Why does tv get a bad rap? (a rant)

[O- Fender]

Originally Posted by blargfromspace

TV does suck. It's a huge waste of time. I went without one for years and didn't miss it one bit. And why are they in pubs? It's hard to find a pub that doesn't have at least one enormous TV on the wall that people sit about staring blankly at. Last NYE I was at a pub that had the channel 9 NYE special on TV as visual entertainment. Seriously.

Don't misunderstand me - there are shows I really enjoy watching that are made for TV, but with the proliferation of TV shows on DVD, it's easy to rent them from the video shop or library and not have to endure the ads. The endless, relentless ads.

I hate the ads you are bombarded with online when I'm trying to read the news or watch a video on youtube. Does that mean you think the internet sucks?

Originally Posted by jjkrause84

In short, I don't watch TV, but that's just because I find it boring.

I guess that's where we disagree. I don't go see movies in theatres and I haven't seen a movie in quite some time because of "stars" like Julia Roberts, Jennifer Aniston and Wil Smith. Boring and one dimensional, always playing the same character in every film.

Like your feelings with tv, I find a very large percentage of films boring and formulaic, not demanding anything from you, again, I'll mention the Transformer "franchise" as an example.

(... and expensive, what's the deal with having to pay over $10 for a small popcorn and 2 small cokes? Oops another rant for another time).

I'm stuck wondering why watching something on prime time television is a waste of brain power as opposed to reading a crappy novel, watching an Adam Sandler movie or a youtube video someone made of their dog doing something cute?

"If you read a lot of books, you're considered 'well read' but if you watch a lot of television, you're not considered 'well viewed'. " - Lily Tomlin

[jjkrause84]

Originally Posted by J-man

If you ever feel like giving TV programmes another chance here are some great (and I mean GREAT) ones you should out: The Wire, Breaking Bad, Six Feet Under, Arrested Development, Deadwood and Generation Kill.

I tried Deadwood and Six Feet Under, didn't like'em. I think I probably would have liked AR had I seen it more than once or twice...it was definitely a bit out there, which I liked. I WOULD like to watch the Walking Dead, but don't feel like I have time. Maybe when they come out on DVD and I'm not so busy. I'm in 'summer' now (two months of no teaching!) so hopefully next month I can find some time.

[fuzzbender]

Only humans could invent something as amazing as tv, then slag it off

[jjkrause84]

Originally Posted by O- Fender

I'm stuck wondering why watching something on prime time television is a waste of brain power as opposed to reading a crappy novel, watching an Adam Sandler movie or a youtube video someone made of their dog doing something cute?

"If you read a lot of books, you're considered 'well read' but if you watch a lot of television, you're not considered 'well viewed'. " - Lily Tomlin

There's nothing to wonder at....crap entertainment is just that. I can remember when Harry Potter books were first big and people were saying, "Isn't it great! It's getting people [not just kids] to read!" I disagreed. Reading bad literature is actually WORSE than watching bad TV....it's harder on the eyes.

[Norton72]

I think TV sucks, but I watch a lot of it.

[fuzzbender]

i don't care what you say, ever seen Einstein dance?

[NashvilleDeluxe]

1. Canadian TV most assuredly does suck. Period.
2. I think there is a lot of CLEVER programming...the humour in shows like "Modern Family," "New Girl," or "Happy Endings," is well written and executed. It's just ephemeral...a quick chuckle, and it's on to the next joke.
3. Arrested Development was brilliant. Nothing's captured my attention in the same way.
4. TV is a tool...like a Swiss Army knife. You use it for your needs. Need mindless entertainment?...lots there. Need to get lost in a series? (Entourage, 6 Feet, etc, are very engaging). Travel channels, Shark Week, talent competitions...there's a lot there.

I work in the academic world, and I am glad to have some "distraction" from the heaviness sometimes. It's also a "common language," like sports or the news...something you can share with other people.

[hannigan]

TV is likely one of the biggest factors in creating entertainment based stupor in people.

If you do not watch for awhile it is actually painful to start watching again.

