NationStates Jolt Archive

Thats the bad kind if hysterical, by the way, not the funny kind.

The History Channel has gone through a few phases, as we all know. A few years ago it was the Hitler Channel, because it only showed things related to WWII. The show about the Bermuda Triangle was actually about how Hitler tried to use it to blow up the US and so on.
Well, now it seems that %75 of the programming is stuff about UFO's, the Bermuda Triangle, apocolyptic events (December 2012 is apparently a favorite) and other subjects only loosely connected to history. And to top it all off, theyve pretty much stopped showing the good Modern Marvels. Seriously, why would I WANT to know about some damn bridge in Mississippi? HOW CAN YOU TALK FOR AN HOUR ABOUT THIS BRIDGE? THIS BRIGE IS AN EYESORE, THIS BRIDGE THIS BRIDGE THIS BRIDGE, etc.
*ahem*
For example, right now theyre doing a 'special' (IE: Theyve only shown in 99 times) on how a UFO might work. Its somewhat amusing because they've got a bunch of 'actor/filmmaker's and 'authors' talking about thermodynamics while making up a bunch of BS about antigravity with a background of bad CG animation. What this has to do with history, I'm not too sure, but it'd be really great if they'd show Engineering an Empire or Barbarians again, you know? At least the bad reenactors are accurate
The other thing is the people they 'interview' for their shows. While jabbering on about how the bermuda triangle is going to kill us all, they talked to two guys. One was an 'actor/filmmaker' who looked like a hick and was terribly upset that nobody sane would listen to him, the other was a 'pilot' who spoke at length about 'electronic fog' and 'seeing time'.

Normally I WOULD just change the channel, but History Channel is my default 'white noise' channel, since they USED to have semi-decent programming on most of the time which was good filler for the times between Dr. Who and Mythbusters.
I wont even get started on the commercials. If Cialis gave out free samples with their commercials I'd never be flaccid again.

You are basically right on about the programming. I think what may have happened is ratings were down and they hired a new director of programming. In fact they may be modeling their programming off that radio show Coast to Coast the conspiracy theorists and general crazies listen to.

Huh, here on the west coast we're still on the exploration of dragon lore, next is the Bermuda Triangle, then the UFO show you're watching, then Comets:Prophets of Doom, and then a long special on the Antichrist.

Well, similar programing throughout the day, especially a day like Sunday isn't uncommon. It's to encourage what they call 'flow.' (It's also why TNT and TBS run the beginning of the next program over the credits of the previous program). To get a viewer to follow through to the next program, so I guess seeing a whole lot of like programs in one day isn't that telling.

Tomorrow it's a lot of History's Mysteries, Modern Marvels, and a special on Comic Book Heroes.

So there are still Modern Marvels being played. But you have to admit, after a while you start to run out of Marvels...I think I saw one on concrete...

I lost my point a while ago, I think...

I'd suggest changing your background noise channel. The History Channel used to fill that same role for me, until I went to college and accidentally learned a thing or two about history. Now I can't stand their inane drivel (which, on the odd chance they're actually showing something historical, is more likely than not grossly inaccurate and/or horrendously biased).

My 'background noise' channel changed about two years ago to the Discovery Channel. A particular favorite is "How It's Made". You'd be amazed how fascinating the manufacturing process for a coffee table or a gross of egg cartons is.

I'd suggest changing your background noise channel. The History Channel used to fill that same role for me, until I went to college and accidentally learned a thing or two about history. Now I can't stand their inane drivel (which, on the odd chance they're actually showing something historical, is more likely than not grossly inaccurate and/or horrendously biased).

My 'background noise' channel changed about two years ago to the Discovery Channel. A particular favorite is "How It's Made". You'd be amazed how fascinating the manufacturing process for a coffee table or a gross of egg cartons is.
Speed Channel for me, though sometimes it starts to feel like it's got MTV disease, too enamored with 'original' programing and not showing enough actual Speed (racing). And enough with the fucking NASCAR...[/irrelevance]

I thought the Modern Marvels on the Disney World BELOW the surface was pretty interesting.

I think the OP is a few bricks short of a full load. I love the History Channel and they have very good shows on there.

