Wow, that is truly appalling.
Yeah, Bob and Penny Lord are rather sugary sweet for my taste as well - but they have written quite a few Catholic books as well as traveled the world to bring many beautiful religious stories to television. EWTN sure doesn't have the dollars to finance expensive pilgrimages, so the network plugs into people who do have the money and time to bring religious sites to an audience who would otherwise not see or hear about them. Ya do what ya gotta do!
As far as EWTN being a "silly network for Catholic women" - that is kind of a dopey comment to make. Obviously you don't watch "World Over Live" (w/Cardinal Arinze this Friday) or "EWTN Live" with Fr. Pakwa or "The Journey Home" with Marcus Grodi - they are not silly women shows. The Mass that EWTN airs is beautiful and often has wonderful visiting priests saying them. Great especially for shut-ins. The coverage that EWTN provides of the bishops meetings or the travels of Pope John Paul are not found anywhere else.
Many, many people have accidentally paused on EWTN while channel surfing and they stay... and learn about what the Catholic Church teaches. EWTN is spreading the Gospel to a huge audience.
It's too bad that the St. Pius society doesn't have it's own network... maybe someone should think about starting one and see what happens.
And the progressives absolutely froth at the mouth at the mere mention of EWTN - it's really predictable and funny to watch - not that they have anything to offer as a Catholic media alternative to EWTN... they just hate it and they hate Mother Angelica even more. Try to find mention of EWTN in your local parish bulletin or even in Commonweal or National Catholic Reporter. You won't unless it is mentioned as a passing slap or put down.
Find a liberal bishop on EWTN...no... but quite a few if not all of the more conservative bishops have been on that network. It's funny... EWTN is almost some sort of litmus test.
Here's a good article on ETWN found in the National Review Online.
Where would you like the break? I would be happy to oblige.
So, you think Catholic women are silly? You think Catholic women are not serious about their faith?