Chuck,
He's neither.
That is, I think, more the result of the incredibly snooty, snobby, pseudo-intellectual, "I'm superior to you, because I appreciate the finer aspects of culture" mentality which underlies those dratted "send us money now or we will hold your PBS station hostage to these stupid money drives until you do!" spots which always seem to accompany his programs.
I've been lucky enough to see him live here in Europe a couple of times and, believe me, he is just plain fun.
Given that the level off performance and artistic expression is generally much higher in the US than here in Europe, I really wish Americans would get past this nonsense that liking music, theater and the other fine arts is somehow only for the "upper classes".
He also tells the most delightfully bawdy jokes and makes quite pointed puns during these grand performances. Unfortunately, when they are in English, the good people at PBS feel obligated to edit them out. Americans see that differently than we do, as I am so often reminded when I make the mistake of thinking in German and writing in English and half the board is truly offended 'cause I used a four letter word...I wish I could translate for you his comment on Bush#43 and the German Chancellor's meeting...it was delightful and not appropriate for here.
So give him another chance. The pomposity is PBS, not him. And, yes, I love PBS and am thankful for the one and only alternative to Faux news and numbed down trailor-trash culture American TV has to offer. But their arrogance grates.
