# "History Detectives" on PBS **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 14, 2003, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-detectives-on-pbs/188363 "2003-07-14T13:12:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Neidhart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Neidhart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neidhart)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2003, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-detectives-on-pbs/188363/21 "2003-07-15T01:40:53Z")
Seems somewhat “dumbed down”. I could have researched that stadium thing myself (had I cared.) ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2003, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-detectives-on-pbs/188363/22 "2003-07-15T02:22:30Z")
_Hated_ the Parkman murder show (“Now I knew enough about them to start putting words in their mouths”), but this Thaw/White one is pretty good. And wasn’t Evelyn Nesbit the berries? ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2003, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-detectives-on-pbs/188363/23 "2003-07-15T02:42:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by stuyguy \* > \*\*As for why none of my ideas got picked, the show’s producers wanted cases that 1. involved a tangible object (a photo, artifact, document, etc.), and 2. could reasonably be “solved” with the application of historical and scientific research. \*\* Hmm…maybe they could help with my SO’s sword. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2003, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-detectives-on-pbs/188363/24 "2003-07-15T02:47:43Z")
I love the use of contemporary music, photos, drawings and film clips in the Thaw/White show. But I’m amazed they missed out on a great quote. Evelyn Nesbit said years later, “Stanny was the lucky one. I _lived_.” ---
**Author:** ![YPOD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/e99b99/32.png) [@YPOD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YPOD)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2003, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-detectives-on-pbs/188363/25 "2003-07-15T03:31:46Z")
boring, boring, boring. Solving the mystery of how the ball field got the name? the mystery? No real historians, but auctioneers, appraisers? give me a break. ---
**Author:** ![stuyguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@stuyguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stuyguy)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2003, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-detectives-on-pbs/188363/26 "2003-07-15T03:58:57Z")
Personally I like the homespun nature of the “mysteries” – though the ballpark business was quite weak. I was disappointed by the production “tricks” and scripting. All that jump cutting, and flash framing is fine if the video is rockin’, but it’s downright gratuitous if you’re explaining how to spot a forged autograph. And what’s with all the backpedalling in the script? They recapped the action of each case like four times before they get to the end. Guys, I can remember what happened, after all the show started, like, TEN MINUTES AGO! Shut up with the recap and get on with it! Oh one more complaint. They do a lot of half-baked speculating to cover their holes. For example, they say the firehouse book signature is genuine but the date is bogus. Well, that’s one theory. What if Nast took the book to Washington and Grant signed it there on the Fourth of July? That – or a hundred other equally feasible theories – fit the facts too. The ballpark segment was equally speculative. Okay the senator guy was a vote-hungry boss, but there could be thousand other more definative reasons he built the park. OTOH, I thought the clay-head mystery lived up to the full potential of the show. ---
**Author:** ![Michael\_Ellis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/977dab/32.png) [@Michael\_Ellis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Michael_Ellis)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2003, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-detectives-on-pbs/188363/27 "2003-07-15T04:27:14Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by stuyguy \* > \*\*OTOH, I thought the clay-head mystery lived up to the full potential of the show. \*\* And the girl presenting that segment was cute too. ---
**Author:** ![Michael\_Ellis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/977dab/32.png) [@Michael\_Ellis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Michael_Ellis)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2003, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-detectives-on-pbs/188363/28 "2003-07-15T04:31:01Z")
Come to think of it, I found an old British coin in Ireland once. I mentioned it in some other thread. ---
**Author:** ![stuyguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@stuyguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stuyguy)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2003, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-detectives-on-pbs/188363/29 "2003-07-15T04:51:51Z")
One teensy-weensy piece of constructive criticism, Eve, my sweet, regarding your last post. I think the word you want is “contemporaneous,” not “contemporary.” Big difference, especially if you write about historical topics, like some of us (cough, cough). ---
**Author:** ![Lissa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissa)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2003, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-detectives-on-pbs/188363/30 "2003-07-15T05:58:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by YPOD \* > \*\*No real historians, but auctioneers, appraisers? give me a break. \*\* In their defense, sometimes auctioneers and appraisers can be true experts in their fields. After all, their monetary successes depend on them knowing their subject intimately, and they have an uncanny eye for fakes which can fool even respected historians. I work in a museum, and I can tell you from personal experience how helpful these people can be. Southeby’s was kind enough to help us out with the identification and authentication of a painting in our collection. Antiques dealers who specialize in certain kinds of artifacts give us invaluable information when we’re stumped. No historian is an expert in all areas. Often, when an artifact is somewhat obscure, it’s hard to find a “certified historian” who knows enough to be helpful in a given situation. Help can come from unusual sources. Just as an example, there’s an auto mechanic that we consult on occasion because the man is a true expert in flint-knapping techniques. Some