History Channel ... History?

[meat]

So ... it occurs to me, as I'm watching the History Channel, that it doesn't actually seem to have anything to do with History anymore.

Sort of like MTV - "Music Television" - and VH1 - "Video Hits 1" no longer seem to have anything to do with music or music videos.

Every time I switch over to History Channel, it's showing Ax Men or Ice Road Truckers or (usually) Modern Marvels. Not really much in the way of History if you ask me.

Back in the day, I loved to watch History channel; I learned more about the Romans, WWI, WWII, the Civil War, and even Vietnam than I ever learned in school. I loved to watch Automobiles. I dug finding out more about places like Petra, Venice, Moscow, Germany and America.

What happened? When did the History Channel decide that it wanted to be the Discovery Channel?

Next thing you know, they'll be showing wrestling on the Sci-Fi channel. Oh, wait...

Your pal,
Meat.

[wtm442]

... but I still watch History Channel because they have good shows. At least it is no longer the Hitler Channel.

The Modern Marvels are getting a little thin when they show subjects like soap and taffy manufacturing. Since when is taffy a MARVEL?

[427sharpe]

As noted above; we live in a video age..we want to 'see' the action, not just hear it or look at stills. History Channel ran out of video. How many times can you re-cut Pearl Harbor scenes, D-Day scenes, or WWII scenes in general until they are used up??? It is disconcerting to me when I am watching a story of Midway and they show Luftwaffe planes strafing the ground...and it aint no island!
Same happened a night or two ago when they were discussing the kamikaze and showed an in flight P40....
At least they have kept the modern 'revisionist' history in check..for now!

[Jamo]

I agree, Meat. It's like watching Speed and praying somebody will turn right.

Still good stuff though.

[Excaliber]

I really like the Ax Men series, brings back some memories. And reafirms my choice to move from Oregon in the first place!

[Ron61]

I watch the History Channel more than any other and have learned a great amount from it. but as stated above, some of the old shows are getting boring. They did have a new on last night about UFOs that was seen In Texas in Jan. of this year and it was interesting. I kept watching to see if they were going to land and let any little Meats out.

Ron

[Silverback51]

Get the Playboy channel. Even the re-runs are interesting.

[trularin]

Ernie, I didn't know you are a lumber jack. Dang...you've done it all.

I agree meat, I like watching history onthe history channel. I think they got better ratings when the added these AX MEN and ICE ROAD TRUCKERS shows.

[Commodore]

It's all about drama (manufactured or real) today. Rapid fire jump cuts, zooming in and out during static shots, blurred rapid motion pan shots and overly articulated hosts who think they are clever or comedians. Do we need a sound effect to precede every camera motion or cut to remind us how armature today's directors and editors have become? Where is Sgt. Joe Friday?? "Just the facts Mame". The local news has become an entertainment filler between commercials for what might be news worthy.
PBS aired a tribute to the history of Lime Rock Park a number of times in the past that was a masterpiece of simplicity, information and good taste. We need more of that style of programming on the History Channel. Network offerings like Wife Swap, Miami Ink, Biggest Looser, Pinks, Unique Whips, American Idol and like programing have become the fast food standard of seemingly all modern programming. BOREING. We can and should do better.
RB

[Ron61]

True,

Ernie is a real jack of all trades. He has worked at almost every type of job and even burned up a vehicle or two in the process. But he does know his stuff. Heck, you should hire him to tune your Cobra up.

Ron

[trularin]

Ron, have you been going out to the alien space craft in the backyard again?

[427 S/O]

I don't know, kinda resembles that BS american chopper. Talk about a show that old real fast..........