Only "The Office" and to a lesser extent "Chuck" were the shows I even care to watch. Besides the outdoors and the internet have much more interesting things than the television anymore.
"They need to have a course in college called common sense and everyone should take it. Problem is there isn't too many people that could pass or teach it." -my grandfather
In terms of original content, "Lost" and "The Office" were the only two shows I made time for this past season. And "The Office" I pretty much just watch online now.
It seems that TV is either really really good, or really really bad. "Lost" is one of the all-time greats; there isn't even a close number 2 IMHO. "The Office" is all well and good, but it still feels like "Arrested Development" stripped of most of the clever jokes and ingenious situations.
I'm OK with that; hey, there are things I should be doing than watching TV. Giving up watching Idol alone probably gave me about two days worth of extra time this year. Perfect for re-watching my Arrested Development DVDs. Or, you know, reading a book, I guess.
*****
"People only insist that a debate stop when they are afraid of what might be learned if it continues." - George Will
it's the RADICAL LIBERAL FASCISM RELENTLESSLY RAMMED DOWN YOUR THROAT imho...
Tonight, on ER - INNOCENT IMPOVERSHED MOTHER OF REALLY NICE KIDS DIES PAINFUL HIDEOUS DEATH DUE TO REPUBLICANS BANNING HEALTH INSURANCE FOR NON-RICH PEOPLE...
Tonight on Law and Order - POLYGAMIST PED REPUBLICAN CHRISTIAN CULT HAULED INTO JAIL
Tonight on The Academy Awards BUSH CRIME FAMILY DOCUMENTARY WINS EVERY SINGLE AWARD POSSIBLE...
Tonight on Boston Legal FANTASTICLY NICE GAY FAMILY BROKEN UP BY REPUBLICAN CHRISTIAN GOVERNER'S "ANTI GAY-FAMILY" JESUS-HATES-FAGS LEGISLATION...
And then the ads - WOMAN HAS ORGASM WASHING HAIR IN THE SHOWER...
Hmmm - let's flip to the Disney Channel, OK kids?
Tonight on the Mickey Mouse Club ROCKIN GAY PED ORGY BREAKS OUT DURING GAY DAYS AT ORLANDO DISNEYWORLD...
Hmmm - let's toss the TV out...
Tonight on the BDS Evening News, yes Dammit, still with Katie Kouric - INTOLERANT CHRISTIAN FUNDIES CENSOR TV SHOWS BY TOSSING THEIR TV'S OUT...
...and write something snarky and decided not to. I commend you. Your comment takes the prize for being over the top hysterically funny. True comedy, that was an exceptional piece of humor. Superb! Kudos!
I don't watch much network TV, but I did get hooked on "24" several seasons ago. I looked forward to each one with anticipation. The previous year's episode was a bit farfetched, but I still hoped for redemption. Then they announced that Jeanine Garafalopogous would be starring in it. That lowered my anticipation. And then the writers' strike. I have absolutely no desire to see "24" now -- sorry, Jack -- but I'll take re-runs of "Walker, Texas Ranger" instead.
Dont watch much TV, unless it is the Outdoor channel, ESPN2, on Saturday morning from 8 to 9, (if I am not on the lake), VS on Saturdays and Sundays. A little SciFi on Friday nights and the Local 10 pm news. Most of my time is spent either in my boat, on a lake. Getting ready for a tournament or cleaning it after a tournament, or a play day.
Except the listener has to make up their own pictures. I think bias falls under content. I'll forgive all the conservative bashing on "Boston Legal" just because I think the show is pretty darn funny. But when even History starts spewing their global warming B-S on "Modern Marvels", I stopped watching that show. "24" is still at the top of my list along with "Battlestar Galactica". Oustide of that, I spend most of my time watching FNC or listening to my Chicago Cubs on the radio.
Audiences across all media is fracturing from broadcast TV and radio to the internet, mp3 players, satellite radios, etc. However, if the producers create good content, an audience will find it. If not, they'll ignore it...in large numbers.
"I'd rather be governed by the first 2,000 people in the Boston
telephone directory than the 2,000 faculty at Hardvard Unversity." -
William F. Buckley Jr.
I stopped watching BSG, when they cast Tigh as an insurgent leader who looked EXACTLY like Zarqawi. That whole season was like a big justification for AQ in Iraq.
I saw Colonel Tigh, not as AQI but, remniscant of the French Underground or even the Wolverines of "Red Dawn".
Not critcising your take on it. Just expressing mine.
"I'd rather be governed by the first 2,000 people in the Boston
telephone directory than the 2,000 faculty at Hardvard Unversity." -
William F. Buckley Jr.
All I know is that before the writer's strike I had several shows I'd watch regularly. After the strike, I had lost interest in 75% of them. Mostly because after the hiatus I realized that they were way too annoying and preachy. For the most part.
Some just didn't come back - "Chuck", "Journeyman", "Life"... Good shows that didn't survive the strike. Those I'll miss.
Some may have just coincidently outlived their own life-span: CSI (the original Las Vegas one - way too into the personal lives of the characters and not nearly enough forensics), NCIS (a seriously believability-challenged show).
WAY too many reality shows! "Step right up! Embarrass yourself, spill your guts, wallow in self-pity, all on public TV! You could win a million dollars. Or just make a fool of yourself!!"
"Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war" - Shakespeare
"They need to have a course in college called common sense and everyone should take it. Problem is there isn't too many people that could pass or teach it." -my grandfather
Last night I watched the season ending House episode, which happened to have a scene that took place in a bathroom stall. (ironic??!!) On the wall behind the person was a sticker that read "Vote for change 08". Don't know about you, but I am sick of these people injecting their political crap. Please leave it to the voters of America. Why are people tuning out?? Pretty easy to figure out.
The final two episodes of House this season were some of the finest television in years including The Sopranos. Absolutely amazingly brilliant stuff.
I saw that bumper sticker on the wall, and ignored it, because the content, directing, and acting were too superb for me to care about it.
JMHO, but sometimes entertainment should just be about entertainment. If one bumper sticker in the background can completely destroy one's viewing pleasure, how do we ever have any fun? ns
but it's not. I wasn't saying anything specific about the whole show in general. Just saying why can't they leave that bumper sticker stuff out. The networks continue to do this over and over and I am just sick of it. I am not sure if I will continue to watch . That is the only way I know to let them know how I feel. Probably doesn't even matter......their agenda will continue with or without me.
CHARLIE How can anybody sit through a hr. of 20mins., of commercials and it is even worse on the cable stations yeah you have more stations but also more advertisement per mins.. Case in point is, the reruns shown on most stations that are disected to hell to add all those ads when the come on for cable was tou pay for less advertisement but actually they lied.
I chose poor content, but believe the writers strike had a stab in there also. I think it is a number of things including availbility of cable/satellite but poor content is forefront. Disclainmer I have been on cable for 10+ years. My wife loves the medium shows along with the dance and song contests.
I'm not sure what used to be on tv back in 40's and 50's but I've become a huge fan of movies from that era. They replay them on TCM and AMC for the most part and you really get that pro-American feeling. Although, I saw last night Bill Maher was going to host on TCM (I won't watch that night) but the great movie makers of that time - John Ford, Frank Capra, etc. knew how to capture the heart of America and love of country. Today, I believe it's the exact opposite. Hollywood tries to show us as the bad guy and undermines the American dream. Oliver Stone didn't like John Ford being "used" by the Pentagon to help sell the war to the public. I say poppycock. The enemy will brainwash their public into submission. If the Pentagon wants to drum up support with pro-war films to rally the troops, then so be it. Hollywood thinks it's okay to dig and dig and dig and dig until it finds some twisted, sick anti-American story that it can distort and show as fact to the public. There are enough people that will believe it to be true no matter what but I say they're taking a beating because nobody wants to see it.
I've been a Gray's Anatomy fan, but they are about to lose me. In the past two episodes they've had 2 guys kissing, 2 women kissing, and those two women joking with a guy about a menage 'a trois. Now it looks like the season finale is going to set the two women up in a "relationship."
Poor content and liberal bias. In many cases they are the same thing.
I have this tendency to get interested in programs late, like when they're re-run on cable. Recently I started watching the early morning re-runs of Crossing Jordan, but gave up on it when: One day we had a building full of sick illegal aliens who wouldn't call for help because they'd be sent back to Mexico, the next day there was the lesbian who was killed and had her unborn baby cut out of her by [of course] a Christian, and on the third day there was the regular cast member, a naturalized American of Indian background, who was snatched by Homeland Security, threatened with having his citizenship revoked, held without any legal representation, and water-boarded because they thought he was involved a some "chatter" they heard about a possible attack. That they would present the American government acting this way made me sick. I'm glad this show is out of production, but it's still out there presenting it's garbage as a picture of life in America.
Yuck - Back to HGTV and baseball for me.
Chai
“A liberal is a man who will give away everything he doesn’t own.” —Frank Dane
Television has devolved into sex, sex, and more sex. Very few writers inject any original thought into their shows. I remember when Three's Company was considered risque. We've come a long way (downhill) since then. Why would I want that sewage spilling out into my home?
The only program I look forward to is the Canadian series"Corner Gas". No sex, no violence, no car chases, just clever writing. And no annoying laugh track.
The commercials especially have way too much sex. I find myself having to tell my kids to turn their heads away or racing to change the channel during the commercial. It's bad enough during the show but aren't we supposed to get a break during the commercial? I know, stupid question.
It's definitely poor content. While cable networks provide specialty programming that drives niche traffic, broadcast wastes too much effort trying to develop advertiser-friendly programs that appeal to popular demographic groups. As a result, you get a lot of clone programming (i.e. if the formula works for x network, it must work for y), a complete lack of originality and poor writing. These days, comedy shows are written in such a way that the scripts are designed around the jokes...rather than the jokes flowing from a well-written script. The cart leads the horse and you end up with Family Guy.
"Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it." -Ronald Reagan
I stopped watching due to the unceasing spin for the Democrats and their causes. I found it so infuriating that I was yelling at the television. So, it was time to turn it off.
I have found network television uninteresting and unappealing since my high school days. Soon after my sophomore year of high school I gave up on television almost entirely. Other than FOX News (and even they are turning more and more into the National Enquirer Channel), the business channels on occasion, ESPN, FOX Sports, and sporting events shown on the networks, I have no use for television.
Even my viewing of local news is limited these days.
Television has been churning out crap for years. That its ratings are so bad this year is no surprise to me at all.
And, now that my deployment is over, I have sworn off movies for the rest of 2008 (all anyone wanted to do on their downtime was watch movies, much to my extreme irritation). Give me my music and my books any day of the week. While those on my flight home were content to watch bad movie after bad movie after bad movie, I was content to jam to the iPOD and read my literature.
