The Decline and fall of...........the History Channel

It is a massive shame. They used to have some great shows and some interesting content. I dont know how they got into this reality tv crap. Awful stuff. Even Discovery has been lacking as of recent.

sonicare

the last good historical thing they did was america: the story of us. i thoroughly enjoyed those documentaries. i also like pawn stars. other than that, the channel is complete BS now.

Reality is taking over TV. It's cheaper to produce and unfortunately seems to entertain the masses. I don't get it....you want reality....open the door and get outside.LJS9502_basic

In spite of that, I don't think people want to actually experience any of the drama. they rather watch some schmucks on TV in a "reality" show, and gain some sort of sense of superiority by watching these "people" engage in their travails.

[QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"]Reality is taking over TV. It's cheaper to produce and unfortunately seems to entertain the masses. I don't get it....you want reality....open the door and get outside.SirWander

In spite of that, I don't think people want to actually experience any of the drama. they rather watch some schmucks on TV in a "reality" show, and gain some sort of sense of superiority by watching these "people" engage in their travails.

Yeah....but I meant you can see reality.LJS9502_basic

Oh, yeah you can. didn't know you were being so literal.

I can appreciate Pawn Stars and American Pickers, even Cajun Pawn Stars (had a post Civil War medical kit come in one time that showed what doctors used back in the late 1800s). There are lots of little things that show up and are pieces of Americana or better, world history. I was watching last night and the guys had a women bring in a document dating back to when John Hancock commissioned Abel Boyton a captain at the start of the Revolution (remember the "Shot heard round the world?"). Granted, there are some things that are shown that you have to wonder WTF, but as a rule, they do try to show something that is worthwhile and historic, even if it is only from the last 40 years (Jimi Hendrix picture).

As far as the other programs, I don't watch. I still try to watch Modern Marvels if it is on, but most are reruns when I watch it. Now they did have a show about Pearl Harbor recently and I had to DVR it as I was trying to go to sleep. For most of my "history" documentaries, I watch the Military Channel, but it isn't in HD. Still, reality TV has crept in there like Making the Cut. I have no interest in those shows really.

TV appeals to the lowest common denominator. Those watching are the same ones that made stars out of Nickelback.....LJS9502_basic

and the Cure

:)

You guys don't like Swamp People? that show is freakin awesome!...but yea what happened to all the history >_>

I like science channel. How its Made, Into the Wormhole, Build it Bigger, Head Rush (plays old Mythbusters shows which are the best), Monster Bug Wars, An Idiot Abroad.

What the hell happenned? Why has this channel now become the 'redneck' channel? Who the hell finds that sh!t interesting? Landing planes on icy tarmacs? Cutting down trees? c'mon

Alaska: Dangerous Territory

American Pickers

Ax Men

Big Shrimpin'

Ice Road Truckers

Ice Pilots

the list goes on and on.......not to mention all the Nostradamus crap that got old after a couple months? Do they even show actual history anymore??

BossPerson

Go to History Channel International. That's where all the history shows are at. The History Channel has been a reality show channel for a while now.

I miss all the documentaries and shows like Mail Call and Conquest that taught you all about weapons and stuff. History channel used to be awesome. Now it's a load of crap.

You guys don't like Swamp People? that show is freakin awesome!

TChaivong

Yup. I watched The Greatest Tank Battles series on History Channel International not too long ago. It's not on Basic Cable though. It's on the 2nd, more expensive tier.

I was just thinking of the same thing... Some shows are still interesting though.

Yup. I watched The Greatest Tank Battles series on History Channel International not too long ago. It's not on Basic Cable though. It's on the 2nd, more expensive tier.

jun_aka_pekto

I think they got that from The Military Channel as that is a series from them, speaking of which, there is a new season of it. I need to start DVRing them to watch in the mornings.

You forgot Swamp People and Cajun Pawn Stars, they wrestle gators and then sell em. =PAllicrombie

I could totally imagine you wrestling a gator.

[QUOTE="Allicrombie"]You forgot Swamp People and Cajun Pawn Stars, they wrestle gators and then sell em. =Pairshocker

I could totally imagine you wrestling a gator.

[QUOTE="TChaivong"]

You guys don't like Swamp People? that show is freakin awesome!

metroidprime55

AmI the only one thatsense some hate from that statement? = O

not being from the south, I find some of the shows to be interesting,fun and informative on Cajun culture

[QUOTE="metroidprime55"][QUOTE="TChaivong"]

You guys don't like Swamp People? that show is freakin awesome!

TChaivong

AmI the only one thatsense some hate from that statement? = O

not being from the south, I find some of the shows to be interesting,fun and informative on Cajun culture

[QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"]TV appeals to the lowest common denominator. Those watching are the same ones that made stars out of Nickelback.....CHOASXIII

and the Cure

:)

History channel fell hard, so did Court TV *shutters*.

Yangire

I like Pawn Stars, except that Chumlee guy always looks stoned out of his mind. Allicrombie

I have a hard time believing he's actually as stupid as he seems.

If he is, I've lost more faith in humanity.

[QUOTE="Allicrombie"] I like Pawn Stars, except that Chumlee guy always looks stoned out of his mind. airshocker

I have a hard time believing he's actually as stupid as he seems.

If he is, I've lost more faith in humanity.

