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I like history shows. Unless its a tired rerun or a new splicing of a tired rerun, I'll probably learn something. The biggest problem I've always had with the History Channel was it's fixation with World War II. Then, for a while, it got better. Now, I almost miss the megalomaniac with Charlie Chaplin's facial growth.
History Channel now offers History International. With a tendency to focus on classical Western Civ type stuff, it initially looked like a good thing. Of course, like any spin off cable channel, they basically cannibalized the good stuff from the mother channel for the launch. Then, the new programming began to appear.
Going the way of modern editorial "news", the new documentary format seems to often rely on the "voice of doom." You've heard it. "But the celebration would be short lived..." Melodramatic pap with just enough information to be technically educational, where it isn't painfully inaccurate.
Still, the goal is noble enough, history television, giant dry books compressed in rambling dramas. That's good, right? As long at the intent is fairly presenting history, I can endure the overproduction and the artifice of theatrical tension. However, it's hard to forgive inherent bias with an attempt to deceive.
There is this show "Drive Thru History". It's not a particularly good offering, kind of like the ancient world through the eyes of a retarded seminary student. No, really, they made the retard the
host. Most TV caters to a five to eight grade reading level. This show it's still trying to claw its way out of romper room.
Just a bad show isn't to problem, there are lots of not so great shows out there. The problem is that this show is a horribly bias Sunday school class in history clothing. I happened upon a show that, when mentioning the Oracle of Delphi, used the most disparaging vitriol to describe the rituals of the time.
This is to some extent understandable, a stoned Greek chick speaking in tongues is an easy mark. However, later when the First Council of Nicaea is discussed in reverential detail, no cheap shots are made. While a major moment in Christian history, it's not without mirth. One of the twenty laws prohibits self castration. ( Do I need to draw a map? This one writes itself. )
The point is, the show is over the top biased. A quick search shows this is Christian educational programming. That's fine. Such bias is understood in context. But tell the viewer! If I'm watching a show on slavery in America, I want to know if it's sponsored by the NAACP, the KKK, or the BBC. It's important! To hide such information is questionable as best.
History Channel now offers History International. With a tendency to focus on classical Western Civ type stuff, it initially looked like a good thing. Of course, like any spin off cable channel, they basically cannibalized the good stuff from the mother channel for the launch. Then, the new programming began to appear.
Going the way of modern editorial "news", the new documentary format seems to often rely on the "voice of doom." You've heard it. "But the celebration would be short lived..." Melodramatic pap with just enough information to be technically educational, where it isn't painfully inaccurate.
Still, the goal is noble enough, history television, giant dry books compressed in rambling dramas. That's good, right? As long at the intent is fairly presenting history, I can endure the overproduction and the artifice of theatrical tension. However, it's hard to forgive inherent bias with an attempt to deceive.
There is this show "Drive Thru History". It's not a particularly good offering, kind of like the ancient world through the eyes of a retarded seminary student. No, really, they made the retard the
host. Most TV caters to a five to eight grade reading level. This show it's still trying to claw its way out of romper room.
Just a bad show isn't to problem, there are lots of not so great shows out there. The problem is that this show is a horribly bias Sunday school class in history clothing. I happened upon a show that, when mentioning the Oracle of Delphi, used the most disparaging vitriol to describe the rituals of the time.
This is to some extent understandable, a stoned Greek chick speaking in tongues is an easy mark. However, later when the First Council of Nicaea is discussed in reverential detail, no cheap shots are made. While a major moment in Christian history, it's not without mirth. One of the twenty laws prohibits self castration. ( Do I need to draw a map? This one writes itself. )
The point is, the show is over the top biased. A quick search shows this is Christian educational programming. That's fine. Such bias is understood in context. But tell the viewer! If I'm watching a show on slavery in America, I want to know if it's sponsored by the NAACP, the KKK, or the BBC. It's important! To hide such information is questionable as best.