# History Channel? Bah **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 12, 2010, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-channel-bah/535791 "2010-04-12T00:44:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2010, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-channel-bah/535791/41 "2010-04-20T19:05:33Z")
History Channel premieres a new series tonight: [Ancient Aliens](http://www.history.com/shows/ancient-aliens). My favorite comment about ancient astronauts was from an Egyptologist on a NatGeo documentary who’d apparently been asked that question once too often and said (I’m paraphrasing, but words to the effect of) > [@](#): > > Absolutely, I think thousands of years ago a race of extraterrestrial beings crossed trillions and trillions of miles to come to Earth and looked at the people and said 'What shall we teach them about? Hygiene- that would save a lot of lives… nah. How about astronomy? Well, they couldn’t go anywhere anyway… health, technology, how to make steel or how to cut down on infant mortality or how to cure infection… nah… oh I got it… let’s teach them how to make cartoons of us and put huge stacks of rocks on top of each other! Though perhaps this will lend some credence to my own theory: that the world was created by ancient aliens who came here as pickers but stayed for the logs and icy roads. ---
**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2010, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-channel-bah/535791/42 "2010-04-21T22:42:47Z")
I don’t know anything about this. I’m going to call a buddy of mine who knows all about cable television channels that have stayed true to their original mission. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2010, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-channel-bah/535791/43 "2010-04-22T00:11:40Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Cable tv & satellite gave us over a 100 channels. > That made it possible to have channels devoted to a specific audience. Comedy, Sci-fi, History, Arts etc. > > I don’t understand why these channels don’t embrace their target audience. Because the rule today is that you program to advertisers, not to audiences. The theory seems to be that people are sheep and will watch anything that is promoted heavily enough, but advertisers are smart about the numbers watching. So gradually every ad dollar chases the same audience, and channels have to become more and more alike or risk losing those ad sales. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2010, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-channel-bah/535791/44 "2010-04-22T07:33:52Z")
I find Modern Marvels somewhat interesting. I’ll never watch an episode of Axe Men, but I sincerely hope a tree falls on them. ---
**Author:** ![EvilTOJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee59a6/32.png) [@EvilTOJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EvilTOJ)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2010, 9:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-channel-bah/535791/45 "2010-04-22T09:10:21Z")
I don’t know why I like Deadliest Catch, but loathe all the other shows just like it (Ice Road Truckers, Axe Men, Lobster Wars, Swamp Loggers etc) I don’t know why. Swamp Loggers is extremely boring. Oh hey, some equipment broke in the swamp and they try to fix it. Oh look some equipment broke in the swamp and they try to fix it. Again, some equipment broke in the swamp and they try to fix it. Etc. etc. Yet Deadliest Catch is mainly “oh look they brought up a pot of crab” over and over, but I love it. I can’t explain it. I really wish Discovery would show good shit during the day instead of Overhaulin’ marathons and infomercials. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2010, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-channel-bah/535791/46 "2010-04-22T12:39:43Z")
Every once in a while they show something that, by rising to mediocrity, highlights how bad the rest of it is. They did a take on Sun Tzu’s Art of War, analyzing several historical campaigns (Sun Tzu’s own campaign, albeit of questionable historical veracity; D-Day; Lee’s Gettysburg campaign, and VietNam’s Tet Offensive) to see where they were congruent with Sun Tzu’s advice, where they were not, and how those decisions worked out for them. The program even admitted that Sun Tzu may be more than one author or a largely fictional construct. The battle analysis was tolerable, too, for popular television. All in all it may not have been “all that,” but it was definitely “and a bag of chips,” because that’s how I spent an afternoon (with salsa, of course). I’d be happy if they’d do a few more like that. Slightly schlocky, but at least they put some effort into it. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2010, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-channel-bah/535791/47 "2010-04-22T17:53:03Z")
I like **Pawn Stars**. It’s entertaining and has at least _some_ content of a historical nature. **Axe Men** not so much. ---
