And even when they aren't running commercials, they have those constant, ever increasing in size banner ads splashing up on the bottom of the screen during the program. Arrrgh. The "Guide" channel on cable is almost worthless now that the screen is 90% ad and you can only see about two lines of schedule at a time.
What is wrong with the History Channel?
- Thread starter David LaPell
- Start date
Gatofeo
Member
The History Channel certainly isn't what it used to be.
Ice Truckers and Axe Men should have been a one-hour documentary. Making them a series was too much; it became a soap opera. Same with the series about the crab fishermen off Alaska: interesting, but not worth show after show.
And now we have monsters, UFOs and ghosts.
It could be worse, though. The Sci-Fi channel had wrestling on it! I think it still does.
Wrestling? Sci-fi? Huh? I don't get it.
And the History Channel has far too much World War II stuff. I'd like to see more shows on ancient China, the history of the Middle East, older European history, African history and perhaps a series on the history of everyday objects.
If it must rerun old shows, replay "Connections." That was a great series, wherein the host took a simple object and showed you all the history that brought it to fruition.
I recall him sitting with a Gin & Tonic drink, and using it to trace the history of quinine to battle malaria, the first ice-making machine, the manufacture of gin and, glass-making.
Made you realize how everything is connected.
Yep, the History Channel is far off-track. The Military and Pentagon channels have some good military documentaries at times.
Discovery channel occasionally has a good show.
I watch movies and documentaries; prime-time sitcoms and dramas make me thrup.
Ice Truckers and Axe Men should have been a one-hour documentary. Making them a series was too much; it became a soap opera. Same with the series about the crab fishermen off Alaska: interesting, but not worth show after show.
And now we have monsters, UFOs and ghosts.
It could be worse, though. The Sci-Fi channel had wrestling on it! I think it still does.
Wrestling? Sci-fi? Huh? I don't get it.
And the History Channel has far too much World War II stuff. I'd like to see more shows on ancient China, the history of the Middle East, older European history, African history and perhaps a series on the history of everyday objects.
If it must rerun old shows, replay "Connections." That was a great series, wherein the host took a simple object and showed you all the history that brought it to fruition.
I recall him sitting with a Gin & Tonic drink, and using it to trace the history of quinine to battle malaria, the first ice-making machine, the manufacture of gin and, glass-making.
Made you realize how everything is connected.
Yep, the History Channel is far off-track. The Military and Pentagon channels have some good military documentaries at times.
Discovery channel occasionally has a good show.
I watch movies and documentaries; prime-time sitcoms and dramas make me thrup.
Perceived demographic watching, and then what the marketing group is able to sell for advertising is my thought.
Noticed how everything with the monster and haunting events shows, never actually shows any firm conclusion.
Now that computer simulation is at the state it is, everything is going that way. Maybe computer simulation or recreation appeals to the demographic that sells the programming, and everybody in cubicles, computer labs, office enviroments,cities, television programming offices, prefers it that way?
Noticed how everything with the monster and haunting events shows, never actually shows any firm conclusion.
Now that computer simulation is at the state it is, everything is going that way. Maybe computer simulation or recreation appeals to the demographic that sells the programming, and everybody in cubicles, computer labs, office enviroments,cities, television programming offices, prefers it that way?
truckemup97
Member
I've got several of those on VHS. Someone recorded them, then sold the tape at a garage sale for $.25. I need to watch them again.
ChadW
US Veteran
I still enjoy the history channel. Every now and then they'll have some good shows that actually DO deal with history.
I'm a fan of modern marvels. At least there's usually some history in the first half of the show.
The CG aerial battle reenactments they used to (or still do) have were great.
I'm a fan of modern marvels. At least there's usually some history in the first half of the show.
The CG aerial battle reenactments they used to (or still do) have were great.
Yep, The History Channel is a far cry from what it once was. Several years ago they did a show on the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the conclusion was it was wrong and didn't need to be done, had a bunch of interviews with anti-nuke types, etc.. Completely one sided and, in my opinion, dead wrong. It has gone downhill fast since then.
44forever
Member
They seem to have fallen into the "reality TV" trap. They run it because it is cheap to make, giving higher profit margins. Have you noticed how much hype Fox News is giving "Idol". Like I care?
morsecode
Member
walkinghorse wrote:
This is the thing. It's a lot cheaper than having to pay actors and build sets. When they first hit the air it was all WWII all day and night, thanks to an endless supply of cheap or public domain type B&W newsreels. To shake off the Hitler Channel nickname they branched out and for a while there they seemed to have the budget to put on all those other shows we miss.
