# When a Cable Network Becomes a Slave of Their Own Successful Show **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 15, 2003, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-cable-network-becomes-a-slave-of-their-own-successful-show/213388 "2003-11-15T05:17:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Doomtrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Doomtrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doomtrain)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2003, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-cable-network-becomes-a-slave-of-their-own-successful-show/213388/41 "2003-11-16T05:24:49Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Fern Forest \* > \*\*A bathtub on wheels! It was brilliant and beautiful and the first time I ever found myself rootin’ for the Russians over the Americans. \*\* Is that the one with the vehicle that had to be a rock crawler, boat, and then an all out racer? Cause the Russians were nuts. But I think they could’ve taken it if they’d planned better for the rock crawler bit. ---
**Author:** ![Fern\_Forest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/71c47a/32.png) [@Fern\_Forest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fern_Forest)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2003, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-cable-network-becomes-a-slave-of-their-own-successful-show/213388/42 "2003-11-16T07:20:54Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by GMRyujin \* > \*\*Is that the one with the vehicle that had to be a rock crawler, boat, and then an all out racer? Cause the Russians were nuts. But I think they could’ve taken it if they’d planned better for the rock crawler bit. \*\* Yeah that was it. Perhaps if they had 4 wheels instead of just 3, two in back, one in front. Their contraption looked right out of the wacky races. ---
**Author:** ![Bruce\_Daddy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/85f322/32.png) [@Bruce\_Daddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bruce_Daddy)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2003, 8:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-cable-network-becomes-a-slave-of-their-own-successful-show/213388/43 "2003-11-16T08:35:53Z")
Dear MTV, More Real World/Road Rules. -Bruce\_Daddy ---
**Author:** ![PalJuicy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a8b319/32.png) [@PalJuicy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PalJuicy)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2003, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-cable-network-becomes-a-slave-of-their-own-successful-show/213388/44 "2003-11-16T11:06:12Z")
Wordy McWord, OP. ---
**Author:** ![Innanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ecd19e/32.png) [@Innanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Innanna)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2003, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-cable-network-becomes-a-slave-of-their-own-successful-show/213388/45 "2003-11-16T11:49:43Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by eman77 \* > \*\*Wasn’t A&E the Unsolved Murder Mystery channel at one point? I remember all they had was American Justice, Investigative Reports and other such programming. \*\* My mother morns the loss of her “corpse shows” as I call them. She was really offended when A&E changed their programming. She is still complaining. Thankfully, since CSI became popular, there are lots of forensics shows to choose from—especially on TLC and Discovery. Now she is campaigning to have the local cable station broadcast Court TV because she heard there were corpse shows on it. The woman is obsessed and really needs Corpse TV ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2003, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-cable-network-becomes-a-slave-of-their-own-successful-show/213388/46 "2003-11-16T12:11:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by GMRyujin \* > \*\*I used to watch it a lot more. Now that they’ve Americanized it and have that dorky dude (Tyler?) hosting it, it’s not nearly as fun. The old British ones with the short guy who took a malicious delight in teams getting behind/failing were a hoot. The whole over-the-top Mad Max feel was part of the show. > > I love the ones where they have the international teams. And you’re right. The Americans always build something huge and overpowered, the British try to finesse, and the Russians come up with something oddball out of left field. \*\* The short guy, if he’s the one I’m thinking of, also played the part of an absolute slacker who is the Only Human Left Alive in Red Dwarf. No, holograms don’t count. Neither do bipedal cats. Neither do androids. ---
**Author:** ![Agrippina](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8797f3/32.png) [@Agrippina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agrippina)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2003, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-cable-network-becomes-a-slave-of-their-own-successful-show/213388/47 "2003-11-16T16:02:03Z")
And at some points, all those learning type channels become “The Ancient Egypt Channel” or “UFO Channel”. I’d like to see a program where Hitler was abducted by UFOs along with King Tut and made a stop off at Area 51. Just throw it all together. ---