**Author:** ![LawMonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@LawMonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LawMonkey)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2010, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-channel-bah/535791/48 "2010-04-22T22:29:57Z")
They do have that whole “America: The Story of Us” thing coming up this weekend. I figure I’ll give it a shot for at least an episode or two, if I can remember to program the DVR. This [review](http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/tv-reviews/america-the-story-of-us-tv-review-1004084694.story) over at the Hollywood Reporter is moderately encouraging, though it’s apparently peppered with celebrity cameos–including somebody from Pawn Stars, no less. [QUOTE=The Hollywood Reporter] Given how little Ann Coulter or Al Sharpton contribute to the understanding of contemporary issues, it seems a colossal waste of time to have them ruminate about the past. Others with seemingly nothing but a name to lend to this project include Donald Trump, Sean Combs, George Lopez and Richard Harrison of History’s “Pawn Stars.” It’s enough to make one wonder whether Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian weren’t available? [/QUOTE] ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2010, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-channel-bah/535791/49 "2010-04-22T22:44:50Z")
Interesting historical programming is expensive, in the final days of _when_ they could still call themselves The History Channel with a straight face they showed WWII back to back. It had generaic appeal among Americans and most importantly WWII stock footage is free. Just get an hold guy with a PhD to talk about the event then splice in a Messerschmitt getting shot down. The BBC has lots of good history stuff but thats paid for by Brit TV taxes…so thanks for the good shit Limeys! ---
**Author:** ![srzss05](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/898d66/32.png) [@srzss05](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/srzss05)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2010, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-channel-bah/535791/50 "2010-04-22T22:59:33Z")
> [@John\_DiFool](#): > > Hmm…why isn’t there an anime channel here in the US (at least)? [Funimation Channel](http://www.funimationchannel.com/) Anime Network (ADV Films) was also available until last year. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2010, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-channel-bah/535791/51 "2010-04-22T23:24:32Z")
> [@LawMonkey](#): > > … though it’s apparently peppered with celebrity cameos–including somebody from Pawn Stars, no less. “To fully understand the Crédit Mobilier scandal and how it affected the legacy of the Grant Administration we went to Reconstruction era America expert [Chumlee](http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/70/l_a79419cf488f41ce846a33aea3cf8207.jpg)…”. (At least [Big Hoss](http://media.monstersandcritics.com/articles2/1487924/article_images/corey_pawn.jpg)could do a pretty decent reenactment in the [Fatty Arbuckle](http://www.goldensilents.com/comedy/fattyarbuckle.jpg)scandal.) ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2010, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-channel-bah/535791/52 "2010-04-26T16:45:40Z")
> [@LawMonkey](#): > > They do have that whole “America: The Story of Us” thing coming up this weekend. I figure I’ll give it a shot for at least an episode or two, if I can remember to program the DVR. This [review](http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/tv-reviews/america-the-story-of-us-tv-review-1004084694.story) over at the Hollywood Reporter is moderately encouraging, though it’s apparently peppered with celebrity cameos–including somebody from Pawn Stars, no less. Anyone give it a shot? I was moderately disappointed – it felt like a very shallow treatment, almost like seeing an 8th grade social studies textbook brought to life. I know they’d never get past 1800 AD if they dwelled on everything but stuff like leaving out the French-Indian War made me raise an eyebrow. It also (harkening back to the text book thing) seemed overly jingoistic. “Then the Founding Fathers got together and all decided to fight for revolution because those jerk British were taxing us!” :dubious: Yeah, it was exactly that easy… On the plus side, my 11 year old son sat through two hours of it without looking bored or anxious to leave the room so, on that account, it was a home run. He can learn the gritty details of the Continental Congress later. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2010, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-channel-bah/535791/53 "2010-04-26T17:25:26Z")
I liked it. I also loved WWII in HD. Other than that, I’m forced to agree with the OP. ---
