# The History Channel has no Credibility **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 27, 2001, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-history-channel-has-no-credibility/90027 "2001-10-27T23:29:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Spanky\_The\_Dolphin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@Spanky\_The\_Dolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spanky_The_Dolphin)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2001, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-history-channel-has-no-credibility/90027/21 "2001-10-29T05:46:23Z")
What’s up with that “In Search Of…” Amityville episode? I saw it over summer vacation this year, and I thought they made it overly creepy. That one part where they showed the doll in the girl’s room was the worst. The lights are on, and you just see it sitting there. Then they turn the lights off, and these bright fucking red eyes appear in the darkness!! If a 19-year-old male can be somewhat creeped out by that, I can’t imagine what some 5-year-old back in the late 70s, early 80s thought of that. ---
**Author:** ![Doc\_Nickel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5fc32e/32.png) [@Doc\_Nickel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doc_Nickel)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2001, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-history-channel-has-no-credibility/90027/22 "2001-10-29T06:01:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SPOOFE \* > \*\*If you’re tired of the History Channel, you can always go watch Fox and get some real, down-to-Earth, accurate information. \*\* -Like the Simpsons? [Homer] “What’s not to learn? Mice are funny, cats are made out of glass… It’s a whole learning experience.” [/Homer] 😃 ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2001, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-history-channel-has-no-credibility/90027/23 "2001-10-29T06:02:32Z")
Wait, are we bitching about the Histories Mysteries Amityville Horror or the In Search of…Amityville Horror? Because there is a very distinct difference between the two. ---
**Author:** ![Kricket](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f14d63/32.png) [@Kricket](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kricket)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2001, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-history-channel-has-no-credibility/90027/24 "2001-10-29T12:35:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by abuse angel \* > \*\*hey, nifty, kricket. i, too, am related to those famous fueding families. i don’t know which side, though, and have no way to find out as no one from that side of my family is alive. > > so, to avoid getting shot, i’ll just assume that you and i are distant cousins. 😉 \*\* Funny thing is that you probably aren’t too far off with that one. See, there was a whole Romeo and Juliet thing that happened. Ah, the forbiden love of a young Hatfield boy and a younger McCoy girl. They did get married, and IIRC she died in childbirth with either the first or second child. My husband swear that it is my hillbilly blood that makes me hate wearing shoes. Okay, no more hijacking, so if you ever want to know more either e-mail me or IM me. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2001, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-history-channel-has-no-credibility/90027/25 "2001-10-29T13:43:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Wendell Wagner \* > \*\*Sam Stone writes: > > \> PBS is absolutely no better. In fact, “In Search Of…” > \> runs regularly on our local PBS station, and it has also > \> shown the very same Bauval and Hancock > \> Egypt ‘documentaries’ that regularly air on TLC and > \> Discovery. > > Wait a minute. According to your profile you’re Canadian. How are you able to watch PBS? I suppose that you’re watching whatever PBS station is closest to you.\*\* In Canada we have this thing called “Cable.” It’s really amazing. They lay this coaxial wire into your hours and you pay a company every month, and they pipe TV channels straight into your set. We get dozens and dozens of U.S. channels and you don’t even need rabbit ears! Some Canadians even have something called “satellite.” Television signals come to your set through this round thing you nail to your roof. The work of Satan, I tell you. ---
**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:** [October 29, 2001, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-history-channel-has-no-credibility/90027/26 "2001-10-29T14:17:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Kricket \* > Funny thing is that you probably aren’t too far off with that one. > See, there was a whole Romeo and Juliet thing that happened. Ah, the forbiden love of a young Hatfield boy and a younger McCoy girl. > They did get married, and IIRC she died in childbirth with either the first or second child. No. Roseanna McCoy and Jonus Hatfield were cohabitating with the Hatfields during her pregnancy, because Jonus was under age and his father wouldn’t allow the marriage (but he would allow him to “live in sin”, go figure). Roseanna’s family came and brought her home, while she was pregnant. She gave birth to a daughter, who died of typhoid, or cholera, or something like that as a toddler-I believe Roseanna died a year later-I don’t remember the exact cause. After Roseanna had left the Hatfield home, Jonus took up with Roseanna’s cousin, whom he married, but later cheated on her with another cousin. Roseanna and Jonus were never married. Their running off together on Election Day was merely the breaking point-the Hatfields and McCoys had been fighting already…I guess I’ll look it up. