Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 8:30 pm Post subject: The History (?) Channel
I posted this on my blog on Sunday night:
Quote:
We’re watching a modestly interesting documentary on the History Channel called “Axe Men”. It’s about lumberjacks in the Pacific Northwest. Once I got beyond wondering when they would sing Monty Python’s Lumberjack Song (they didn’t, by the way), I started wondering about a much bigger and more important question.
This is a routine documentary on contemporary events, the sort of thing that has long been the staple of the Discovery Channel or the National Geographic channel. It’s NOT history. What is this doing on the History Channel? Or “Ice Road Truckers”? Again, interesting, but not history.
I can remember a time when the History Channel actually showed quality history programming. It carried the excellent “Civil War Journal” series. It has done some really interesting programming on the presidents of the United States. Or “History’s Mysteries”, another favorite of mine. There was a time when this channel was history, 24/7/365, and that’s what made it unique. You could always find something that was purely historical and often really interesting on the History Channel.
Now, it’s the UFO/paranormal channel, with lots of of programs about Adolf Hitler and Nostradamus, and these stupid documentaries that have nothing to do with history. Now, I completely understand that television programming is a business and that networks are going to air what makes money for them. I get that. It makes sense.
Here’s the description of another new series:
Gangland, the new series on The History Channel, takes you inside prisons and on the streets of America to view the most violent and influential gangs in our modern times.
The key to that description is the word “modern”. Again, it’s contemporary stuff and NOT history.
However, why not just be honest about it and give up the charade that this is still supposed to be a network that carries legitimate, serious programming about history. Just change the name and stop defrauding the public as to the nature of the content by calling yourself a “history channel” when it is now far, far from being that.
I miss the real History Channel, and I despise the crap that has taken its place.
Then, last night, I posted this:
Quote:
I seem to have struck a nerve with yesterday’s post. We’ve had about a dozen comments so far, including an especially good one from old friend Ted Savas, I decided to send my complaint on to the History Channel.
The following, although a little difficult to find, appears on THC’s website:
It is important to us to receive feedback from our viewers, and we appreciate your taking the time to contact us.
I took them up on it. I copy/pasted last night’s blog entry into an e-mail and sent it on. I want to encourage anyone else who cares about this issue to do the same. You can send your e-mails to thc.viewerrelations at aetv.com. Maybe a popular revolt by those of us who have been loyal viewers for years might bring back the sort of programming we want. Maybe not. But it’s worth a try.
Lots of my readers have written in to let me know that they have e-mailed THC. If you feel as strongly about this problem as I do, then please send an e-mail. Let's see if we can't force a change.
Eric _________________ "If you want to have some fun, jine the cav'ry!"
RickAllen Official Chronicler of Gettysburg Tours!
Joined: Feb 13, 2004 Posts: 4288 Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 10:14 am Post subject:
I've been screaming about this for YEARS!!!!
I once went on a rant agains Modern Marvels and I swear I felt something deep inside my head burst.
Well done Eric!
Of all the History Channels, History International is my favorite one........I'm lucky it's on my basic cable package, but I would probably fork over a few bucks for that channel if I had to.
The History Channel itself died long ago. Hopefully something can be done to slap them back into reality, but I doubt it.
Regards,
Rick _________________ " Do you like French fries, Wyatt Earp?"
RickAllen Official Chronicler of Gettysburg Tours!
Joined: Feb 13, 2004 Posts: 4288 Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 3:29 pm Post subject:
Perfect case in point.
Yesterday, I got back from my Doctors appt and my blood pressure was very high again........so I decided to sit back and mellow out watching some TV.
On 'The History Channel' there were three consecutive episodes of some moronic show called' UFO Chasers'...............not good for my blood pressure.
On History International was a great series of shows on Roman Emperors. Naturally, I opted for the Romans. Debouchery and incest is much better for my blood pressure than three geeks chasing UFO clues could ever be.
Between ' Ice Road Truckers" and that new show about lumberjacks......I'm just about done with that abomination of a channel........I dont even care if there is something on that I want to watch......they've pissed me off enough now where I wont even give them the satisfaction.
Even when it was"The Hitler Channel" , at least it was about History.
Now, I have to go meditate.
Regards,
Rick _________________ " Do you like French fries, Wyatt Earp?"
Joined: Mar 04, 2004 Posts: 4926 Location: Suburb of Philadelphia
Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2008 1:31 pm Post subject:
Well, I dont rightly know about the rest of you good folks but
I'm a Lumberman and I don't care
All-in-all it IS a HUGE SHAME! _________________ I Remain
Your Ob't Servant
Allan
Time sets all things right. Error lives but a day. Truth is eternal.
A Great Civilization is not Conquered from Without until It has Destroyed Itself from Within
So has anyone received an email back from the station formerly known as The History Channel?
Yes, even the title of the show MODERN Marvels is out of place on a station with the word HISTORY in it's name.