Yeah, History is crap now. I still find Pawn Stars, Sons of Guns, and Top Shot decent, but that's it.

[QUOTE="CHOASXIII"]

[QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"]TV appeals to the lowest common denominator. Those watching are the same ones that made stars out of Nickelback.....LJS9502_basic

and the Cure

:)

I have no idea what you are talking about my dear chap.

[QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"][QUOTE="CHOASXIII"]

and the Cure

:)

CHOASXIII

I have no idea what you are talking about my dear chap.

[QUOTE="airshocker"]

[QUOTE="Allicrombie"] I like Pawn Stars, except that Chumlee guy always looks stoned out of his mind. metroidprime55

I have a hard time believing he's actually as stupid as he seems.

If he is, I've lost more faith in humanity.

[QUOTE="CHOASXIII"]

[QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"] Yet you use them on another forum....LJS9502_basic

I have no idea what you are talking about my dear chap.

Hey now don't get all snappy at me with spelling my name correctly. :)

[QUOTE="metroidprime55"][QUOTE="airshocker"]

I have a hard time believing he's actually as stupid as he seems.

If he is, I've lost more faith in humanity.

Allicrombie

[QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"][QUOTE="CHOASXIII"]

I have no idea what you are talking about my dear chap.

CHOASXIII

Hey now don't get all snappy at me with spelling my name correctly. :)

yes, his knowledge of basketball shoes is legendary. Why the hell isnt he married???Allicrombie

Obviously because he hasn't met you! Duh.

[QUOTE="Allicrombie"]yes, his knowledge of basketball shoes is legendary. Why the hell isnt he married???airshocker

Obviously because he hasn't met you! Duh.

[QUOTE="jun_aka_pekto"]

Yup. I watched The Greatest Tank Battles series on History Channel International not too long ago. It's not on Basic Cable though. It's on the 2nd, more expensive tier.

WhiteKnight77

I think they got that from The Military Channel as that is a series from them, speaking of which, there is a new season of it. I need to start DVRing them to watch in the mornings.

My bad. You're right. The Greatest Tank Battles is from the Military Channel. But, Dogfights Seasons 1 and 2 are from The History Channel. Speaking of which..... Dogfights remain my favorite The History Channel documentary.

[QUOTE="CHOASXIII"]

[QUOTE="LJS9502_basic"] I'm sure CHAOS. LJS9502_basic

Hey now don't get all snappy at me with spelling my name correctly. :)

Me? No, no...you got me all wrong buddy. Let's take a walk down happy lane here. :)

You forgot Pawn Stars, which is awesome.

airshocker

The alien shows show what kind of uneducated audience they're after though.

The shows you mentioned while not my thing, could be interesting.

Chalk it up to crass commercialism. All those shows are programmed on their perceived popularity and how how well they sell to sponsors. We see this with the rash of UFO and ghost shows on this channel, along with speculative mysteries and pseudo science. This type of programming requires less research and documentation, in fact, one could say just about anything, as long as it is interesting. In addition, they've bought into the fact that reality TV is better than substantive documentary. History Channel, like other channels, weigh the cost and time to produce a program. If a reality series will carry the same or more viewers with less effort, then producers will go the more cost effective route. In general, I believe that the History Channel is endemic of the tv industry. I predict that we are witnessing the demise of television, as we've known it. It is excessively laden with commercials and pop-ups, and the programming is less than challenging and insists on appealing to the lowest common denominator.MysticGenie

Viasat History, my only love. Not sure if Americans get the channel but its particularly awesome. Mostly non biased documentaries, stays true to the genre and has minimum, if any, conspiracy theory, alien, nonsense.

Cities of the underworld, life after people and WW2 in color were imo the best shows on History.

yeah I'm totally into perpetually stoned, obese guys with IQ's equal to or lower than their own shoe sizes. =PAllicrombie

You just crushed the collective souls of OT. :P

My bad. You're right. The Greatest Tank Battles is from the Military Channel. But, Dogfights Seasons 1 and 2 are from The History Channel. Speaking of which..... Dogfights remain my favorite The History Channel documentary.

jun_aka_pekto

I have both seasons too. It was a great series and wished they had more.

As far as The Military Channel, I would have to say my favorite series is Missions That Changed the War. Hitler's Bodyguard was pretty informing too.

[QUOTE="Allicrombie"]yeah I'm totally into perpetually stoned, obese guys with IQ's equal to or lower than their own shoe sizes. =Pairshocker

You just crushed the collective souls of OT. :P

Not mine. I am none of the above.

[QUOTE="jun_aka_pekto"]

My bad. You're right. The Greatest Tank Battles is from the Military Channel. But, Dogfights Seasons 1 and 2 are from The History Channel. Speaking of which..... Dogfights remain my favorite The History Channel documentary.

WhiteKnight77

I have both seasons too. It was a great series and wished they had more.

As far as The Military Channel, I would have to say my favorite series is Missions That Changed the War. Hitler's Bodyguard was pretty informing too.

I wish Dogfights continued on as well. I would've liked to have seen the stories of the Italian and Japanese aces in WW2 + the Romanians, the HONCHOS in the Korean War, and the Vietnam War from the NVAF's viewpoint.

[QUOTE="airshocker"]

You forgot Pawn Stars, which is awesome.

BossPerson

Pawn stars is about the history and the stories