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2001, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-history-channel-has-no-credibility/90027/27 "2001-10-29T15:47:54Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Guinastasia \* > \*\* > Roseanna and Jonus were never married. Their running off together on Election Day was merely the breaking point-the Hatfields and McCoys had been fighting already…I guess I’ll look it up. \*\* Well, the “first shot” was probably the murder of Asa Harmon McCoy, Randolph McCoy’s brother. Asa had enlisted in the Union army and served for 11 months, till he was discharged with a broken leg around Christmas, 1864. When he got home, he was threatened by the Logan Wildcats, who were were a Confederate millitia/bandit/home guard group, and led by Devil Anse Hatfield. After a visit by Jim Vance, Hatfield’s uncle, and another member of the Wildcats, Asa went to hide in a cave. The Wildcats followed Asa’s slave Pete, who was going to him with supplies, and shot Asa. Things quieted down until 1878, when Randall McCoy accused Floyd Hatfield of stealing one of his hogs. Randall then went to the Justice of the Peace, Rev. Anderson Hatfield. “Deacon” Hatfield, as he was nicknamed empaneled a jury of 6 Hatfields and 6 McCoys. During the trial, Bill Staton, who was a nephew of Randall’s, and had married Ellison Hatfield, swore that the hog was Floyd’s. The jury was deadlocked until Selkirk McCoy, Randall’s cousin, voted for Floyd Hatfield. Randall then swore vengence on Bill Staton and Selkirk McCoy. Not too long after that, Sam and Paris McCoy, nephews of Randall, were hunting in the woods, when they came across Bill Staton, who thought they were trying to kill him, so he shot at them. An altercation resulted, and Paris killed Staton. A Hatfield jury, at the urging of Devil Ance, who was trying to keep the peace, found Paris not guilty by reason of self defense. Then came the incident with Rosanne and Jonus. Actually, Rosanne was older than Jonus. She was 19, he was 18. They lived together in Hatfield’s house until Randolph McCoy, her father, took her away and sent her to live with her Aunt Betty. It was probably then that Jonus got her pregnant. Rosanne actually lived until she was 30, but she was ill for most of her life. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2001, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-history-channel-has-no-credibility/90027/28 "2001-10-29T16:08:45Z")
Yes, \* China Beach \* was shameful but you must admit they did try and make up for it with _Baa Baa Black Sheep_. I can’t believe more of that footage wasn’t used in \*Tora Tora Tora \*. ---
**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:** [October 29, 2001, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-history-channel-has-no-credibility/90027/29 "2001-10-29T17:53:21Z")
Let’s not forget that THC and Sam Waterston have been promoting the [Ring around the Rosie](http://www.snopes.com/language/literary/rosie.htm) UL. Even their more mainstream documentary shows sometimes get the facts wrong. For example, their shows that feature a discussion of the Jeep (e.g.: **Automobiles** ) say that the vehicle was designed by Willys. _Wrong!_ The winner of the design contest was American Bantam but that company was on the verge of bankruptcy and did not have to facilities to mass produce their design. Their design was also a bit underpowered. Willys had a better engine and could mass produce, so they won the initial contract to bulid Bantam’s design. ---
**Author:** ![Poonther](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Poonther](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poonther)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2001, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-history-channel-has-no-credibility/90027/30 "2001-10-29T19:32:53Z")
The History Channel…even the name of the channel is a joke. It should be called “The American/European War Channel” because three-quarters of the shows are about wars that involved the U.S.A. or European countries. Hmmmmmmmm or is that because three quarters of the U.S.A. and Europe’s history is about being involved in some war? Do they ever show history stuff concerning Africa and Asia history that doesn’t involve a connection to the U.S? ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2001, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-history-channel-has-no-credibility/90027/31 "2001-10-29T20:05:33Z")
i always thought the little “H” in the corner stood for “The Hitler Channel” since about 90% of the content has to do with him and his minions. P.S.-- maybe you guys can convince them to make a little Holloween special featuring the Hatfield and McCoy ghosts-- they can call it “Haunted Hillbilly History” (one can only guess how they will manage to weave Hitler into this story…) ---
**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:** [October 29, 2001, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-history-channel-has-no-credibility/90027/32 "2001-10-29T20:07:42Z")
Come to think of it, the only times I recall Africa or Asia mentioned involve WWII (e.g.: The North Africa campaign and the Bataan Death March) or something that involves gunpowder the origin of gunpowder and/or fireworks. ---
