# History Channel Sinks To A New Low **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 7, 2003, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-channel-sinks-to-a-new-low/173753 "2003-05-07T20:35:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2003, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-channel-sinks-to-a-new-low/173753/1 "2003-05-07T20:35:13Z")
This afternoon I watched a very well produced documentary about the civil war and President Abraham Lincoln’s **Gettysburg Address**. It moved me almost to tears…but then… They followed it with a piece of **shit** program called **The Ghosts of Gettysburg** which was so contrived and sensationalized it would have been better off having been shown on **Sci-Fi**. It was replete with some guy with a fake English accent, re-creations and another guy who actually “specializes” in the “Ghosts of Gettysburg”. I don’t disbelieve that souls can be caught in the here and the hereafter, but if any civil war spirits caught any of this bullshit program, I bet they laughed their asses off. **History Channel** , you oughta be ashamed! Agree/Disagree? Quasi ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2003, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-channel-sinks-to-a-new-low/173753/2 "2003-05-07T20:39:46Z")
I um, actually like the Haunted History specials. So sue me-I like a good ghost story. Although I do think maybe they could do it more as a “legends and ghost stories of History” or whatever. ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2003, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-channel-sinks-to-a-new-low/173753/3 "2003-05-07T20:44:11Z")
**Guin** : Me too, dear! But this was above and beyond ridiculous. I have seen some very tastefully done **Haunted History** segments, but this was so over the top, it could have been called **Camp**! (Remember that word?:D) Q ---
**Author:** ![Blackeyes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f6c823/32.png) [@Blackeyes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackeyes)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2003, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-channel-sinks-to-a-new-low/173753/4 "2003-05-07T23:24:10Z")
Ever notice the rampant overuse of the phrase, “according to some”? ---
**Author:** ![NoCoolUserName](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5fc32e/32.png) [@NoCoolUserName](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NoCoolUserName)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2003, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-channel-sinks-to-a-new-low/173753/5 "2003-05-07T23:34:18Z")
I remember people telling ghost stories in **Camp** , but I never liked them–too scary! ---
**Author:** ![The\_Mad\_Hermit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b5ac83/32.png) [@The\_Mad\_Hermit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Mad_Hermit)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2003, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-channel-sinks-to-a-new-low/173753/6 "2003-05-08T01:08:16Z")
I went with some friends to the Ghosts of Gettysburg tour of the Seminary. An actress led us around, pointing out sites and describing the ghosts reported there. I enjoyed the walk; I don’t believe in ghosts. A week later, I saw the Ghosts of Gettysburg show on the History Channel, and I recognized the stories from the tour. They were retold verbatim. ---
**Author:** ![Lissa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissa)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2003, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-channel-sinks-to-a-new-low/173753/7 "2003-05-08T02:05:30Z")
I’d give anything to see a ghost. I used to work in a place which is famous around these parts for its ghosts. Dammit, I worked there for a \* year, \* sometimes alone at night! I’ve even stayed in haunted hotels. Did I ever get to see a ghost? Nooooo! God! It’s so unfair! I’ve seen some of the boring people that the ghosts show themselves to on these shows. What’s wrong with me, that’s what I wanna know! I’d even scream and faint, if that’s what the ghost wants, or converse intelligently on the socio-economic impact of neo-colonialism if that’s what made 'em happy. Why are ghosts avoiding me? ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2003, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-channel-sinks-to-a-new-low/173753/8 "2003-05-08T02:34:26Z")
I haven’t liked the History Channel for a while now. Sure, it occasionally has some interesting programs but it’s hard to find them when they’re sandwiched between the millionth rerun of Modern Marvels and yet **another** WWII documentary. What happened to all the mini-series they showed back when they were a relatively new channel? I miss Roman Empire refreshers, damn it! With all that being said, I do admit to liking Mail Call and Conquest. ---
**Author:** ![Payton\_s\_Servant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3da27b/32.png) [@Payton\_s\_Servant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Payton_s_Servant)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2003, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-channel-sinks-to-a-new-low/173753/9 "2003-05-08T03:03:02Z")
All of those _Histories Ghosts and Hauntings_ type of shows should be over on the Sci-Fi channel, not on a channel that is ostensibly supposed to deal in facts and actual evidence, not blind and utterly unfounded speculation. ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2003, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-channel-sinks-to-a-new-low/173753/10 "2003-05-08T03:18:06Z")
Payton, I couldn’t agree more. Children (and some adults) already have trouble distinguishing fact from speculation. It didn’t belong on the History Channel – and certainly not right after a moving documentary on “The Gettysburg Address.” I remain open to the possibility of lingering spirits, but I don’t like for them to be explored on a history channel. ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2003, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-channel-sinks-to-a-new-low/173753/11 "2003-05-08T03:32:57Z")