Something I've observed and maybe you'll concur...It seems the blogs such as NB and others formulate, sometimes spin, a story, get comments and then feed it to the next level; radio commentary like Rush and the rest which then feeds into cable news; Fox, MSNBC, CNN, and others then feed the newspapers & print which feeds the MSM Networks which somehow make it into milk toast. I enjoy the fact I know more about a topic a week ahead of time sometimes a month. Case in point, the Wash Post in an editorial two days ago commented on the movie "Expelled" and its premise of not allowing creationism into classrooms. We've been discussing this issue for a couple of months now. What would they do without us?
Disagree. Nothing on NB is a "spin" of a story. Nor do I think Rush as anything more or anything less than a radio commentator. He's not in business to do anything more than serve his 20 million customers (his audience).
What I WILL agree with is that there is many a time when I see/hear a story on television on in other media where I say "duh, that's been going on for MONTHS now". Especially in the case of international news, of which I am a heavy consumer (imagine my delight at seeing the Gulf Times a week or so ago at a coffee house on the way home! That sure as all hell beat the Stars & Stripes newspaper, sad to say...)
I don't know what to make of the last comment in light of your pleading that "the troops should given the hope of seeing the USA again. Bring 'em home." comment, made by you back in February. (and your other anti-war, anti-military comments in the past) As I stated then, I knew I'd see the United States soon enough. I'd go back. Maybe not right this second...but I'd go back.
There have been comments on Rush reading the postings of NBers and to help generate an extra comment or two. I used generalizations to show the relationships of the news cycle in today's world. I think I've made a valid point nothing more to it than that...I agreed with your comment. Relax, I'm not being snarky or trying to make a stand. There is nothing wrong in my pleading for a safe return of all the troops. It's what we all hope for in the long run. I'm not anti-military, I'm against the Iraq war not the entire war. Too many of my family members and friends are in harm's way. I support them and everyone involved. I believe it would be unpatriotic not to speak up and point out the glaring mistakes of the Administration and hold it to be accountable for their mistakes. I apologize to you and anyone else who believe I'm against them and the tough road ahead. We are all in this together and everyone should be heard. Agreed?
Again, with all the respect you deserve- welcome home.
I'm not anti-military, I'm against the Iraq war not the entire war. Well, forgive me, Syrius, if I feel the overwhelming need to asphyxiate myself with oxygen right about now. Nothing is all. ALL is contradiction. (h/t to Meshuggah)
Clearly then if you are against the Iraq war then you did not support my mission nor do you hold those who have been or are then in anything other than total contempt. So why beat around the bush and say Again, with all the respect you deserve- welcome home when you quite clearly look at the time I spent over there with extreme contempt? Also, your history of posts contradict your newfound love of the military as well.
I'm not out to be an ingrate or a prick or anything like that - I just like not getting fed a line of BS by people.
I believe it would be unpatriotic not to speak up and point out the glaring mistakes of the Administration and hold it to be accountable for their mistakes. And that is what history books are for. I can go back about 6000 years or so, and not find one single war or operation as such that went according to plan. For instance, if you think the occupation of Germany was all hunky-dory and a total bowl of cherries, and the paragon of all such operations, I suggest you read After the Reich. That will quickly disabuse you of such notions.
I suppose I could Monday morning quarterback all day and all night about what Bush could have done differently, but in reality, I can do that all day and all night with just about anybody. Thus, I don't even bother to do it.
There have been comments on Rush reading the postings of NBers and to help generate an extra comment or two. And Rush is far from alone. I first heard about this website from Bill O'Reilly, and I have been highly critical of him on here. When Michelle Malkin was in the employ of Fox News, she would make references to NB on the air. To make him a link in the news cycle between here and cable news is quite simplistic.
Nicely stated, and welcome back. It's good to have you on the mainland again, and in one piece.
I've got a strange question for you coming from a conservative, but given your interaction with Sy, I've been wondering something: is it possible to be opposed to the war and still be a supporter of the military?
Let's say from day one, as Congress was debating this issue in October 2002, you felt this was a mistake. After all, even back then 25 percent of the nation felt we shouldn't go into Iraq. Assuming some portion of that 25 percent wasn't just anti-war doves, but folks that didn't think the invasion made sense -- maybe even from an isolationist standpoint like Pat Buchanan.
Can such a person still be perceived as pro-military, but just not this war? Can a person who normally supports the military be allowed to disagree with a Pentagon or Defense Department decision?
Please take this in the spirit it's intended from someone that supported the invasion in 2003, and still feels it was the right decision. I'm just wondering based upon your discussion with Syrius. ns
It's great to be back on NB a bit more often than I have been these past months. Let's just say that I told my family I have even less patience for the U.S. media than usual as a result of my experience in Iraq. Is it all a bowl of cherries? No, as I can attest. But is it, at the same time, the nightmare the media and the war's detractors depict? No.
I can safely say that while I was there I have met some great people - both locals AND my fellow soldiers, sailors, Airmen and Marines - that I firmly believe are making a difference out there. Given time, we CAN turn things around, and the glorious thing is that by getting rid of Saddam, we have, at the very least, given the Iraqi people some options of how to live their own lives and choose how they want to be governed.
As for your question: I guess I am a bit sensitive as I just came back from there and have a very hard time having seen everything I have seen, worked on different things with some great people, and well and truly believe that I have done the right thing - all the while, some smartass comes along and says "I support you but not what you do". To me, that doesn't fly. Once upon a time I was a civlian, and perhaps in my civilian days you would have gotten a different answer from me. But as of now, I cannot divorce the support of the troops from the support of the operation.