But somewhere along the way I bet they found out there's a finite audience for history and decided to turn over the prime time slots to the 'hipper' reality junk.
This is the thing. It's a lot cheaper than having to pay actors and build sets. When they first hit the air it was all WWII all day and night, thanks to an endless supply of cheap or public domain type B&W newsreels. To shake off the Hitler Channel nickname they branched out and for a while there they seemed to have the budget to put on all those other shows we miss.
But somewhere along the way I bet they found out there's a finite audience for history and decided to turn over the prime time slots to the 'hipper' reality junk.
buckeyeshooter
Member
sorry guys, I think the new programming has positively added to the channel. I watch it much more than in the past.
WHO CARES
Member
I wonder if it just like our schools where they have pretty much quit teaching history - don't want you to be too informed about how our America became the greatest nation ever. Then you will believe the crap our current politicians spout!
Ward
Ward
Spotteddog
Member
Buckeye,
That may be more a comment on how far south so called "other" TV has sunk, more than commentary on how much History Channel has improved!
That may be more a comment on how far south so called "other" TV has sunk, more than commentary on how much History Channel has improved!
Exactly. How many times have we seen the film footage of that German soldier carrying a StG 44? He's almost as famous as the Luftwaffe pilot flying the ME-109 with #3 on the nose (they've even shown that film backwards to show him flying the other way.)
beach elvis
Member
One of my fiance's biggest selling points was she had cable and a big screen TV.
Well, now I have much more fun torturing (and being tortured by) my guitars and handloading.
Fox news and that's pretty much "it" for me.
Oh no...wait..."American Idol". My wife2B lived for it. I watched it with her as an experiment.
The journal with the findings will be out soon.
The title will be, "How Long Can Sammy Keep His 629 Classic DX's Muzzle Out Of His Mouth?"
That was a toughie.
Well, now I have much more fun torturing (and being tortured by) my guitars and handloading.
Fox news and that's pretty much "it" for me.
Oh no...wait..."American Idol". My wife2B lived for it. I watched it with her as an experiment.
The journal with the findings will be out soon.
The title will be, "How Long Can Sammy Keep His 629 Classic DX's Muzzle Out Of His Mouth?"
That was a toughie.
DeathGrip
US Veteran
huh?
gunsmith11
Member
I normally watch the military channel, history channel does not offer much,,,,,by they way,,,what happened to VICTORY AT SEA shows
I absolutely hate the way all the cable channels are straying from their original goals in search of the mighty buck.
The History Channel shouldn't have any reality shows that aren't history-related. If it isn't a re-enactment of some kind of Historical event, then it's not the kind of reality that belongs on the History Channel.
The History Channel shouldn't have any reality shows that aren't history-related. If it isn't a re-enactment of some kind of Historical event, then it's not the kind of reality that belongs on the History Channel.
beemerrider
Member
So, David; MeThinks it could have something to do which those now making the programing decisions for the H Channel. Probably a younger group who grew up on electronic games, Star Wars, etc. and have little appreaciation for History; it's about Now and the Future Man!
GatorFarmer
Member
Try the History Channel International, it's available if you have all the channels.
Anyway, I love Monster Quest and UFO Hunters. Good shows. The reason that they are on all the time is that a lot of other people love them too. Thus they get good ratings. There's always been an overlap between the sort of folks that like historical programming and like Fortean subjects.
Monster Quest is on a marathon again today. I think it is the third one this week. Leads up to the new episode tonight about Killer Jellyfish.
The shows actually do talk about folklore, history and such.
You can buy the complete set as a DVD collection, try Best Buy, though I got it at Walmart. It's around here somewhere. They were selling the set on TV a few years ago late at night.
Anyway, I love Monster Quest and UFO Hunters. Good shows. The reason that they are on all the time is that a lot of other people love them too. Thus they get good ratings. There's always been an overlap between the sort of folks that like historical programming and like Fortean subjects.
Monster Quest is on a marathon again today. I think it is the third one this week. Leads up to the new episode tonight about Killer Jellyfish.
The shows actually do talk about folklore, history and such.
You can buy the complete set as a DVD collection, try Best Buy, though I got it at Walmart. It's around here somewhere. They were selling the set on TV a few years ago late at night.
riptrack44
Member
When they fell in love with Ax Men, endless reruns of sunken ships which nothing is really solved and their 'politically correct' propaganda shows regarding global warming.
yugolovr
Member
I watch the Military channel, Investigation Discovery, and some stuff on History International. Battle field B.C. I think is the name is the only show I really enjoy on the History channel.
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