Does anybody remember when the History Channel and National Geographic werent about reality TV?

[Free-Stater 101]

Now a days we have entered a dark age of history tv a age of reality tv and alien depravity were 'scientist' and 'historians' stalk the halls of television looking to make a quick buck rather than inform does anybody remember the days when it wasn't so or can recall when this started?

 

[gral]

I liked those History Channel series in the late 90's that talked about the mansions built by the American wealthy of the Gilded Age... America's Castles was the name, IIRC.

I think the rot started in History Channel when they figured out people only mostly cared about WWII, and they couldn't fill the entire timetable with WWII stuff, so they had to fill the holes with reality TV.

 

[Free-Stater 101]

I liked those History Channel series in the late 90's that talked about the mansions built by the American wealthy of the Gilded Age... America's Castles was the name, IIRC.

I think the rot started in History Channel when they figured out people only mostly cared about WWII, and they couldn't fill the entire timetable with WWII stuff, so they had to fill the holes with reality TV.

If I wanted WW2 I would go to the military channel not the History Channel.

 

[Senor Hortler]

I liked the Vietnam era documentaries. There's still some of those floating around on the channel that I'll watch from time to time.

 

[Deleted member 88]

I actually like Ancient Aliens honestly.

Its speculative and officially pseudoscience I know, however it does address interesting questions.

Such as the future repeating the past

Human fallibility and limitations-if an alien spacecraft landed in ancient times, they would be seen as divine.

Its also fun. With great visuals.

Sometimes they'll have stuff that is laugh out loud false-like how the ancient Egyptians vanished, obviously relying on the historical illiteracy of their audience.

But as someone exposed to the stuffy narrow mindedness of academics, I much prefer Giorgio Tsoukalos, and almost sure his hair is an alien in disguise.

 

[Free-Stater 101]

Such as the future repeating the past

If I wanted something like that I would read The Wheel Of Time.

 

[Deleted member 88]

If I wanted something like that I would read The Wheel Of Time.

The same idea is brought up. Ancient knowledge is gained then lost, then regained. Same with technology.

Ancient Aliens is actually pretty heavy on spirituality in a new agey humanist sort of way.

 

[Abhorsen]

I actually like Ancient Aliens honestly.

Its speculative and officially pseudoscience I know, however it does address interesting questions.

Such as the future repeating the past

Human fallibility and limitations-if an alien spacecraft landed in ancient times, they would be seen as divine.

Its also fun. With great visuals.

Sometimes they'll have stuff that is laugh out loud false-like how the ancient Egyptians vanished, obviously relying on the historical illiteracy of their audience.

But as someone exposed to the stuffy narrow mindedness of academics, I much prefer Giorgio Tsoukalos, and almost sure his hair is an alien in disguise.

Oh, ancient aliens is one of my favorite shows, because it's just really funny and stupid. One time they were talking about underwater portals, and the little drawing they had of it was a trap door in the ocean floor, which even if they were real would be a totally wrong way to imagine them.

 

[Deleted member 88]

Oh it’s basically soft sci fi.

Which makes it fun and entertaining.

As an actual history major, I think I have the right to enjoy officially declared pseudo history.

 

[Senor Hortler]

Pfft, Best meme show on History channel is Hitler: The Rise of Evil. Hitler in that is A) Literally the anti christ, B) British. At one point he's staring at his uncle and the man drops dead from heart failure, and the whole scene is set up like something out of the fucking Omen. It's hitlarious.

Good speeches in it though.

EDIT: Best pairing in it is Adolf Hitler X Sabretooth from the Xmen; they had the best chemistry. I'm not joking.

EDIT2:

Bet you fuckers thought I was havin a giggle didn't ya? No.

 

[Sailor.X]

I liked those History Channel series in the late 90's that talked about the mansions built by the American wealthy of the Gilded Age... America's Castles was the name, IIRC.

I think the rot started in History Channel when they figured out people only mostly cared about WWII, and they couldn't fill the entire timetable with WWII stuff, so they had to fill the holes with reality TV.

All of those programs for the 90s now air during the daytime on Quest Tv.

 

[Bear Ribs]

The problem is that reality TV is super cheap to produce, so even if it doesn't sell as well, it can make a bigger profit that much more popular higher quality programs. Unfortunately as competition for viewing eyeballs has increased dramatically, some stations chose "minimize costs" rather than "maximize quality" as their strategy.