on the icons of Sesame Street—has the sentiment without the clever quotes. You have to wonder, have you ever actually seen the two of them in the same room?

Stephens, who has served for 15 years leading the board that provides Alabama with public broadcasting, has made it clear he wants to wipe the airwaves clean of what he considers rot. That list includes staples like Sesame Street, Antiques Roadshow, Ken Burns documentaries, Arthur, Reading Rainbow, Nova, and PBS Newshour. As the saying goes: Get out of here, you little red menace!

The Battle for Public TV

Stephens and his allies on the commission and foundation boards have been working for months to sever Alabama's ties with PBS. However, supporters of the network breathed a collective sigh of relief recently when a foundation board meeting was abruptly canceled. The meeting would have authorized a no-bid $47,500 contract for a Republican-aligned firm selected by Stephens to poll 600 Alabamians on their public television habits.

This push stands in stark contrast to previous efforts. Between 2023 and 2024, three studies conducted through state universities cost just $7,380 and surveyed 1,540 viewers, finding that while Alabama Public Television can be difficult to locate in a crowded media landscape, it remains well-regarded by the public.

A Disputed Path Forward

Governor Kay Ivey has previously cautioned that any move to drop PBS should only occur after a thorough planning process and a clear understanding of public opinion. She specifically noted that any disaffiliation should be a response to long-term voter trends, not an isolated snapshot. Despite this, the board voted 6 to 2 last month to fund the McLaughlin and Associates survey using their rainy-day fund—a move board member Logan Glass criticized as neither fiscally conservative nor fair to donors.

While it is unclear why the latest meeting was canceled—with some speculation that the firm chose to step away—many observers are calling it a temporary victory. However, board member Pete Conroy, who opposes the effort, offered a stern warning via social media.

"McLaughlin & Associates is OUT. The controversial survey deal is dead, and the meeting has been postponed," Conroy wrote. "But don’t celebrate just yet. We suspect Chairman Stephens and a few others may already be looking for another politically motivated firm."

As the potential search for a new firm continues, the future of Alabama's public airwaves remains uncertain. Close your eyes and dream of all the trash that’s yet to come.