# What do you think of The History Channel? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 18, 2003, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-the-history-channel/155907 "2003-02-18T16:24:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2003, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-the-history-channel/155907/21 "2003-02-19T03:36:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Balle\_M \* > \*\*I do like the History Channel, but is there some Federal law mandating any mention of the Luftwaffe must be accompanied with “Ride of the Valkyries”? \*\* Well, they could always replace it with “Sweet Georgia Brown” “Ahh, the Luftwaffe. The Washington Generals of the History Channel.” --Homer Simpson ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2003, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-the-history-channel/155907/22 "2003-02-19T13:23:28Z")
[Luftwaffe](http://www.unitedmedia.com/comics/pearls/archive/pearls-20030216.html) ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2003, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-the-history-channel/155907/23 "2003-02-19T15:21:33Z")
I have to say that about 60% of it’s shows are about the military in some way. But many of its best shows are not about the military at all. There’s the already mentioned Modern Marvels, Hands on History, The Founding Fathers (of course the Revolutionary War is mentioned, but it is really about how The First Dads-- their lives, foibles and interactions.), The Most (does anyone know how accurate these “mosts” are? Some of these are too good to be true.) The YX Factor (which I didn’t see-- damnit!). And many more. I have a question because I think I’m gettng a little confused: America’s Castles and American Justice-- is this The History Channel or A&E? ---
**Author:** ![Azael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a8b319/32.png) [@Azael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Azael)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2003, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-the-history-channel/155907/24 "2003-02-19T15:37:05Z")
I love the history channel… Yet I get the feeling that while I keep hearing about the same things I never really learn much about them. The History Channel isn’t very good on depth methinks, I think I would enjoy it a lot more if it were. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2003, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-the-history-channel/155907/25 "2003-02-19T15:47:05Z")
I get pretty damn sick of the WWII footage. Same fuckin’ thing all the time. My husband and I argue about it a lot, actually. Some stuff is interesting, but I’m up to “here” with WWII. War’s over, babe! Punch out! ---
**Author:** ![Agrippina](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8797f3/32.png) [@Agrippina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agrippina)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2003, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-the-history-channel/155907/26 "2003-02-19T22:28:42Z")
Did anybody else love “History’s Lost and Found”? I don’t think they even show it anymore, except for rare instances on a Saturday or something. I also liked “This Week in History” when it didn’t have a theme. ---
**Author:** ![Atreyu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5e9695/32.png) [@Atreyu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atreyu)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2003, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-the-history-channel/155907/27 "2003-02-19T22:53:58Z")
I like the History Channel, and I like the History Channel International even more. I agree that the WWII stuff is overdone on the History Channel. But they _do_ have some rather neat programs on there. “History’s Mysteries” is often good, as is “Secrets from the Ancient World”, and “Modern Marvels.” Recently they aired the series “A History of Britain”, which I enjoyed thoroughly. Despite all this, I think the History International Channel is still better, simply because of the greater variety. ---
**Author:** ![andymurph64](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a88e57/32.png) [@andymurph64](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andymurph64)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2003, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-the-history-channel/155907/28 "2003-02-19T23:14:26Z")
Have I mentioned ‘Conquest’? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2003, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-the-history-channel/155907/29 "2003-02-20T00:07:07Z")
I hate that “conquest” guy for some reason. Must be genetic. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Blackeyes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f6c823/32.png) [@Blackeyes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackeyes)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2003, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-the-history-channel/155907/30 "2003-02-20T02:07:24Z")
Oh, another criticisim: The History Channel’s daytime programming sucks. Sheesh, there’s nothing on then, it’s all boring crap. ---
**Author:** ![Hermann\_Cheruscan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b782af/32.png) [@Hermann\_Cheruscan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hermann_Cheruscan)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2003, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-the-history-channel/155907/31 "2003-02-20T03:06:29Z")
I really like the History Channel. It’s better than most of the other crap on television. ---
**Author:** ![Banger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@Banger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banger)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2003, 8:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-the-history-channel/155907/32 "2003-02-20T08:50:00Z")
They should have more shows on history prior to the 20th/21st( :eek: ) centuries. I enjoy shows about ancient empires (Greek, Roman, Chinese, Aztec, Mayan, Egyptian etc.), even more ancient civilizations throughout the world, the Middle Ages in Europe, and histories of religions. ---
**Author:** ![smiling\_bandit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2003, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-the-history-channel/155907/33 "2003-02-20T13:41:03Z")
I really love the “Conquest” series. I mean, its not always accurate, but the idea that your going not only to show old pictures of tapestries and a few cheap shots of a knight on horseback, but actually get a bunch of semi-trained men to demonstrate the techniques and fighting styles and act out various fights is pretty cool, and makes it a lot more interesting. ---
**Author:** ![elf6c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c57346/32.png) [@elf6c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elf6c)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2003, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-the-history-channel/155907/34 "2003-02-20T13:52:29Z")
They biggest problem is budget based. They simply don’t have the money of other channels. That being said, I love the History Channel-- its one of the “big three” along with the Discovery Channel and TLC that almost always has something good on. And it was used for a good Simpsons joke: Homer: Ah the Luffewaffe, the Washington Generals of the History Channel. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![elf6c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c57346/32.png) [@elf6c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elf6c)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2003, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-the-history-channel/155907/35 "2003-02-20T13:56:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Sublight \* > \*\*Well, they could always replace it with “Sweet Georgia Brown” > > “Ahh, the Luftwaffe. The Washington Generals of the History Channel.” --Homer Simpson \*\* Doah! I guess great minds think alike, and suchforth . . . 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![MSU\_1978](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac8455/32.png) [@MSU\_1978](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MSU_1978)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2003, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-the-history-channel/155907/36 "2003-02-20T14:35:52Z")
In general, it’s a great channel. The big problem is lack of material and the occasional lack of selectivity. Airing the JFK conspiracy series was a low point (what the heck was Roger Mudd doing hosting that crap?). This isn’t much different than the Discovery Channel airing pseudo-science such as Loch Ness monster searches or spontaneous human combustion. ---
**Author:** ![Miss\_Mapp](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miss_mapp/32/369_2.png) [@Miss\_Mapp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Mapp)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2003, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-the-history-channel/155907/37 "2003-02-20T14:50:16Z")
I used to like it when they showed history-based movies and, in the breaks, had a historian in that particular area talk about how accurate or inaccurate the film was. They don’t do that anymore, do they? ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2003, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-the-history-channel/155907/38 "2003-02-20T15:23:54Z")
Movies In Time. That is/was cool. ---
**Author:** ![andymurph64](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a88e57/32.png) [@andymurph64](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andymurph64)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2003, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-the-history-channel/155907/39 "2003-02-20T16:00:44Z")
Battle of the Bulge was on last weekend so it is still on. Loved/hated that show. I mean, if you are going to do a show about a battle, can you at least not try a tiny bit to make it somewhat relate to reality? I loved/hated the big tank battle scenes set in the ‘Ardennes desert’ Not a tree in sight! 😉 The historian was too polite 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Gorgon\_Heap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f475e1/32.png) [@Gorgon\_Heap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorgon_Heap)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2003, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-the-history-channel/155907/40 "2003-02-20T17:06:57Z")
I usually check it out once a day. Almost always on the weekends when there is nothing on. I have started to avoid the WWII stuff, because it _is_ all the same stuff repeatedly, but you can find neat stuff most other times. I watched several shows the other day … The Texas City Disaster, The Transcontinental Railroad, some others. Good stuff. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-the-history-channel/155907.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-think-of-the-history-channel/155907.md?page=3)