I quit watching NBC altogether, because of it's content. I will admit, I liked Tina Fey's show, because it was funny. Even Alec Baldwin is funny in this thing. But since one is subjected to commercials for all of NBC's other crappy shows, I gave up!
But the thing that has aggravated me this year, is it seems like every show is being written by one guy! At least on the shows I like.
NCIS, killed off the director last night. Probably due to Lauren Holly wanting off of the show, or more money. Plus it looks like the entire cast will change for next season. Or at least the bulk of it. That sucks.
House killed off one of it's more interesting characters this season, when they had Amber die in a two-parter. Again, a good character, with a lot of mileage left to the story.
MI-5 on BBC has lost a bunch of mainstay characters, by killing them off, or through other plot twists.
There are more, but you get the idea. If you like a show,and get vested in a character, you hate to see them leave, but when almost every show you enjoy is doing it, it gets old really quick.
I can handle some liberal bias, if the show is well done, as you kinda figure all of Hollywood is liberal, and if you don't want to see liberals, you shouldn't own a TV. But networks like NBC are so ovetly liberal, they are unwatchable. And that is probably why they are hurting. It's all about the content of the shows.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Only "The Office" and to a
May 21, 2008 - 10:21 ET by taterOnly "The Office" and to a lesser extent "Chuck" were the shows I even care to watch. Besides the outdoors and the internet have much more interesting things than the television anymore.
"They need to have a course in college called common sense and everyone should take it. Problem is there isn't too many people that could pass or teach it." -my grandfather
Double your pleasure
May 21, 2008 - 10:29 ET by Dr_LibertyIf you go to bassfishingnetwork.com, you can do two things that you like to do at the same time, especially if you take your laptop outside!
<insert witty signature here>
In terms of original
May 22, 2008 - 09:55 ET by Hero SquadIn terms of original content, "Lost" and "The Office" were the only two shows I made time for this past season. And "The Office" I pretty much just watch online now.
It seems that TV is either really really good, or really really bad. "Lost" is one of the all-time greats; there isn't even a close number 2 IMHO. "The Office" is all well and good, but it still feels like "Arrested Development" stripped of most of the clever jokes and ingenious situations.
I'm OK with that; hey, there are things I should be doing than watching TV. Giving up watching Idol alone probably gave me about two days worth of extra time this year. Perfect for re-watching my Arrested Development DVDs. Or, you know, reading a book, I guess.
*****
"People only insist that a debate stop when they are afraid of what might be learned if it continues." - George Will
You speak in strange terms,
May 22, 2008 - 09:57 ET by Roger the ShrubberYou speak in strange terms, Hero Squad. What does this word "reading" mean?
What about liberal
May 21, 2008 - 10:26 ET by ChandlerWhat about liberal bias?
Thats why I don't watch them.
Chandler
May 21, 2008 - 10:27 ET by Noel SheppardChandler,
Great idea! Why don't I think of that? D'oh! ns
Liberal bias is part of the
May 21, 2008 - 11:28 ET by mattmLiberal bias is part of the poor content.
matt
May 21, 2008 - 12:37 ET by Noel Sheppardmatt,
Yes, but deserves to be a separate category. ns
liberal bias? it's the
May 21, 2008 - 12:48 ET by TruthMongerliberal bias?
it's the RADICAL LIBERAL FASCISM RELENTLESSLY RAMMED DOWN YOUR THROAT imho...
Tonight, on ER - INNOCENT IMPOVERSHED MOTHER OF REALLY NICE KIDS DIES PAINFUL HIDEOUS DEATH DUE TO REPUBLICANS BANNING HEALTH INSURANCE FOR NON-RICH PEOPLE...
Tonight on Law and Order - POLYGAMIST PED REPUBLICAN CHRISTIAN CULT HAULED INTO JAIL
Tonight on The Academy Awards BUSH CRIME FAMILY DOCUMENTARY WINS EVERY SINGLE AWARD POSSIBLE...
Tonight on Boston Legal FANTASTICLY NICE GAY FAMILY BROKEN UP BY REPUBLICAN CHRISTIAN GOVERNER'S "ANTI GAY-FAMILY" JESUS-HATES-FAGS LEGISLATION...
And then the ads - WOMAN HAS ORGASM WASHING HAIR IN THE SHOWER...
Hmmm - let's flip to the Disney Channel, OK kids?
Tonight on the Mickey Mouse Club ROCKIN GAY PED ORGY BREAKS OUT DURING GAY DAYS AT ORLANDO DISNEYWORLD...
Hmmm - let's toss the TV out...
Tonight on the BDS Evening News, yes Dammit, still with Katie Kouric - INTOLERANT CHRISTIAN FUNDIES CENSOR TV SHOWS BY TOSSING THEIR TV'S OUT...
Tonight, on Al-Arab
May 21, 2008 - 12:57 ET by Roger the ShrubberTonight, on Al-Arab Television, it's the premiere of another episode of "Jihadist Bloopers!", followed by a brand new "The Religion of Peace!"
It's Watch or Die Night on Al-Arab TV!
Today on the bigotboy
May 21, 2008 - 13:11 ET by TruthMongerToday on the bigotboy report...
