My husband and I have noticed an interesting transformation happening with several cable network brands. Some of the more intellectual, educational networks have succumbed to reality TV hysteria, and it now seems that their content doesn't quite match the brand meaning as it was originally intended.
Consider A&E, the Arts and Entertainment Channel. If you read the description of A&E at their corporate site, it states:
Now reaching more than 88 million homes, A&E Network brings viewers the Art of Entertainment through a unique combination of three genres -- the Art of Biography, the Art of Documentary and the Art of Drama. A brand synonymous with excellence in television, A&E Network offers a diverse mix of programming ranging from critically acclaimed original series and movies, to innovative documentaries, to the Emmy award winning Biography series ...
If you watch A&E, you know they feature a lineup of such excellence in television as "Dog, the Bounty Hunter" (about a Hawaiian bounty hunting family), "Criss Angel Mindfreak" (about a David Blaine wannabe), and "Growing Up Gotti" (about the daily lives of the relatives of the famous mob boss). My husband is fond of asking: "Does this show represent the A or the E in Arts & Entertainment?" We've come to the conclusion that most of them probably represent the ampersand. Not that we don't love Dog, because he is in fact awesome, but these shows seem like strange bedfellows if you think back to the type of network A&E was when it was launched.
Then there's TLC, or the Learning Channel network. TLC features such shows as "What Not To Wear", "Trading Spaces" and "Overhaulin'". In my household, we've renamed it the Loser Channel, since it seems to be aimed at people who have no idea how to dress or decorate their home, and who drive cars in need of serious body work. When I think of TLC, I think of shows about space, and nature, and ... and ... "Sports Disasters"? As they describe it:
Through emotional storytelling, TLC seeks to unite, engage and empower people to transform their lives. TLC is one of the most valued entertainment brands in the marketplace today, a trusted place for viewers to find high-quality programming ...
High quality programming indeed. Should I watch "Miami Ink", about a tattoo parlor in Miami airing on TLC, or "Inked", about a tattoo parlor in Las Vegas airing on A&E? Decisions, decisions.
television is not about substance. it is about appealling to idiots who will hopefully buy some products and succumb to the overt and sublimated images and directives. to enjoy your life you must break away from television as your source of contentment. Dog Chapman is a great person who is more redeeming than about anything on tv. the only truly good shows on tv are Law and Order SVU, Dog the Bounty Hunter, angry minorities on poorly produced public access channels, college basketball, college and NFL football and any of the PGA's four major tournaments. outside of these programs a person must find enjoyment outside, in their own mind, friends, family or books. drugs and alcohol can also be used by those responsible enough to handle such items.
Posted by: bob | August 04, 2005 at 06:43 PM
I agree that Dog the bounty hunter is awesome, but calling Criss Angel "a David Blaine wannabe" is totally bogus!!
Criss Angel the Mind Freak can walk up a wall, lift a car, levitate way up in the air, and many other amazing things that the loser David Blaine could never dream of doing, because all Blaine is, is a magic shop magician. You can buy his tricks anyplace!
In short, David Blaine is just a dime-a-dozen loser that should stay doing kiddie birthday parties!
Criss Angel RULES!!
Posted by: Angel | October 03, 2005 at 03:44 AM
I agree with the above. Blaine sucks and Angel rules!
And Dog The Bounty Hunter is awesome!
Posted by: NightHunter | October 22, 2005 at 09:54 AM