I didn't see the show because I don't have a television. I just wanted to say that I see nothing intrisicly wrong with giving an interview to a TV show. If you spoke in support of herp keeping and your words were true, that's all anyone can ask of you. You try to get a good message out and if they edit it to make it sound like you said something you didn't then that's on the editors. In the greater context one episode of one show is just a small battle in a much larger war.
My opinion is you've got to try to get your message out and eventually there will be a chance to set the record straight.

One thing to remember is that all these animal shows, no matter how much they try to tear down private herp keeping, still have the net effect of increasing the publics desire to keep herps.
There is a set of reactions that is likely to occur with these shows.
1) Validate the feelings of those who were already against private herp keeping.
2) Upset the feelings of those who were already for private herp keeping.
3) Cause formerly disinterested people to become interested in the issue.

With #3 there are any number of reactions from good to bad but one thing is for sure, some of those people will want to keep herps. Some will want to get involved with "official" organizations but many will find the opportunities limited and turn into private keepers. In fact I think most people will find the logistics involved in becoming "professionals" too prohibitive to persue. So even when these shows try to portray herp keeping in a negative light they have a side effect of increasing the demand for private ownership of herps. That's just something for people to consider.
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