Fake "Muslims"
http://www.weaselzippers.net/blog/2008/05/pakistan-islamists-publicly-execute-elder-who-associated-with-peace-groups.html
Today on TM's Bigot Busters...
Real Muslims
http://www.muslimgirlworld.com/mgmag/
damn rog, nothing about public executions there:)...
Here is a charming tale
May 21, 2008 - 20:19 ET by Roger the ShrubberHere is a charming tale that should warm the hearts of Christians everywhere! Whoops! Here's another!
As usual, you are outgunned, Douchie.
Roger check out this gem LMAO
May 21, 2008 - 13:24 ET by upcountrywaterMoslem army 38 sec.
Another quality video from Al Arab TV....
Entertainment available via computer, that's my vote.
Liberals62%
IranianUranium
here's a few
May 21, 2008 - 13:31 ET by TruthMongerhere's a few more "gems:)"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ddwmAe6L-4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4F9solJoTU&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4F9solJoTU&feature=related
ah, the fruits of your hatred labor
hey, got anything on the sheeny kike joos?
...maybe I should write to this Muslim Girl mag and have em' check out your fine youtube links:)...
http://www.muslimgirlworld.com/mgmag/
3 FFF for tMONGER
May 21, 2008 - 13:58 ET by upcountrywaterTHOSE ARE YOUR LINKS ! TWISTER MONGER
3 FFF FOR YOU!
Keep surfin the moslum girls, maybe you will pick up a cookie.
Liberals62%
IranianUranium
no way, man - got em all
May 21, 2008 - 14:01 ET by TruthMongerno way, man - got em all from you first link
you keep the all cred - i ain't no thief...
Truthie, I was about to be true to form...
May 21, 2008 - 13:44 ET by SyriusTruthie,
...and write something snarky and decided not to. I commend you. Your comment takes the prize for being over the top hysterically funny. True comedy, that was an exceptional piece of humor. Superb! Kudos!
Syrius
wow - thanks dudetakin a
May 21, 2008 - 16:03 ET by TruthMongerwow - thanks dude
takin a bow
Deep 6 24
May 21, 2008 - 10:26 ET by Dr_LibertyI don't watch much network TV, but I did get hooked on "24" several seasons ago. I looked forward to each one with anticipation. The previous year's episode was a bit farfetched, but I still hoped for redemption. Then they announced that Jeanine Garafalopogous would be starring in it. That lowered my anticipation. And then the writers' strike. I have absolutely no desire to see "24" now -- sorry, Jack -- but I'll take re-runs of "Walker, Texas Ranger" instead.
<insert witty signature here>
Libs
May 21, 2008 - 10:34 ET by iveseenitallThe libs will never understand how sick at least half the country is of them. Immature, biased, humorless, ignorant, and more...Bye, bye.
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
What about...
May 21, 2008 - 10:32 ET by Dr_LibertySince you added "liberal bias" to the survey, why not add more "old school conservative" hot babes wearing "powered by capitalism" tee shirts.
Too much "meet your meat" (vegetarian ads) on the networks.
<insert witty signature here>
Dont watch much TV, unless
May 21, 2008 - 10:33 ET by bassndudeDont watch much TV, unless it is the Outdoor channel, ESPN2, on Saturday morning from 8 to 9, (if I am not on the lake), VS on Saturdays and Sundays. A little SciFi on Friday nights and the Local 10 pm news. Most of my time is spent either in my boat, on a lake. Getting ready for a tournament or cleaning it after a tournament, or a play day.
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
Radio isn't much different than TV
May 21, 2008 - 10:38 ET by Iowa BoyExcept the listener has to make up their own pictures. I think bias falls under content. I'll forgive all the conservative bashing on "Boston Legal" just because I think the show is pretty darn funny. But when even History starts spewing their global warming B-S on "Modern Marvels", I stopped watching that show. "24" is still at the top of my list along with "Battlestar Galactica". Oustide of that, I spend most of my time watching FNC or listening to my Chicago Cubs on the radio.
Audiences across all media is fracturing from broadcast TV and radio to the internet, mp3 players, satellite radios, etc. However, if the producers create good content, an audience will find it. If not, they'll ignore it...in large numbers.
"I'd rather be governed by the first 2,000 people in the Boston
telephone directory than the 2,000 faculty at Hardvard Unversity." -
William F. Buckley Jr.
BSG
May 21, 2008 - 11:04 ET by dronetekI stopped watching BSG, when they cast Tigh as an insurgent leader who looked EXACTLY like Zarqawi. That whole season was like a big justification for AQ in Iraq.
Interesting how different people interpret things
May 21, 2008 - 12:13 ET by Iowa BoyI saw Colonel Tigh, not as AQI but, remniscant of the French Underground or even the Wolverines of "Red Dawn".
Not critcising your take on it. Just expressing mine.
"I'd rather be governed by the first 2,000 people in the Boston
telephone directory than the 2,000 faculty at Hardvard Unversity." -
William F. Buckley Jr.
Writer's strike
May 21, 2008 - 10:38 ET by HelenSAll I know is that before the writer's strike I had several shows I'd watch regularly. After the strike, I had lost interest in 75% of them. Mostly because after the hiatus I realized that they were way too annoying and preachy. For the most part.
Some just didn't come back - "Chuck", "Journeyman", "Life"... Good shows that didn't survive the strike. Those I'll miss.
Some may have just coincidently outlived their own life-span: CSI (the original Las Vegas one - way too into the personal lives of the characters and not nearly enough forensics), NCIS (a seriously believability-challenged show).