I think the OP is a few bricks short of a full load. I love the History Channel and they have very good shows on there.

The prosecution rests, your honor.

The prosecution rests, your honor.

Well, he is speaking as a historian...

The prosecution rests, your honor.

Case dismissed. AND NOW, THE WHORES!

Well, he is speaking as a historian...

That will never get old.

Yes, they were just talking about anti-matter and anti-protons a few minutes ago...xxD

History Channel still has some really good special series. I loved The Universe when they aired it over the summer.

If you want to talk about shitty programming changes. TLC used to show stuff similar to Modern Marvels. Then 5 years ago it decided to become HGTV2 and the bored housewife channel.

History Channel still has some really good special series. I loved The Universe when they aired it over the summer.

Dogfights is my fav. series on the History Channel! w00t!

over here we still get the WWII blabber as if somehow the entire period of humanity can be condensed down to 7-ish years

dammit I want to see more programs that where originally BBC but are now being re-aired :p

My 'background noise' channel changed about two years ago to the Discovery Channel. A particular favorite is "How It's Made". You'd be amazed how fascinating the manufacturing process for a coffee table or a gross of egg cartons is.

I used to watch that everyday before I did anything I loved the one on nails

The History Channel is my white noise channel too, but when I do watch it, its for entertainment, not for learning. Side note: I just saw a modern marvels about.. the pyramids in Egypt. -_-

Well, he is speaking as a historian...

Judging from the type of programs the "history" channel is supposedly showing these days, one has to wonder what kind of "historian" Corneliu is.

If it's the same type that's on the history channel, it might explain a lot about his so-called area of expertise.

Oh and as for other History Channel shows.

Modern Marvels is good, though they show it less.
I love Human Weapon
Dogfights is great, but they are running out of great battles to cover
Lost Worlds is really good
Digging for the Truth has good episodes

Judging from the type of programs the "history" channel is supposedly showing these days, one has to wonder what kind of "historian" Corneliu is.

The one that actually researches. Thanks though. Anyways...I'm done here for now. I'll keep monitoring and see if people actually learn to grow up.

Oh and as for other History Channel shows.

Modern Marvels is good, though they show it less.
I love Human Weapon
Dogfights is great, but they are running out of great battles to cover
Lost Worlds is really good
Digging for the Truth has good episodes

I'm curious as to how Ice Road Truckers is history.

Part of that channel group (TLC, Discovery, and History Channel are all owned by the same company) trying to capitalize on the popularity people doing dangerous jobs in the same way they tried to capitalized on people arguing while they build things under stringent deadlines...

Maybe it's because I grew up in 'gold country,' but it should seem obvious that once someone jumps up and down, screaming and pointing "Gold gold gold!!!" that gold is gone and you should look somewhere else...

The one that actually researches. Thanks though. Anyways...I'm done here for now. I'll keep monitoring and see if people actually learn to grow up.

yeah a whole 2 pages and not one mention of time team

Excavations are not just carried out to entertain viewers. The archaeologists involved with Time Team have published more scientific papers on excavations carried out in the series than all British university archaeology departments put together over the same period.

awesome

The one that actually researches.
And yet you trust the channel that ran a program about Noah's Ark being real.

yeah a whole 2 pages and not one mention of time team

And why should I mention it?

awesome

Indeed.

And yet you trust the channel that ran a program about Noah's Ark being real.

And your proof that it isn't?

Oh and as for other History Channel shows.

Modern Marvels is good, though they show it less.
I love Human Weapon
Dogfights is great, but they are running out of great battles to cover
Lost Worlds is really good
Digging for the Truth has good episodes

Modern Marvels' problem is that theyve stopped showing the interesting ones as much as they used to. Like I said in the OP, the ones about bridges and roads are getting more common.

My problem with Dogfights is that they rarely give a good account of the 'enemy' fighters produced by 'non-western' nations, IE: Japan and Russia. MiGs are almost always portrayed as totaly inferior to Western models, and the Zero is the only Japanese plane that they show as semi-decent.
But I guess it wouldnt be good for ratings to show battles that the Americans or British LOST.

over here we still get the WWII blabber as if somehow the entire period of humanity can be condensed down to 7-ish years

dammit I want to see more programs that where originally BBC but are now being re-aired :p

I know exactly what you mean. But the BBC is sitting on a gold mine of good quality documentaries that they're not letting anyone rewatch. It's bad enough that it's my licence fee money that's gone into making them (well probably my parents' given the date of some of the documentaries), but they won't even let you pay them more money to see them again.