I have been trying to evict tall those characters and catch phrases from my brain and it is no easy task.

I feel nearly ruined by TV .

Giving it up was one of the best things that I ever did.

I am mostly alone in this and I bite my tongue when my friends are talking about TV..

I have one friend who says TV is important because it gives us a collective point of reference for instant shared experience .

I would argue that TV just creates a substitute for individual thought and a false reality .
It is a great tool for moving the herd this way and that way.

I do not think less of someone for enjoying TV.
In the same way that I do not think less of someone for enjoying a fast food hamburger even though I would not eat one. When it becomes a main dietary staple , It is a shame.

[Mjark]

Of course there is quality programming on TV but if you compare the total hours against what each of us deem "good" it's mostly dreck. The same may be said for published literature and the internet although determining the amount of content on the internet is most likely impossible now. What makes the internet superior is it's search and filtering capabilities. So far there's not much of that for TV although it's coming as they are merging into each other. I use the internet to find books too.

[tap4154]

TV is like a huge department/grocery/book store, and so is the Internet.

It's up to you what departments you shop in, and what products you choose to consume.

So don't whine if you keep landing in the junk food, cigarette/booze and tabloid or "adult" magazine aisles. They put those there because the stuff sells, but no one is forcing YOU to consume it.

[Tele Fan]

If you like it watch it, if you don't turn it off. Goes for everything.

[Tred]

I think it's up to the viewer. If all you want to do, is go numb, then knock yourself out. I watch a lot of Nat Geo, Discovery, History channel stuff.

And let's not forget, not only is there a channel changer with TV's, there is also an ON/OFF switch. If you don't like turn it off! Go play your Tele...

[Ricky D.]

I enjoy watching sports on TV, but I don't have much time on weekend afternoons to sit in front of the TV. I can get some good ideas and techniques from the cooking shows. Catch a movie once in a while.

I'm not going to pitch it out, but I wouldn't miss it it it ceased to exist.

[greggorypeccary]

Originally Posted by Mjark

TV does suck. At least with the internet you have more control and choice. Maybe Canadian TV is superior to US TV. At least you have Curling on TV. I'd watch that.

I have control & choice with TV. I choose to watch what I want.

Of course, I watch these shows over the internet now so I can choose when I watch too.

[Telarkaster]

Originally Posted by O- Fender

Of course, he used a tone of voice that suggested that he is obviously superior to the rest of us.

People have been feeling smug and superior about not watching TV for decades, you were polite and well mannered for keeping quiet, your friend wasn't.

Originally Posted by O- Fender

... some Saved By The Bell reruns.

Are you insinuating that there are some other Saved By The Bell reruns that are good by saying "some" instead of "all"?

Originally Posted by O- Fender

LOL Cats?

I can spend hours laughing at those cute fury little guys. We all need an outlet, I like stuff that others can't stand and vice versa. Do I have more lofty intellectual pursuits than LOL Cats or watching "Weaponology" on the Military Channel? Sure. But sometimes after a long day at work I just want to chill. As long as I know what I'm doing is mindless that's okay, and as long as it's not the only thing I do that's okay too. As my grandmother said, "All things in moderation, including moderation itself".

That said, I think I can live without TV, especially now that the Habs are out of the playoffs. But that's a subject for the sports thread...

And yes, Canadian TV bites...

[keithb7]

Between a full time job,this forum, and actually playing all our numerous amps, guitars and pedals, how in the heck do do you find time to watch any TV? I bet I watch an hour a month at best. Movies? My time is just too valuable. I hate it when I blow 2 hours on a movie someone recommended and it sux! That's 2 more hours I could have been playing guitar, or on here seeking more amp knowledge from my electronics books. I just don't have an attraction to TV or movies for entertainment or education.

[Lee Harvey]

Originally Posted by O- Fender

TV is known as a brain rotting wasteland but why?

My wife and I were having coffee at a local place when someone came in and sat with his friends at the next table. I'm not sure what prompted him but he proceeded to discuss (loudly, too btw) that he swore off tv and got rid of his set a long time ago. He now gets his news and entertainment from the internet and movies. Of course, he used a tone of voice that suggested that he is obviously superior to the rest of us.