WAY too many reality shows! "Step right up! Embarrass yourself, spill your guts, wallow in self-pity, all on public TV! You could win a million dollars. Or just make a fool of yourself!!"
"Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war" - Shakespeare
I think Chuck and Life will
May 21, 2008 - 10:42 ET by taterI think Chuck and Life will be back next season.
"They need to have a course in college called common sense and everyone should take it. Problem is there isn't too many people that could pass or teach it." -my grandfather
Yes!
May 21, 2008 - 10:45 ET by Dr_LibertyThe world needs more Chuck Norris now!
<insert witty signature here>
House
May 21, 2008 - 10:50 ET by MOONSTRUCKLast night I watched the season ending House episode, which happened to have a scene that took place in a bathroom stall. (ironic??!!) On the wall behind the person was a sticker that read "Vote for change 08". Don't know about you, but I am sick of these people injecting their political crap. Please leave it to the voters of America. Why are people tuning out?? Pretty easy to figure out.
MS
May 21, 2008 - 12:27 ET by Noel SheppardMS,
The final two episodes of House this season were some of the finest television in years including The Sopranos. Absolutely amazingly brilliant stuff.
I saw that bumper sticker on the wall, and ignored it, because the content, directing, and acting were too superb for me to care about it.
JMHO, but sometimes entertainment should just be about entertainment. If one bumper sticker in the background can completely destroy one's viewing pleasure, how do we ever have any fun? ns
I wish it were just ONE "bumper sticker"....
May 21, 2008 - 15:31 ET by MOONSTRUCKbut it's not. I wasn't saying anything specific about the whole show in general. Just saying why can't they leave that bumper sticker stuff out. The networks continue to do this over and over and I am just sick of it. I am not sure if I will continue to watch . That is the only way I know to let them know how I feel. Probably doesn't even matter......their agenda will continue with or without me.
ms
COMMERCIAL, S ARE US.
May 21, 2008 - 12:34 ET by STANISZCHARLIE How can anybody sit through a hr. of 20mins., of commercials and it is even worse on the cable stations yeah you have more stations but also more advertisement per mins.. Case in point is, the reruns shown on most stations that are disected to hell to add all those ads when the come on for cable was tou pay for less advertisement but actually they lied.
I chose poor content, but
May 21, 2008 - 11:03 ET by Dan The Man 2I chose poor content, but believe the writers strike had a stab in there also. I think it is a number of things including availbility of cable/satellite but poor content is forefront. Disclainmer I have been on cable for 10+ years. My wife loves the medium shows along with the dance and song contests.
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark.
old fashioned viewer
May 21, 2008 - 11:25 ET by ort777I'm not sure what used to be on tv back in 40's and 50's but I've become a huge fan of movies from that era. They replay them on TCM and AMC for the most part and you really get that pro-American feeling. Although, I saw last night Bill Maher was going to host on TCM (I won't watch that night) but the great movie makers of that time - John Ford, Frank Capra, etc. knew how to capture the heart of America and love of country. Today, I believe it's the exact opposite. Hollywood tries to show us as the bad guy and undermines the American dream. Oliver Stone didn't like John Ford being "used" by the Pentagon to help sell the war to the public. I say poppycock. The enemy will brainwash their public into submission. If the Pentagon wants to drum up support with pro-war films to rally the troops, then so be it. Hollywood thinks it's okay to dig and dig and dig and dig until it finds some twisted, sick anti-American story that it can distort and show as fact to the public. There are enough people that will believe it to be true no matter what but I say they're taking a beating because nobody wants to see it.
Unquestionably ALL OF THE ABOVE
May 21, 2008 - 11:33 ET by CTCarbon Credits Smoke'em if you got'em!
And pushing the liberal
May 21, 2008 - 11:37 ET by motherbeltAnd pushing the liberal agenda.
I've been a Gray's Anatomy fan, but they are about to lose me. In the past two episodes they've had 2 guys kissing, 2 women kissing, and those two women joking with a guy about a menage 'a trois. Now it looks like the season finale is going to set the two women up in a "relationship."
If they do, I won't be back next season.
Memo to Networks...
May 21, 2008 - 11:41 ET by Melodic_Metal'REALITY' TV SUCKS
"To beat Violence, You must ignore the focus groups. You must send in the Mossad, turn off the BBC, CNN, and don't look back."
I was torn between
May 21, 2008 - 12:08 ET by ChaitealoverPoor content and liberal bias. In many cases they are the same thing.
I have this tendency to get interested in programs late, like when they're re-run on cable. Recently I started watching the early morning re-runs of Crossing Jordan, but gave up on it when: One day we had a building full of sick illegal aliens who wouldn't call for help because they'd be sent back to Mexico, the next day there was the lesbian who was killed and had her unborn baby cut out of her by [of course] a Christian, and on the third day there was the regular cast member, a naturalized American of Indian background, who was snatched by Homeland Security, threatened with having his citizenship revoked, held without any legal representation, and water-boarded because they thought he was involved a some "chatter" they heard about a possible attack. That they would present the American government acting this way made me sick. I'm glad this show is out of production, but it's still out there presenting it's garbage as a picture of life in America.
Yuck - Back to HGTV and baseball for me.
Chai
“A liberal is a man who will give away everything he doesn’t own.” —Frank Dane
All sex, all the time
May 21, 2008 - 12:10 ET by Joe ShlabotnikTelevision has devolved into sex, sex, and more sex. Very few writers inject any original thought into their shows. I remember when Three's Company was considered risque. We've come a long way (downhill) since then. Why would I want that sewage spilling out into my home?