Modern Marvels' problem is that theyve stopped showing the interesting ones as much as they used to. Like I said in the OP, the ones about bridges and roads are getting more common.

My problem with Dogfights is that they rarely give a good account of the 'enemy' fighters produced by 'non-western' nations, IE: Japan and Russia. MiGs are almost always portrayed as totaly inferior to Western models, and the Zero is the only Japanese plane that they show as semi-decent.
But I guess it wouldnt be good for ratings to show battles that the Americans or British LOST.

Everytime I've seen them do MiGs it's been, "This thing was totally dominating the sky and we had to pull something out of our ass to beat it." Maybe we watched different episodes.

And I agree, maybe some that the target audience lost, but that doesn't seem anymore likely than a 'Greatest Police Chases' where they show the bad guy getting away...

And your proof that it isn't?

You have to prove that it is. That's how science works.

Everytime I've seen them do MiGs it's been, "This thing was totally dominating the sky and we had to pull something out of our ass to beat it." Maybe we watched different episodes.

And I agree, maybe some that the target audience lost, but that doesn't seem anymore likely than a 'Greatest Police Chases' where they show the bad guy getting away...

Thats often what the people they interview say, but the show itself seems to imply that theyre just being modest.
And, much to my dismay, they didnt bother producing an episode on the Eastern Front of World War Two...but the History Channel does that alot anyway.

I think the OP is a few bricks short of a full load. I love the History Channel and they have very good shows on there.

Is that your proffessional opinion?

Thats often what the people they interview say, but the show itself seems to imply that theyre just being modest.
And, much to my dismay, they didnt bother producing an episode on the Eastern Front of World War Two...but the History Channel does that alot anyway.

I guess we're just getting different impressions, because again, the show seems to me that the show always portrays them as better (even in that little checklist) and how the pilot pulled something out of his ass (usually exploiting a weakness they had just discovered) to win. That doesn't make the MiG inferior, just that someone found a way to win (and it's usually in the tactics, not the craft)

I guess we're just getting different impressions, because again, the show seems to me that the show always portrays them as better (even in that little checklist) and how the pilot pulled something out of his ass (usually exploiting a weakness they had just discovered) to win. That doesn't make the MiG inferior, just that someone found a way to win (and it's usually in the tactics, not the craft)

*shrug*
I guess. Maybe I just get uppity about the History Channels habit of not interviewing many of the pilots form the opposing sides. Some cases, like the Korean War, I can understand. I doubt Kim Jong Il is willing to allow interviews with his pilots.
But some stuff, like the show they did on the Indian Ocean Tsunami, in which they only interviewed Western tourists. I believe they showed a few clips of some of the various people who actually lived in the areas affected.
Guess its just regular bias, as was mentioned earlier. Whoever owns the History Channel must be British :P

I'm watching the Euro version of the History channel and it seems a bit different to whats being described....

That being said, Discovery has gone to shite alltogether....It used have a decent mix, but then turned into the "American chopper" station for about 6 months...who now share it with the "Dangerous catch" lads......

I know exactly what you mean. But the BBC is sitting on a gold mine of good quality documentaries that they're not letting anyone rewatch. It's bad enough that it's my licence fee money that's gone into making them (well probably my parents' given the date of some of the documentaries), but they won't even let you pay them more money to see them again.

I missed HIV and me whenever it was on and now I have no idea if Stephen Fry has aids or not :(

I agree, maybe some that the target audience lost, but that doesn't seem anymore likely than a 'Greatest Police Chases' where they show the bad guy getting away...

if they had they with some amazing jump over a train before racing off a bridge and swimming to a waiting jet ski for a final chase to international waters I'd watch

actually that would be a pretty bad arse show

A particular favorite is "How It's Made". You'd be amazed how fascinating the manufacturing process for a coffee table or a gross of egg cartons is.
I love those. We don't get the Discovery Channel here (I think) but lots of shows do those. Which is a bit... odd, considering that as recently as 5 or 10 years ago they were done strictly for a couple of children's shows.