I understand that they've got 168 hours of air time to fill during a week AND continue to air new programs and would excuse a few programs that aren't really related to history (no matter how subtly they try to throw in some history into each program), but the ratio of history versus modern programming is way too low.
Then again, if they aired another show similar to the last absurd one they did about Abraham Lincoln, I'd rather watch another episode of Modern Marvels. _________________ "Let us have faith that right makes might..."
- Abraham Lincoln
Joined: Mar 20, 2004 Posts: 2519 Location: By the winding Allegheny
Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2008 3:12 pm Post subject:
Just a brief note here from the Norm here .. I read the posts to him and he asked if he could add his two cents so ... here goes .. this might be the only time I get him to speak up !! haha ..
" Hi, I'm Norm, Mindy's husband. She's been reading me the comments on the History Channel to which my thoughts are 'you're surprised that a television station would misrepresent its programming? It's the sign of our times. Businesses misrepresenting their products?? Shocking ? Unheard of ! Can you name me anything that hasn't been changed, misrepresented, bastardized ? Our very language it's very meaning of words has been changed to suite fads - everything has become faddish in that, what ever is hot today is what we pitch ! Now me, I'm just a dumb shift working mill worker and when I land on the recliner, I want to see things that will interest me. I prefer science and history channels but there is such a cross over that I really don't pay that much attention to what channel has the programming I like - just the fact that I can find it. Period. If I find things on the science channel that should be on the HC that I find interesting, or visa versa, no problem. I have long since given up expecting cultured business, etc to follow any kind of non changing standard. Everything is just packed mentality. My biggest peeve is getting evolution/religion shoved down my throat on so called science channels, which we have several. So if I get totally disgusted, I just move on to something that just spurs my interest.
I do appreciate your yearning for 'straight history' on History channels but we don't get straight science on science channels. We don't get unbiased reporting in politics on any channels. Thank God for talk radio, if all else fails. So we can at least find out what is happening behind the headlines that we get fed. Things current on the HC will soon be tomorrow's history. Get used it, they are not going to change. After all, it is all about money.
Thanks for letting me put my two cents in. Hey, how bout this idea ? I nation wide talk radio channel purely for history ? "
Thanks for letting me share that. And, let me reassure you, once you get him started, he doesn't stop talking. Just Kidding !!!
And you know Allan, you never met the Lumberman til you met Norm ! He wears flannel all the time !!!
I wonder too if anyone will hear from THC ... I will let you know if I do.
Mindy _________________ There is nothing so kingly as kindness; there is nothing so royal as truth.
Joined: Nov 02, 2004 Posts: 133 Location: Hamburg, NY
Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2008 7:25 pm Post subject:
I have been thinking this for a bit too. It doesn't just end at UFO Hunters or Axe Men, but most of their history items are things that I have no use for.
I agree that The History Channel is really in dire need of "getting back to it's roots"... They have embraced reality and shock TV instead of history. And quite honestly, almost every program that IS related to history is ALWAYS slanted on that channel. There is bias in one direction and they tend to use the same so-called "experts" in a lot of them which in turn leads to nothing original.
You get one view of a topic, as long as it is politically correct or has shock value, and all other takes are disregarded...
I used to love to watch THC, now I tend to just watch the Food Channel.. it is more interesting...
Joined: Mar 04, 2004 Posts: 4926 Location: Suburb of Philadelphia
Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 1:30 pm Post subject:
I think we need more "Gettysburg Pyrates" programming _________________ I Remain
Your Ob't Servant
Allan
Time sets all things right. Error lives but a day. Truth is eternal.
A Great Civilization is not Conquered from Without until It has Destroyed Itself from Within
Joined: Mar 20, 2004 Posts: 2519 Location: By the winding Allegheny
Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008 5:50 pm Post subject:
How about Pittsburgh Pirates? They are historical .. or is that HYSTERICAL !!! What a pathetic excuse for a baseball team.
This morning I caught the program about the prison in Chicago on HC, a surprise to see that. That place and staff were the things nightmares are made of - horror - Camp Douglas.
Mindy _________________ There is nothing so kingly as kindness; there is nothing so royal as truth.
Have you noticed some of the promos where they try to justify contemporary programming on a channel that's supposed to be about history? It goes something like, "Where history happens now."
The name change is absolutely ridiculous. So now when they sponsor anything, we'll hear something like this, "The CWPT photo contest is sponsored by History" or "The proceeding program has been brought to you by History." Kind of just rolls off the tongue.
Their mission statment needs to be adjusted. Here's what I propose:
History, formerly named The History Channel, is a cable/satellite station that airs whatever kind of crap we think will get viewers to watch our formerly respected station. Airing stuff that has a direct correlation to past events is secondary and can only be considered a bonus.
Since we grew tired of being referred to as the "Hitler Channel", we're doing a complete about face. No longer will you be able to count on us to get your fix on history. If you want history, try the Military channel. _________________ "Let us have faith that right makes might..."
- Abraham Lincoln
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Thanks guys.
Just Kidding !!!