**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:** [October 29, 2001, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-history-channel-has-no-credibility/90027/33 "2001-10-29T20:12:30Z")
OK, where’s the gremlins that keep messing up my posts? And how’d they get here in the first place? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![FallenAngel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@FallenAngel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FallenAngel)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2001, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-history-channel-has-no-credibility/90027/34 "2001-10-29T21:00:23Z")
In the interests of full disclosure, I don’t have cable and have only seen a few programs on THC; so this is not a blanket defense by any means. One of the programs I did see, though, was a couple of years ago. It was an hour long history of the Enfield rifle. Since I love Enfields and count mine as one of my prized possessions, I was riveted. I also found their story to be highly accurate, down to the flaws that plagued the first and second generation of the rifle and some of the really innovate solutions Enfield came up with to solve them. While there may be a heaping lot of crap on the channel, and apparently there is, any channel that could and would put that hour together may just not be completely beyond redemption. ---
**Author:** ![Sofa\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/58956e/32.png) [@Sofa\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sofa_King)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2001, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-history-channel-has-no-credibility/90027/35 "2001-10-29T21:35:18Z")
That’s the one thing I miss from cable television: the Hitler and Lizard channels. I hear that “Jackass” is pretty cool, too. ---
**Author:** ![pldennison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9fc29f/32.png) [@pldennison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pldennison)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2001, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-history-channel-has-no-credibility/90027/36 "2001-10-29T21:50:12Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Doc Nickel \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by SPOOFE \* > > \*\*If you’re tired of the History Channel, you can always go watch Fox and get some real, down-to-Earth, accurate information. \*\* > > -Like the Simpsons? > > [Homer] > “What’s not to learn? Mice are funny, cats are made out of glass… It’s a whole learning experience.” > [/Homer] > > 😃 \*\* And even more appropriate: “Ah, the Luftwaffe! The Washington Generals of the History Channel!” ---
**Author:** ![NothingMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b77776/32.png) [@NothingMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NothingMan)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2001, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-history-channel-has-no-credibility/90027/37 "2001-10-30T00:11:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Chupacabra \* > \*\*on THC (interesting acronym!) \*\* Believe me there is a very good reason why that acronym is so appropriate ! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![kniz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@kniz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kniz)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2001, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-history-channel-has-no-credibility/90027/38 "2001-10-30T04:06:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Poonther \* > Do they ever show history stuff concerning Africa and Asia history that doesn’t involve a connection to the U.S? Don’t get upset, because I’m counting myself in on this. I haven’t looked but what all of us pay for the History Channel is very little. If we’d pay something like we do for HBO or ShowTime then this criticism would be deserved. With that kind of money they could make shows about Africa and Asia. Instead, what they do is use shows that have already been produced, which means mostly U.S. material about WWII in Europe. ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2001, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-history-channel-has-no-credibility/90027/39 "2001-10-30T04:26:39Z")
I think you’re all forgetting History Channel International. ---
**Author:** ![Kricket](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f14d63/32.png) [@Kricket](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kricket)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2001, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-history-channel-has-no-credibility/90027/40 "2001-10-30T05:17:06Z")
Darn it all, now I am going to have to sift through all my paper work and refresh my memory. Haven’t done that in a few years when my mom asked me to scan it all to disk. My grandfather has all the original clippings and such, but won’t hand them over. He got them when my granny died. That woman had some stories! But, she died about 20 years ago at the age of 94. The only woman I have ever known to smoke a pipe. And lord was that woman set in her ways! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-history-channel-has-no-credibility/90027.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-history-channel-has-no-credibility/90027.md?page=3)