I've only ever seen a public TV station staffer take a hard sell approach once. Years ago, a pledge drive host, in marked contrast to her ordinarily calm, cool demeanor, told viewers during a break, "The phones are not ringing, and frankly, I do not understand it! Call now, or we're not going to respect you in the morning!"
I still don't know if it was her idea or management's idea to take such a blunt approach. Interestingly, however, during the next pledge break, she was far more subtle and polite.