**Author:** ![Jolly\_Roger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/91b2a8/32.png) [@Jolly\_Roger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jolly_Roger)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2010, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-channel-bah/535791/54 "2010-04-26T19:18:24Z")
> [@LawMonkey](#): > > They do have that whole “America: The Story of Us” thing coming up this weekend. I figure I’ll give it a shot for at least an episode or two, if I can remember to program the DVR. This [review](http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/tv-reviews/america-the-story-of-us-tv-review-1004084694.story) over at the Hollywood Reporter is moderately encouraging, though it’s apparently peppered with celebrity cameos–including somebody from Pawn Stars, no less. I thought about watching it, but decided “no thanks”. Why? Why is it on a freaking 9 PM on sunday night? Most of the day the had back to back to back episodes of Pawn Stars and American Pickers! I quit. After all, they’ll just show AtSoU on Sunday morning or something next week. Someone out there may like those shows but I can’t stand them. All day sunday you could watch 4 fat guys trying to make money or a fat guy and an excitable skinny guy buy junk from hillbillies. Its Hysterical (in a sad way) not historical. ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2010, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-channel-bah/535791/55 "2010-04-26T21:15:43Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > Anyone give it a shot? > > I was moderately disappointed – it felt like a very shallow treatment, almost like seeing an 8th grade social studies textbook brought to life. I know they’d never get past 1800 AD if they dwelled on everything but stuff like leaving out the French-Indian War made me raise an eyebrow. It also (harkening back to the text book thing) seemed overly jingoistic. “Then the Founding Fathers got together and all decided to fight for revolution because those jerk British were taxing us!” :dubious: Yeah, it was exactly that easy… > > On the plus side, my 11 year old son sat through two hours of it without looking bored or anxious to leave the room so, on that account, it was a home run. He can learn the gritty details of the Continental Congress later. Yes, it was very shallow, but what really annoyed me was the camera work. I believe it was MST3K that came up with the term “Zapruder-vision.” Watching two hours of shakily framed torsos and half-faces filmed through the crook of someone’s elbow gets noxious really fast. Also, the soundtrack was blasting loud enough to drown out the narration. Plus it groaned and huffed and snarled ominously, no matter what was on the screen. “Oh, look, Washington’s introducing Von Steuben to the troops..” Cue terrifying crashes and bangs in the background. Thumbs down from me. ---
**Author:** ![SaharaTea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@SaharaTea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SaharaTea)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2010, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-channel-bah/535791/56 "2010-04-26T21:19:23Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > Anyone give it a shot? > > I was moderately disappointed – it felt like a very shallow treatment, almost like seeing an 8th grade social studies textbook brought to life. I know they’d never get past 1800 AD if they dwelled on everything but stuff like leaving out the French-Indian War made me raise an eyebrow. It also (harkening back to the text book thing) seemed overly jingoistic. “Then the Founding Fathers got together and all decided to fight for revolution because those jerk British were taxing us!” :dubious: Yeah, it was exactly that easy… I only watched the first half hour but I had the same reaction. They started off with Jamestown and the Mayflower, then completely skipped over about 150 years to the Boston Massacre. There was no examination of the different Native American cultures already living here besides a cursory mention of how they helped or didn’t help the English. I knew it was gonna be really bad when Donald Trump showed up to comment about five minutes in. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2010, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-channel-bah/535791/57 "2010-04-26T21:45:57Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > I was moderately disappointed – it felt like a very shallow treatment… When Brian Williams and Donald Trump are your talking heads, you _know_ the show’s in trouble. ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2010, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-channel-bah/535791/58 "2010-04-26T21:48:24Z")
> [@Jolly\_Roger](#): > > All day sunday you could watch 4 fat guys trying to make money or a fat guy and an excitable skinny guy buy junk from hillbillies. Its Hysterical (in a sad way) not historical. Yeah, kind of depressing that they have two shows based on swindling people out of their collectibles. ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2010, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-channel-bah/535791/59 "2010-04-26T21:56:13Z")
> [@spoke-](#): > > Yeah, kind of depressing that they have two shows based on swindling people out of their collectibles. Well, that is a loose description of world history ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2010, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-channel-bah/535791/60 "2010-04-26T23:00:39Z")
> [@Slithy\_Tove](#): > > Well, that is a loose description of world history True, but I prefer a less metaphorical approach to history. 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-channel-bah/535791.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-channel-bah/535791.md?page=4)