The Discovery Channel has come a long way from it's upstart basic cable roots. When I was a kid I remember it being the channel where you could see countless shows about haunted houses, u.f.o.'s, and "the future" as interpreted by the Sharper Image and Skymall. Occasionally you would see nature documentaries, but they'd be sorta second rate types, ones that couldn't cut it on PBS.

Now the Discovery Channel has remade itself into the network of motorcycles, crab fishermen and the busters of myths. But this isn't the first turn about by the little basic cable channel that could. There was a time when it was all about robots, junkyards and wars in junkyards with robots.

But I'm not saying it's bad though. For the most part these shows are alright. In comparison to network fare, I'd say it's like an upgrade from Long John Silvers to the Red Lobster. It's basically the same but at least you get garlic biscuits.

It could be worse. Look at TLC: the 24 hours of make-overs and Trading Spaces.