# Chasing Mummies: Oh Mighty Isis, History Channel has killed again **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 15, 2010, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chasing-mummies-oh-mighty-isis-history-channel-has-killed-again/546757 "2010-07-15T07:47:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chasing-mummies-oh-mighty-isis-history-channel-has-killed-again/546757/21 "2010-07-15T19:06:45Z")
> [@joebuck20](#): > > You wouldn’t happen to have a link to that, would you? [This is a summary. You need a subscription to read the full article.](http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2009/11/16/091116fa_fact_parker) It does show him as running his own personal fiefdom, or pharaoh-dom, but it’s not completely negative. > [@](#): > > Egyptology is a small, backbiting world. But this can only partly explain the strength of feeling about Hawass. Some colleagues complain that he excavates incautiously, puts public relations before science, hypes his own archeological finds, and takes credit owed to others. Even his admirers are likely to concede some of the charges. Yet even Hawass’s harshest are willing to place his swagger in context: that is, they recognize that ancient Egypt has been largely in foreign hands for two hundred years. Hawass’s task—in effect to Egyptianize Egyptology by means of a personality cult—is not an easy one. > […] > To the discomfort of some Egyptologists, Hawass is more than a participant in Quilici’s breathless shows; he is a collaborator, in a way that allows the space between the discipline of Egyptology and its popularization to shrink to nothing. ---
**Author:** ![Kizarvexius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/da6949/32.png) [@Kizarvexius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kizarvexius)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chasing-mummies-oh-mighty-isis-history-channel-has-killed-again/546757/22 "2010-07-15T19:18:52Z")
I want my Hitler Channel back. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chasing-mummies-oh-mighty-isis-history-channel-has-killed-again/546757/23 "2010-07-15T19:20:38Z")
Did they say what training the interns had? Were they archeology grad students? ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chasing-mummies-oh-mighty-isis-history-channel-has-killed-again/546757/24 "2010-07-15T19:36:26Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Did they say what training the interns had? Were they archeology grad students? Presumably, but they didn’t really go into it. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chasing-mummies-oh-mighty-isis-history-channel-has-killed-again/546757/25 "2010-07-15T19:38:32Z")
> [@joebuck20](#): > > You wouldn’t happen to have a link to that, would you? [The abstract is online](http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2009/11/16/091116fa_fact_parker), but full-text requires registration. ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chasing-mummies-oh-mighty-isis-history-channel-has-killed-again/546757/26 "2010-07-15T19:50:25Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > [This is a summary. You need a subscription to read the full article.](http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2009/11/16/091116fa_fact_parker) It does show him as running his own personal fiefdom, or pharaoh-dom, but it’s not completely negative. > [@](#): > > Yet even Hawass’s harshest are willing to place his swagger in context: that is, they recognize that ancient Egypt has been largely in foreign hands for two hundred years. Hawass’s task—in effect to Egyptianize Egyptology by means of a personality cult—is not an easy one. Dr. Hawass, all by himself, is capable of making me long for the return of colonialism. 😃 I would not mind an Egyptian ‘personality cult’, but his personality appears on screen so damn grating, fake and obnoxious! Even knowing nothing whatever about the man or his contributions to science, his mere appearance in a show kills interest in its subject dead. Surely there exist Egyptian Egyptologists with gravitas and charisma … ! ---
**Author:** ![overlyverbose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@overlyverbose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overlyverbose)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chasing-mummies-oh-mighty-isis-history-channel-has-killed-again/546757/27 "2010-07-15T19:51:41Z")
That hack has a reality show? Jesus, what has the world come to? Seriously, I can’t stand that guy - he gives archaeology a bad name. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2010, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chasing-mummies-oh-mighty-isis-history-channel-has-killed-again/546757/28 "2010-07-15T19:56:19Z")
> [@overlyverbose](#): > > That hack has a reality show? That’s exactly what it is to- it has little to do with archaeology and less to do with history. I wonder how long before somebody comes out or goes into a confessional. You can tell Hawass is eating it up too; I’d thought perhaps this was because he knew hustling for a buck is a regrettable but necessary way to get funding for an expedition, but apparently that’s pretty much his real personality. ---
**Author:** ![ekolk6988](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c5a1d2/32.png) [@ekolk6988](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekolk6988)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2010, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chasing-mummies-oh-mighty-isis-history-channel-has-killed-again/546757/29 "2010-07-18T07:00:44Z")
> [@BobArrgh](#): > > I am totally shocked (SHOCKED!) that the History Channel is showing a series about archaeology. Who do they think they are? > > They just need to bring back my 2012 predictions, Bigfoot and chupacabra sightings, and UFO conspiracy theories, thankyouverymuch. The problem is that Hawass’ show isn’t really about archeology, its really just another melodramatic reality show like “Axmen” or “Ice road truckers.” Sure there is a thin veneer of archeological and historical information being passed to the viewers, but 90% of the show is him being an ass to other, obviously intentionally, dimwitted people. I’m all for bringing the History channel back to real shows about history, but sadly this ain’t one of them. ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2010, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chasing-mummies-oh-mighty-isis-history-channel-has-killed-again/546757/30 "2010-07-18T12:31:11Z")