The vast wasteland
May 21, 2008 - 12:25 ET by RackieThe only program I look forward to is the Canadian series"Corner Gas". No sex, no violence, no car chases, just clever writing. And no annoying laugh track.
commercials, too
May 21, 2008 - 19:28 ET by ort777The commercials especially have way too much sex. I find myself having to tell my kids to turn their heads away or racing to change the channel during the commercial. It's bad enough during the show but aren't we supposed to get a break during the commercial? I know, stupid question.
It's definitely poor
May 21, 2008 - 12:24 ET by fitzfongIt's definitely poor content. While cable networks provide specialty programming that drives niche traffic, broadcast wastes too much effort trying to develop advertiser-friendly programs that appeal to popular demographic groups. As a result, you get a lot of clone programming (i.e. if the formula works for x network, it must work for y), a complete lack of originality and poor writing. These days, comedy shows are written in such a way that the scripts are designed around the jokes...rather than the jokes flowing from a well-written script. The cart leads the horse and you end up with Family Guy.
"Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it." -Ronald Reagan
My bad...I voted for poor
May 21, 2008 - 12:57 ET by marpelMy bad...I voted for poor content. I didn't see liberal bias until it was too late. But, they're probably one and the same.
This years TV was boring,
May 21, 2008 - 15:11 ET by mjgThis years TV was boring, annoying, too much liberal themed shows, and bordered on he ridiculous. Giving up on tv won't break me at all.
»→ boring TV
May 21, 2008 - 15:24 ET by Cool ArrowI thought so too, with the exception of "House" and "Bones"
The finales of both were great.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
Infuriating
May 21, 2008 - 15:39 ET by MCPO AirdaleI stopped watching due to the unceasing spin for the Democrats and their causes. I found it so infuriating that I was yelling at the television. So, it was time to turn it off.
»→ Airdale
May 21, 2008 - 15:42 ET by Cool ArrowYou must be referring above all to Boston Legal.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
Poor content
May 21, 2008 - 15:56 ET by UnsaneI have found network television uninteresting and unappealing since my high school days. Soon after my sophomore year of high school I gave up on television almost entirely. Other than FOX News (and even they are turning more and more into the National Enquirer Channel), the business channels on occasion, ESPN, FOX Sports, and sporting events shown on the networks, I have no use for television.
Even my viewing of local news is limited these days.
Television has been churning out crap for years. That its ratings are so bad this year is no surprise to me at all.
And, now that my deployment is over, I have sworn off movies for the rest of 2008 (all anyone wanted to do on their downtime was watch movies, much to my extreme irritation). Give me my music and my books any day of the week. While those on my flight home were content to watch bad movie after bad movie after bad movie, I was content to jam to the iPOD and read my literature.
Res tantum valet quantum vendi potest.
Agreed...& welcome back!
May 21, 2008 - 16:24 ET by SyriusUnsane,
Something I've observed and maybe you'll concur...It seems the blogs such as NB and others formulate, sometimes spin, a story, get comments and then feed it to the next level; radio commentary like Rush and the rest which then feeds into cable news; Fox, MSNBC, CNN, and others then feed the newspapers & print which feeds the MSM Networks which somehow make it into milk toast. I enjoy the fact I know more about a topic a week ahead of time sometimes a month. Case in point, the Wash Post in an editorial two days ago commented on the movie "Expelled" and its premise of not allowing creationism into classrooms. We've been discussing this issue for a couple of months now. What would they do without us?
Thanks for your service and welcome back.
Syrius
Addendum
May 21, 2008 - 16:33 ET by UnsaneSyrius,
Disagree. Nothing on NB is a "spin" of a story. Nor do I think Rush as anything more or anything less than a radio commentator. He's not in business to do anything more than serve his 20 million customers (his audience).
What I WILL agree with is that there is many a time when I see/hear a story on television on in other media where I say "duh, that's been going on for MONTHS now". Especially in the case of international news, of which I am a heavy consumer (imagine my delight at seeing the Gulf Times a week or so ago at a coffee house on the way home! That sure as all hell beat the Stars & Stripes newspaper, sad to say...)
I don't know what to make of the last comment in light of your pleading that "the troops should given the hope of seeing the USA again. Bring 'em home." comment, made by you back in February. (and your other anti-war, anti-military comments in the past) As I stated then, I knew I'd see the United States soon enough. I'd go back. Maybe not right this second...but I'd go back.
Res tantum valet quantum vendi potest.
A few times here at NB...
May 21, 2008 - 17:01 ET by SyriusUnsane,
There have been comments on Rush reading the postings of NBers and to help generate an extra comment or two. I used generalizations to show the relationships of the news cycle in today's world. I think I've made a valid point nothing more to it than that...I agreed with your comment. Relax, I'm not being snarky or trying to make a stand. There is nothing wrong in my pleading for a safe return of all the troops. It's what we all hope for in the long run. I'm not anti-military, I'm against the Iraq war not the entire war. Too many of my family members and friends are in harm's way. I support them and everyone involved. I believe it would be unpatriotic not to speak up and point out the glaring mistakes of the Administration and hold it to be accountable for their mistakes. I apologize to you and anyone else who believe I'm against them and the tough road ahead. We are all in this together and everyone should be heard. Agreed?
Again, with all the respect you deserve- welcome home.