I kept quiet for my wife's sake.

First, yes, there are a lot of crap shows on like Jersey Shore, Entertainment Tonight and some Saved By The Bell reruns. I take it the guy never watched shows like Boston Legal, The Wire, Breaking Bad, Nurse Jackie or Big Bang Theory (to name but five). Great shows, well written with a great cast. Some are deep and fully dimensional characters. If you sold your set and haven't watched TV in years, how do you know it hasn't improved?

The guy said he prefers quality entertainment like movies. My first thought was Transformers VI (or whatever number they're up to), the movies based on board games (I'm sure "Snakes and Ladders, The Movie" is a classic) or the latest Adam Sandler offering. Yeah, that's art, Buddy. Much better than the "brainrot" of television.

Now, the internet... Wow, where do I begin? There's youtube. Numa Numa guy has something like over 40 million views. The cat that plays keyboard probably has something like over 20 million. How many videos are there of skateboarders taking a spill onto concrete? And you say television is a waste of time?

As for the rest of the net. How about the number of people trying to screw with wikipedia by posting misinformation? Or the many websites devoted to top 5 and top 10 lists. Facebook where your friends can bare their soul with such gems as "my greatest blessings call me mom" (cut and pasted from another site) or an announcement of whatever level of Wheel of Fortune or that Castle quest game they are on. What about those websites devoted to "I hate ----" (insert celebrity of your choice). How about the Chuck Norris sayings? LOL Cats? Are these really better use of your time than watching some sitcom on primetime?

My point is that, yes, there is a lot of crap on television. There is also a lot of crap in film, art, internet and music, it's all about the content you choose. If you think TV is crap, maybe it's because you are not choosing the right programs.

So, why does television get the bad rap?

OK, I'm breathing now. I'm calm again. Thanks for reading. I now return you to your... uh... regularly scheduled program.

There is nothing wrong with TV, it's more how one spends his time infront on the TV.

I watch maybe a total of 3 hours a week of TV. There's just other stuff I'd rather be doing.

(I watch Antenna TV) a Retro channel. Love the Ropers, Threes Company and All in the Family.

[winny pooh]

I'm with JJ on most of this, I personally don't have the time to watch subpar entertainment. Think of the time invested to watch one season of any series. You could watch 6 Great, unique and intriguing movies (I could name 100, so don't give me that pathetic whiny crap about transformers & big hollywood) in the same space of time that it takes for one storyline. Tv's greatest moments are not that great, it is that simple.

Compare the best tv series you ever saw then read the full Booker shortlist for any given year to see what I mean.... But the fact is that You Won't. Because tv encourages mental laziness.

I am not slagging off anyone that watches tv, but if that is your primary entertainment measured in hours of your life (compared to movies, reading, writing, playing, practicing & hobbies) then you are missing out on life.

[Gareth John]

I have to agree with jjkrause84 and hannigan here but I own a TV. I pay a tv licence and I pay for sky. Ads, ads and more ads, reruns, dave ja vu +5. The amount of hours I watch tv for "something to do"! It's depressing. Out of all the channels, how many do I actually watch? How many programmes on those channels do I actually care about watching? Would I be bothered if I missed an episode of that programme?

For the amount of money I spend on TV I'm certianly not getting value for money. I'll probably still keep paying and watching because it's easy entertainment. As for the news, most of it is gossip and stuff I really don't need to know.

I really wish I could free myself from TV, internet, books, music because I think it's an unhealthy imbalance in my life.

Nothing to do with intellect but surely there's better use of my money and time. There must be more to life than this?!?

[boris bubbanov]

Originally Posted by O- Fender

So, why does television get the bad rap?

No one, as their last hours of life approach, ever says:

"I wish I had watched more TV".

I am still not 100% recovered from what the TV watchers said to me as a kid when I admitted I lived in a home without a TV.

You wanna talk about superiority behavior? You have no idea.