It’s settled then. I’m going to specifically design my tomb to be camera-crew friendly as possible, but so otherwise uninteresting to scientists or grave robbers as to go undisturbed by anyone but desperate hacks looking for a good filming location. And I’ll have the spooky inner chambers loaded with plutonium dust. (This, of course, involves me having my own royal tomb built in the Egyptian desert for some reason. Details, details.) ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2010, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chasing-mummies-oh-mighty-isis-history-channel-has-killed-again/546757/31 "2010-07-18T14:39:35Z")
Dr. Hawass seemed to me for years to be an enthusiastic supporter of Egyptology who really cared about expanding knowledge on the subject and making accessible to people. And then I started reading stuff about him here. The show last night confirmed what people who are in a position to know have said about him on the board in the last couple of years, that he’s a Class-A douche. ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2010, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chasing-mummies-oh-mighty-isis-history-channel-has-killed-again/546757/32 "2010-07-18T15:16:34Z")
cardouche, surely? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2010, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chasing-mummies-oh-mighty-isis-history-channel-has-killed-again/546757/33 "2010-07-18T15:38:11Z")
Ouch. Only if it spells his name. ---
**Author:** ![Lilacs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Lilacs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lilacs)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2010, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chasing-mummies-oh-mighty-isis-history-channel-has-killed-again/546757/34 "2010-07-18T15:57:42Z")
> [@Turble](#): > > All the scenes felt so contrived, so poorly acted and directed that it was no great surprise when the heavy breathing started and the screen went black and she started squealing “Oh, hep me, hep me. I’m stuck.” > > That was enough for me. I really wish I could find a remote that would automatically change channels at the mention of Hawass. Since that probably won’t happen, I wish him the best of luck and hope he pulls a Nancy Grace and gets his own show / channel – then I can just block it and won’t have to keep my finger on the button to insta-click when he shows up while I’m channel surfing. This is completely how I felt. We watched it up until they raced frantically to the pyramid to free the poor contrived idiot. What? You just take random people into a dig site? And then don’t make sure they come out? I said, “well, I guess she probably doesn’t die. Let’s watch something else now.” It also seemed like Hawass’ primary job is to run around saying, “I don’t have time for this.” ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2010, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chasing-mummies-oh-mighty-isis-history-channel-has-killed-again/546757/35 "2010-07-18T16:01:39Z")
I did like the bit where someone asks, ‘Could the have died?’ Hawass says, ‘Sure. Why not?’ ---
**Author:** ![ekolk6988](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c5a1d2/32.png) [@ekolk6988](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekolk6988)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2010, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chasing-mummies-oh-mighty-isis-history-channel-has-killed-again/546757/36 "2010-07-18T17:22:20Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > I did like the bit where someone asks, ‘Could the have died?’ > > Hawass says, ‘Sure. Why not?’ Yeah that was pretty funny. ---
**Author:** ![pancakes3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ba9def/32.png) [@pancakes3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pancakes3)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2010, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chasing-mummies-oh-mighty-isis-history-channel-has-killed-again/546757/37 "2010-07-18T17:31:53Z")
OTOH, on the history channel now they’re playing Prehistoric Monsters, which is actually really informative and interesting. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2010, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chasing-mummies-oh-mighty-isis-history-channel-has-killed-again/546757/38 "2010-07-18T17:35:02Z")
Maybe someone can get Zahi [started](http://www.memritv.org/report/en/3213.htm) on [the Jews](http://www.memritv.org/clip_transcript/en/2049.htm). That could make the show entertaining. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2010, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chasing-mummies-oh-mighty-isis-history-channel-has-killed-again/546757/39 "2010-07-18T18:17:24Z")
This guy has been a self-promoting asshole of the first degree for over a decade. Seems like reality TV has be about getting people to piss on each other in front of the camera. I saw 2 seconds of a trailer for this, and that’s all I needed to know I wouldn’t be watching. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2010, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chasing-mummies-oh-mighty-isis-history-channel-has-killed-again/546757/40 "2010-07-18T18:39:29Z")
I’d like to make a MILF-hunting porn film called _Chasing Mommies_. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chasing-mummies-oh-mighty-isis-history-channel-has-killed-again/546757.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chasing-mummies-oh-mighty-isis-history-channel-has-killed-again/546757.md?page=3)