Syrius
More
May 21, 2008 - 19:17 ET by UnsaneI'm not anti-military, I'm against the Iraq war not the entire war. Well, forgive me, Syrius, if I feel the overwhelming need to asphyxiate myself with oxygen right about now. Nothing is all. ALL is contradiction. (h/t to Meshuggah)
Clearly then if you are against the Iraq war then you did not support my mission nor do you hold those who have been or are then in anything other than total contempt. So why beat around the bush and say Again, with all the respect you deserve- welcome home when you quite clearly look at the time I spent over there with extreme contempt? Also, your history of posts contradict your newfound love of the military as well.
I'm not out to be an ingrate or a prick or anything like that - I just like not getting fed a line of BS by people.
I believe it would be unpatriotic not to speak up and point out the glaring mistakes of the Administration and hold it to be accountable for their mistakes. And that is what history books are for. I can go back about 6000 years or so, and not find one single war or operation as such that went according to plan. For instance, if you think the occupation of Germany was all hunky-dory and a total bowl of cherries, and the paragon of all such operations, I suggest you read After the Reich. That will quickly disabuse you of such notions.
I suppose I could Monday morning quarterback all day and all night about what Bush could have done differently, but in reality, I can do that all day and all night with just about anybody. Thus, I don't even bother to do it.
There have been comments on Rush reading the postings of NBers and to help generate an extra comment or two. And Rush is far from alone. I first heard about this website from Bill O'Reilly, and I have been highly critical of him on here. When Michelle Malkin was in the employ of Fox News, she would make references to NB on the air. To make him a link in the news cycle between here and cable news is quite simplistic.
Res tantum valet quantum vendi potest.
Unsane
May 21, 2008 - 20:14 ET by Noel SheppardSteven,
Nicely stated, and welcome back. It's good to have you on the mainland again, and in one piece.
I've got a strange question for you coming from a conservative, but given your interaction with Sy, I've been wondering something: is it possible to be opposed to the war and still be a supporter of the military?
Let's say from day one, as Congress was debating this issue in October 2002, you felt this was a mistake. After all, even back then 25 percent of the nation felt we shouldn't go into Iraq. Assuming some portion of that 25 percent wasn't just anti-war doves, but folks that didn't think the invasion made sense -- maybe even from an isolationist standpoint like Pat Buchanan.
Can such a person still be perceived as pro-military, but just not this war? Can a person who normally supports the military be allowed to disagree with a Pentagon or Defense Department decision?
Please take this in the spirit it's intended from someone that supported the invasion in 2003, and still feels it was the right decision. I'm just wondering based upon your discussion with Syrius. ns
For Noel (I hope this will be sufficient)
May 21, 2008 - 20:39 ET by UnsaneNoel,
It's great to be back on NB a bit more often than I have been these past months. Let's just say that I told my family I have even less patience for the U.S. media than usual as a result of my experience in Iraq. Is it all a bowl of cherries? No, as I can attest. But is it, at the same time, the nightmare the media and the war's detractors depict? No.
I can safely say that while I was there I have met some great people - both locals AND my fellow soldiers, sailors, Airmen and Marines - that I firmly believe are making a difference out there. Given time, we CAN turn things around, and the glorious thing is that by getting rid of Saddam, we have, at the very least, given the Iraqi people some options of how to live their own lives and choose how they want to be governed.
As for your question: I guess I am a bit sensitive as I just came back from there and have a very hard time having seen everything I have seen, worked on different things with some great people, and well and truly believe that I have done the right thing - all the while, some smartass comes along and says "I support you but not what you do". To me, that doesn't fly. Once upon a time I was a civlian, and perhaps in my civilian days you would have gotten a different answer from me. But as of now, I cannot divorce the support of the troops from the support of the operation.
Res tantum valet quantum vendi potest.
Welcome back, Unsane.
May 21, 2008 - 20:47 ET by R D HelmGlad to see you made it back with all the parts you left with.
And, once again, thank you most sincerely for serving our country.
D.
We are being smothered by government in this country. - Neal Boortz
The writers strike most
May 21, 2008 - 16:36 ET by ckc1227The writers strike most likely. Half the season was filled with repeats, so people tuned in elsewhere.
I quit watching NBC
May 21, 2008 - 17:36 ET by Gary P JacksonI quit watching NBC altogether, because of it's content. I will admit, I liked Tina Fey's show, because it was funny. Even Alec Baldwin is funny in this thing. But since one is subjected to commercials for all of NBC's other crappy shows, I gave up!
But the thing that has aggravated me this year, is it seems like every show is being written by one guy! At least on the shows I like.
NCIS, killed off the director last night. Probably due to Lauren Holly wanting off of the show, or more money. Plus it looks like the entire cast will change for next season. Or at least the bulk of it. That sucks.
House killed off one of it's more interesting characters this season, when they had Amber die in a two-parter. Again, a good character, with a lot of mileage left to the story.
MI-5 on BBC has lost a bunch of mainstay characters, by killing them off, or through other plot twists.
There are more, but you get the idea. If you like a show,and get vested in a character, you hate to see them leave, but when almost every show you enjoy is doing it, it gets old really quick.
I can handle some liberal bias, if the show is well done, as you kinda figure all of Hollywood is liberal, and if you don't want to see liberals, you shouldn't own a TV. But networks like NBC are so ovetly liberal, they are unwatchable. And that is probably why they are hurting. It's all about the content of the shows.