Twitter lit up with controversy on July 4th following an annual broadcast of PBS’ “A Capitol Fourth”. The end of the show typically features a live fireworks display over the Washington D.C. monuments.
However, Monday’s night’s weather put a damper on the festivities with clouds in the sky and rain in the forecast. Instead of cancelling the show, producers decided to put together a montage of fireworks from previously aired shows.
They also opted not to make an announcement about the change in plans.
It didn’t take long for some viewers to spot some inconsistencies with the display, though, and they took to social media to express their outrage.
LOOK: PBS fakes the #capitolfourth fireworks. This proves it. Capitol has scaffolding on it, PBS show had none. pic.twitter.com/gtCluBDkya
— Marcus Harun (@marcusharun) July 5, 2016
Yeah, the Capitol dome scaffolding keeps disappearing & reappearing on #July4thPBS. Best worst #capitolfourth EVAH.
— Laura Seay (@texasinafrica) July 5, 2016
Wait....is PBS showing fake fireworks from another year spliced in?! Looks way to clear. #capitolfourth
— Jenn W (@RosJenn) July 5, 2016
At around 10 p.m. EDT, PBS not only acknowledged its decision to run the revamped footage, but defended it on social media.
We showed a combination of the best fireworks from this year and previous years. It was the patriotic thing to do. #July4thPBS
— A Capitol Fourth (@July4thPBS) July 5, 2016
Reaction continued on social media long after the last firework faded into the sky, including viewers who supported the decision.
#PBS4thOfJuly#PBS#capitalfourth Even on our most patriotic day, we remain the United States of the Offended.
— Just Jamie (@JamieMoncrief) July 5, 2016
According to the AP, PBS said Tuesday that they regretted not informing viewers that the station would be airing a rerun of the fireworks.