The one that actually researches. Thanks though. Anyways...I'm done here for now. I'll keep monitoring and see if people actually learn to grow up.

So a channel that considers Egyptian Pyramids modern and UFOs and the future as significant portions of history is deemed worthy of a the title "history channel"?

Get back to me when you've learned what history means and what it doesn't.

Thats the bad kind if hysterical, by the way, not the funny kind.

The History Channel has gone through a few phases, as we all know. A few years ago it was the Hitler Channel, because it only showed things related to WWII. The show about the Bermuda Triangle was actually about how Hitler tried to use it to blow up the US and so on.
Well, now it seems that %75 of the programming is stuff about UFO's, the Bermuda Triangle, apocolyptic events (December 2012 is apparently a favorite) and other subjects only loosely connected to history. And to top it all off, theyve pretty much stopped showing the good Modern Marvels. Seriously, why would I WANT to know about some damn bridge in Mississippi? HOW CAN YOU TALK FOR AN HOUR ABOUT THIS BRIDGE? THIS BRIGE IS AN EYESORE, THIS BRIDGE THIS BRIDGE THIS BRIDGE, etc.
*ahem*
For example, right now theyre doing a 'special' (IE: Theyve only shown in 99 times) on how a UFO might work. Its somewhat amusing because they've got a bunch of 'actor/filmmaker's and 'authors' talking about thermodynamics while making up a bunch of BS about antigravity with a background of bad CG animation. What this has to do with history, I'm not too sure, but it'd be really great if they'd show Engineering an Empire or Barbarians again, you know? At least the bad reenactors are accurate
The other thing is the people they 'interview' for their shows. While jabbering on about how the bermuda triangle is going to kill us all, they talked to two guys. One was an 'actor/filmmaker' who looked like a hick and was terribly upset that nobody sane would listen to him, the other was a 'pilot' who spoke at length about 'electronic fog' and 'seeing time'.

Normally I WOULD just change the channel, but History Channel is my default 'white noise' channel, since they USED to have semi-decent programming on most of the time which was good filler for the times between Dr. Who and Mythbusters.
I wont even get started on the commercials. If Cialis gave out free samples with their commercials I'd never be flaccid again.


I pretty much only watch the history channel for specials on important event in history, and every single episode of mail call. To bad they don't run as often anymore.

and every single episode of mail call. To bad they don't run as often anymore.

*Watches watermelon explode*

I agree. Nothin better than some old crazy guy screaming at you while he shoots things. That kinda defines the U.S.

I, like many used to watch alot of history channel stuff and think that the quality of the programing has gone down. I say we invade their HQ and force them to put good programming on again.

On a side note: why won't the BBC re-air anything, it often has some pretty sweet documentaries but I never seem to catch them.

if they had they with some amazing jump over a train before racing off a bridge and swimming to a waiting jet ski for a final chase to international waters I'd watch

actually that would be a pretty bad arse show
There was a one shot show (I met someone who worked on it even) where people were 'challenged' to run away from cops (in a staged setting). There was a dude that used a tow truck with a car attached, the trick being he was in the attached car so when they stopped the tow truck he took off in the car. I think he actually jacked the police car, can't remember. It was sillier than it was cool, but it seemed cool...

Huh, here on the west coast we're still on the exploration of dragon lore, next is the Bermuda Triangle, then the UFO show you're watching, then Comets:Prophets of Doom, and then a long special on the Antichrist.

Well, similar programing throughout the day, especially a day like Sunday isn't uncommon. It's to encourage what they call 'flow.' (It's also why TNT and TBS run the beginning of the next program over the credits of the previous program). To get a viewer to follow through to the next program, so I guess seeing a whole lot of like programs in one day isn't that telling.

Tomorrow it's a lot of History's Mysteries, Modern Marvels, and a special on Comic Book Heroes.

So there are still Modern Marvels being played. But you have to admit, after a while you start to run out of Marvels...I think I saw one on concrete...