> [@](#): > > All of those Histories Ghosts and Hauntings type of shows should be over on the Sci-Fi channel, not on a channel that is ostensibly supposed to deal in facts and actual evidence, not blind and utterly unfounded speculation. I disagree, and here’s why. Every time I watch one of these shows, I get prepared to rant and rave. I make sure my righteous indignation level is just right so that I can be appropriately upset at the pandering to the lowest common denominator. And it always disappoints me. Because other than that craptacular _In Search Of_ with Leonard Nemoy and some of the ghost specials (I haven’t seen the one mentioned in te OP), I always find the specials to be more than fair with the scientific explanations. Like it or not, the ghost stories, conspiracy theories, legends (urban and otherwise) _are_ a part of our history. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2003, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-channel-sinks-to-a-new-low/173753/12 "2003-05-08T03:41:37Z")
what **plg** said. Seriously, you get a lot of good stories and such about historical events, told through ghost stories. It’s more about social history. And that’s important. You learn about people, about culture. Ever see the episode of _Haunted History_ where they did ghost ships? That was fascinating. The tale of the Flying Dutchman, etc. Oh, and **Lissa** , I’m with you-I want to see a ghost. Even though I’d probably be terrified. ---
**Author:** ![tracer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tracer/32/20578_2.png) [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2003, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-channel-sinks-to-a-new-low/173753/13 "2003-05-08T05:08:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Lissa \* > **I’d give anything to see a ghost.** It’s easy! Just hook up a conventional antenna to your TV set – you know, like the “rabbit ears” people used to use before everybody got cable and digital-satellite TV. Then, position yourself at a strategic location between a local TV station’s transmitter and a great big reflective wall (e.g. a steep mountainside or a tall building). Finally, tune your TV to said local TV station. You’ll see the picture the station is broadcasting all nice and centered in your screen, and a little bit off to the right of it, you’ll see **another** faint image of the same picture produced by the transmitter’s signal bouncing off the mountainside/building and being picked up by your antenna a second time. Voila! Ghosts! ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2003, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-channel-sinks-to-a-new-low/173753/14 "2003-05-08T12:28:54Z")
The HT stinks! They have cheapened down their shows so much. Take WWII-all they do is show some old footage, then break to some community college history professor yakking away, then off to commercial land! What really amazes me-in a recent show about “Operation Barbarossa” (the German invasion of Russia), they use film footage that was actually taken from the batttle of France! I don’t expect much from the HC anymore-its just another cheesey cable channel, pumping out crap. This is the major problem with cable TV-you are now paying for programming, with MORE commercials than on broadcast TV…plus, the quality is way down. Cable sucks! ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Cheatem\_Undhow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/13edae/32.png) [@Dewey\_Cheatem\_Undhow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Cheatem_Undhow)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2003, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-channel-sinks-to-a-new-low/173753/15 "2003-05-08T13:04:56Z")
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: the existence of _Mail Call_ and _Conquest_ make up for a lot of THC’s shortcomings. ---
**Author:** ![photopat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e95f7d/32.png) [@photopat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/photopat)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2003, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-channel-sinks-to-a-new-low/173753/16 "2003-05-08T16:05:49Z")
I don’t mind the occasional ghost show on History, although I do get irritated when they trot out the “experts” on the paranormal… As plg said, belief in ghosts and the like is part of our history. I just think it would be more interesting if they explored _why_ people have believed for so long and some of the events and situations that may have led to ghost stories. As far as the problem with cable and too many commercials, I’ve yet to see a channel as bad as Comedy Central, where you get 5 minutes of show and 5 minutes of ads. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2003, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-channel-sinks-to-a-new-low/173753/17 "2003-05-08T17:01:19Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Dewey Cheatum Undhow_ > **I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: the existence of Mail Call and Conquest make up for a lot of THC’s shortcomings.** And now PBS is ripping off _Conquest_ with a piece of crap, pseudo-reality show called _Warrier Challenge_. ---
**Author:** ![Blackeyes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f6c823/32.png) [@Blackeyes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackeyes)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2003, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-channel-sinks-to-a-new-low/173753/18 "2003-05-09T00:27:44Z")
Will _Modern Movels_ ever die? That’s an odd thing to say, granted, but they’ve done shows on the pyramids and now they’re on to repeating _Tales of the Gun_. ---
**Author:** ![tracer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tracer/32/20578_2.png) [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2003, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-channel-sinks-to-a-new-low/173753/19 "2003-05-09T02:48:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by BrotherCadfael \* > \*\*And now PBS is ripping off _Conquest_ with a piece of crap, pseudo-reality show called _Warrier Challenge_. \*\* Hey, I kinda **liked** _Warrior Challenge!_ (What I’ve seen of it so far, anyway.)