people may not have educational credentials, but they’ve spent a lifetime studying a particular area of history. It would be foolish to discount them and their insights simply because they don’t have a degree. ---
**Author:** ![Trion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ccd318/32.png) [@Trion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trion)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2003, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-detectives-on-pbs/188363/31 "2003-07-15T12:20:05Z")
I liked it OK. The first two mysteries were not bad with the stone head being pretty interesting. But the baseball field was dull. And did anyone else get the impression that we were supposed to be outraged (outraged!) by the whole thing? Seems to me that the senator was smart enough to recognize a new political force in the city, so he built a park that the African-American community could be proud of. Anyway, I’ll watch again tonight. Also… > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Eve \* > \*\*_Hated_ the Parkman murder show (“Now I knew enough about them to start putting words in their mouths”),… \*\* Ain’t it the truth. But what annoyed me even more was how they kept having these historians pop in to say: “You know, the worst thing a historian can do is put words in the mouths of his subjects.” Hey guys! This does not absolve you of the fact that you are _putting words in the mouths of your subjects!_ Cut it out! Me want facts! ---
**Author:** ![Wumpus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8c91f0/32.png) [@Wumpus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wumpus)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2003, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-detectives-on-pbs/188363/32 "2003-07-15T13:07:37Z")
Either “contemporary” or “contemporaneous” is correct in Eve’s sentence, BTW. Granted, “contemporary” has an additional potential meaning of “modern, current,” but it was clear in context which meaning was meant. At least if you’re paying attention (cough, cough). 😉 ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2003, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-detectives-on-pbs/188363/33 "2003-07-16T01:58:25Z")
The local PBS station showed episode 2 tonight (tuesday). I had more personal connection–2 of the segments were Wisconsin related, the other had to do with Sears Homes. (I lived in a crescent [http://architecture.about.com/library/nbungalowplan-s-3086-crescent.htm](http://architecture.about.com/library/nbungalowplan-s-3086-crescent.htm) now my sister’s cottage) Brian ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2003, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-detectives-on-pbs/188363/34 "2003-07-16T02:03:35Z")
OK, the MTV editing and Cool Theme Song are beginning to greate on me. I think the show would be much better at a half-hour, with two 15-minute segments. ---
**Author:** ![TelcontarStorm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3ab097/32.png) [@TelcontarStorm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TelcontarStorm)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2003, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-detectives-on-pbs/188363/35 "2003-07-16T16:04:20Z")
After 2 nights of this show, I get the feeling it _should_ be on cable. Don’t ask me to explain why but it just feels so cheezy. The bit about the Sears Houses was actually pretty interesting, but so far the rest have bored me. (I actually missed NOVA last night and wished PBS had put it on anyhow.) I’m waiting a segment that dosn’t feel like someone is showing off. At this point it has nothing to do but get better. ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2003, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-detectives-on-pbs/188363/36 "2003-07-16T16:26:50Z")
I liked the Bonnie & Clyde segment (_cool_ gory photos!). But the editing and direction are—well, you’re right, cheesy. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2003, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-detectives-on-pbs/188363/37 "2003-07-16T22:23:45Z")
i liked the sears home and movie theatr parts last night. i turn the channel on the bonnie and clyde segment. ---
**Author:** ![stuyguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@stuyguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stuyguy)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2003, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-detectives-on-pbs/188363/38 "2003-07-17T00:55:03Z")
Enough with the Afro-pandering! So far the two segments related to African-American history have been the lamest and most speculative in the series. I can just see them at the production team meetings shoehorning those two in there because “We can’t ignore A-A history!” “But,” says someone else, “those cases suck!” “Too bad. They’ll cream us if we don’t include _something_ related to A-A history. The segments stay.” Good God, what a waste of videotape and my time. ---
**Author:** ![TelcontarStorm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3ab097/32.png) [@TelcontarStorm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TelcontarStorm)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2003, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-detectives-on-pbs/188363/39 "2003-07-17T15:47:05Z")
3rd episode was the best of the lot. The bit on the whaling ship being the best of them all. What is so uncon-frikkin’-ceviable about a bunch of gals getting together to play a good game of rugby? My Grandmother had 5 brothers, and I have no doubt she got in there and bashed them good. And how in the name of gawd, does a picture puzze become a statement about womens rights? Keep your speculation of modivations out of it, IMO ya lost alot of your credibility on that move ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2003, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-detectives-on-pbs/188363/40 "2003-07-17T15:56:57Z")
I knew from the moment I saw that jigsaw puzzle that it was a pin-up. Anything from that era showing that much leg was not going to be “feminist.” My favorite is still the “historian” in the first ep. who saw the little face carving and thought it was a natural formation. It had _lips, eyes and nostrils_. So far, there’s always been just one segment per ep. that interests me: the little face; Bonnie & Clyde; and the witch’s house. I still think the sbow would work better at a half-hour, with two 15-minute segments: and _less_ MTV editing and Cool Music. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-detectives-on-pbs/188363.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/history-detectives-on-pbs/188363.md?page=3)