I lost my point a while ago, I think...

I'm learning about concrete in school now, it actually is pretty amazing, at least once you consider the wide range of materials and resulting properties...

I, like many used to watch alot of history channel stuff and think that the quality of the programing has gone down. I say we invade their HQ and force them to put good programming on again.

On a side note: why won't the BBC re-air anything, it often has some pretty sweet documentaries but I never seem to catch them.

Or if not re-air them, sell them to somebody who will. Theres the "Horizon" series, and "Timewatch". "Ch4" did the smart thing selling on time team.

I missed HIV and me whenever it was on and now I have no idea if Stephen Fry has aids or not :(

Ok, but for everyone else who doesn't want to know the result look away now. :)

He took an HIV test and it was negative. You did have to wonder if whether there was going to be a big denouement and explanation of the reason he'd chosen to make a programme about it. But apparently it was just a case of him having seen a lot of his friends and former lovers die of it.

Thats the bad kind if hysterical, by the way, not the funny kind.

The History Channel has gone through a few phases, as we all know. A few years ago it was the Hitler Channel, because it only showed things related to WWII. The show about the Bermuda Triangle was actually about how Hitler tried to use it to blow up the US and so on.
Well, now it seems that %75 of the programming is stuff about UFO's, the Bermuda Triangle, apocolyptic events (December 2012 is apparently a favorite) and other subjects only loosely connected to history. And to top it all off, theyve pretty much stopped showing the good Modern Marvels. Seriously, why would I WANT to know about some damn bridge in Mississippi? HOW CAN YOU TALK FOR AN HOUR ABOUT THIS BRIDGE? THIS BRIGE IS AN EYESORE, THIS BRIDGE THIS BRIDGE THIS BRIDGE, etc.
*ahem*
For example, right now theyre doing a 'special' (IE: Theyve only shown in 99 times) on how a UFO might work. Its somewhat amusing because they've got a bunch of 'actor/filmmaker's and 'authors' talking about thermodynamics while making up a bunch of BS about antigravity with a background of bad CG animation. What this has to do with history, I'm not too sure, but it'd be really great if they'd show Engineering an Empire or Barbarians again, you know? At least the bad reenactors are accurate
The other thing is the people they 'interview' for their shows. While jabbering on about how the bermuda triangle is going to kill us all, they talked to two guys. One was an 'actor/filmmaker' who looked like a hick and was terribly upset that nobody sane would listen to him, the other was a 'pilot' who spoke at length about 'electronic fog' and 'seeing time'.

Normally I WOULD just change the channel, but History Channel is my default 'white noise' channel, since they USED to have semi-decent programming on most of the time which was good filler for the times between Dr. Who and Mythbusters.
I wont even get started on the commercials. If Cialis gave out free samples with their commercials I'd never be flaccid again.

I thought that UFO thing was BS.

I'm watching the Euro version of the History channel and it seems a bit different to whats being described....

That being said, Discovery has gone to shite alltogether....It used have a decent mix, but then turned into the "American chopper" station for about 6 months...who now share it with the "Dangerous catch" lads......

Discovery is awesome. There is Survivor Man, Man vs Wild (both the same exact premise but carried out differently), one of the tattoo shows I think (A&E has the other), and Mythbusters. Deadliest Catch is done for a while but they keep trying to recreate it with other OMGDANGEROUS fishing shows which suck.

I don't watch the regular History Channel anymore I watch History International.

While not actually international it just sort of takes all the old history channel documentaries and replays them some of the stuff is pretty good. I like The Naked Archaeologist which is just some Israeli going around and trying to piece together the history of Ancient Israel.

I loved Conquest, Dogfights can be pretty cool but haven't seen all of one episode. I like the conspiracy stuff because I get to learn more about some religious dogma and creepy civilizations. Human Weapon was pretty cool for the one show I saw. I like History's Mysteries and that old Conspiracy? shows though I think they went too far when they talked about whether Pearl Harbor was a conspiracy but explaining all the theories on the JFK and MLK assassinations was nice. But some of that stuff fascinates me so whatever.

I accept that it really isn't entirely history and I don't really care. If the show sounds interesting I shall watch.