TV Today

[BigDaddyLH]

There were certainly some classics like Twilight Zone and Hitchcock and some great westerns, a genre which I really love.
However, a lot of shows have not aged well. They were so formulaic and predictable (and cheesy). Many were not realistic: husband and wives didn’t share a bed; Westerns painted native Americans and Mexicans in shallow and racist ways; blacks were underrepresented and/or stereotyped, etc. Life was painted as black and white with no shades of grey. The good guys always won.
Children’s shows are much more educational than they were in the 50s and 60s and have a great deal of moral content as well.
Certainly there are too many “reality” shows which aren’t really realistic. Quality content is sparse but I also think there is a great deal of social and moral content in shows like Young Sheldon, Mom, The Neighborhood. A lot of quality shows are being presented on streaming services. Ted Lasso and Shrinking are prime examples.
I understand your feelings but I think your statement about “living in the past” is something that we all fall prey to, to some extent. Prior generations pass judgement on younger generation’s music, art, culture, behaviors , work ethic, etc.
Things change and change is constant.

I know some folks make a point of not watching the news. I just listen to old radio news broadcasts. I don't know about this ****** guy in Germany. I hope Chamberlain straightens him out.

 

[burntfrijoles]

I know some folks make a point of not watching the news. I just listen to old radio news broadcasts. I don't know about this ****** guy in Germany. I hope Chamberlain straightens him out.

ISWYDT
I actually think the old style of news with Cronkite, Huntley/Brinkley, Reynolds, Reasoner, etc was better because there seemed to be less analysis and more reporting.
I watch very little TV news today. I do read the news. Reading reports of the events, without analysis, is my preferred way of assessing what's happening.

 

[Knows3Chords]

We still have three local news channels here in the Detroit area. I have no idea why. They all do the same stories with the same editorial news bias and slants.

 

[2HBStrat]

There were certainly some classics like Twilight Zone and Hitchcock and some great westerns, a genre which I really love.
However, a lot of shows have not aged well. They were so formulaic and predictable (and cheesy). Many were not realistic: husband and wives didn’t share a bed; Westerns painted native Americans and Mexicans in shallow and racist ways...

Of all of the Westerns that I watched back in the day and have caught in reruns recently I think "Have Gun, Will Travel" seems to be the one that holds up pretty well. In comedies "The Dick Can Dyke Show" seems to hold up because nothing was topical.

 

[trapdoor2]

I gave up prime-time in the 70s. I have seen some episodes of some programs but rarely serial ones.

I watch old movies (TCM) and some History Channel infotainment. Oh, and a few things on Motor Trend...and Jeopardy.

Miz Diane got hooked on Perry Mason re-runs on ME TV...until she finally had seen them all.

 

[getbent]

Disney owns one ABC
Comcast owns NBC
Paramount owns CBS

The news is just an entertainment arm so, it is mostly a marketing vehicle for what they are selling.

The ratings leader is Good Morning America which is simply a marketing tool for Disney. Several times during any broadcast, they will say 'we are owned by Disney' but nobody cares. It is just hours of ads.

The nightly news on ABC has a good anchor, but he does 6 segments of which one is a 'feel good' segment to market their benevolence.

Cable News is basically 1800's yellow journalism. Also, just entertainment (the way some people like Saw movies.)

 

[burntfrijoles]

Of all of the Westerns that I watched back in the day and have caught in reruns recently I think "Have Gun, Will Travel" seems to be the one that holds up pretty well. In comedies "The Dick Can Dyke Show" seems to hold up because nothing was topical.

Paladin, the erudite hired gun, was certainly different and is still very watchable.
Who could argue with Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore?

 

[Refugee]

A show I fished a few months ago that was quite good is Longmire. Originally on A & E.
Katie Sackoff (Battlestar Galactica)
Lou Diamond Phillips
A. Martinez
Recurring guest Peter Weller

For Int'l news BBC America
Local news good luck

 

[Modman68]

we are actually in a period where there are so many content producers that we have an embarrassment of riches hidden in a mountain of mud.

Network and cable don’t really compete anymore either with the exception of HBO. It’s all streaming and each streaming service reminds me of record companies in the 80’s… sign EVERYTHING and let the cream rise.

There is plenty of “good” tv for any flavor of watcher. Just gotta look in the right place.

 

[bobio]

We just got fiber internet, dumped DirecTV. I have been sick of paying for 145 channels when we only watch a few. We are streaming just what we want to watch now.

 

[Maguchi]

 

[Maguchi]

What about "Seinfeld?"

^^^Yep, also Married with Children.

 

[Knows3Chords]

View attachment 1099809 View attachment 1099810

Mary Ann, of course!

 

[loudboy]

They're all streaming, but you really need to look for them. Lately, Crunk on Earth on Netflix had us rolling.

As far as newtwork sitcoms go, Seinfeld rules the roost - a show about nothing with "No hugs, no lessons."

I also used to enjoy Malcolm In The Middle.