**Author:** ![Innanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ecd19e/32.png) [@Innanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Innanna)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2003, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-cable-network-becomes-a-slave-of-their-own-successful-show/213388/48 "2003-11-16T18:24:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Rabid Child \* > \*\*And at some points, all those learning type channels become “The Ancient Egypt Channel” or “UFO Channel”. I’d like to see a program where Hitler was abducted by UFOs along with King Tut and made a stop off at Area 51. Just throw it all together. \*\* …and invented the wheel. Then they all swaped houses and re-decorated with the help of rebuilt motorcycles and Emeril and the crocadile hunter who were of little use after they got into a fist fight about catch phrases… ---
**Author:** ![raz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@raz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raz)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2003, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-cable-network-becomes-a-slave-of-their-own-successful-show/213388/49 "2003-11-16T19:41:01Z")
What about the “New TNN” or SpikeTV or whatever the hell they call it now? That channel certainly went to shit. What happened to the good old days of Dukes of Hazzard re-runs on TNN? ---
**Author:** ![Doomtrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Doomtrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doomtrain)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2003, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-cable-network-becomes-a-slave-of-their-own-successful-show/213388/50 "2003-11-16T20:34:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Lynn Bodoni \* > \*\*The short guy, if he’s the one I’m thinking of, also played the part of an absolute slacker who is the Only Human Left Alive in Red Dwarf. > > No, holograms don’t count. Neither do bipedal cats. Neither do androids. \*\* You’re thinking of Robot Wars. Listy’s shown as host for that, according to IMDb, not Junkyard Wars. ---
**Author:** ![Yossarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/9de0a6/32.png) [@Yossarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yossarian)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2003, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-cable-network-becomes-a-slave-of-their-own-successful-show/213388/51 "2003-11-16T21:29:23Z")
Right–Junkyard Wars is hosted by Red Dwarf’s [Kryten](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0515753/). ---
**Author:** ![Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5fc32e/32.png) [@Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bad_News_Baboon)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2003, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-cable-network-becomes-a-slave-of-their-own-successful-show/213388/52 "2003-11-17T01:24:44Z")
My first thougts when I saw this thread: The food channel: Emeril some Italian cooking show Emeril Jamie Oliver Emeril Unwrapped Unwrapped Good eats Emeril Unwrapped Unwrapped I used to love Unwrapped. Now it’s all starting to look the same, especially since they air 2 a night. My favorite show is Good Eats, but I worry about it. It was great to look forward to it. Now they play it every night and I hope that it doesn’t get over played like Emeril. I hope they don’t ruin the quality for quantity. ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2003, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-cable-network-becomes-a-slave-of-their-own-successful-show/213388/53 "2003-11-17T02:49:45Z")
You know, Weird Al Yankovic predicted all this back in 1985 or so, in his song _Cable TV_, about how he’s gotten cable TV hooked up and now he’s a hermit in his apartment, watching it all day… “My friends are gettin’ kind of worried They think I’m turnin’ into some kind of freak Oh, but they’re just jealous cuz I’ve seen _Porky’s_ Twenty-seven times this week On my cable TV” ---
**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:** [November 17, 2003, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-cable-network-becomes-a-slave-of-their-own-successful-show/213388/54 "2003-11-17T13:20:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by GMRyujin \* > \*\*[History Channel Narrator Guy] > Now, on the History Channel…“Does Hitler’s Bubblegum lose it’s flavor on the bedpost overnight?” on Really Secret Weapons of the Third Reich And No, We’re Not Kidding This Time. > \*\* When they roll stock concentration camp footage, it’s then that you really don’t want to know what’s in Hitler’s gum. “Chemists at I. G. Farben discovered a way to use human fats …” CLICK! Uhh, let’s watch the evening news from Bulgaria on SCOLA. ---
**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:** [November 17, 2003, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-cable-network-becomes-a-slave-of-their-own-successful-show/213388/55 "2003-11-17T13:24:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Innanna \* > \*\* The woman is obsessed and really needs Corpse TV \*\* Our moms must be related. Mom has to have her detectives and lawyers, or otherwise the day will seem seem incomplete. She wants to get digital cable, because with the extra channels, she can watch any of the CSI variants for ten or twelve solid hours a day. ---
**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:** [November 17, 2003, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-cable-network-becomes-a-slave-of-their-own-successful-show/213388/56 "2003-11-17T13:37:12Z")
Obscure cable channels aren’t immune. TechTV: _Screen Savers_ and various help-desk variants, followed by anime. CAHHH - NAHHH - DAHHHH! Outdoor Channel: just rename it the Deer Hunting Network. ESPN 2: Somewhere in the world, there’s a World’s Strongest Man competition going on at any minute. The Arab Channel: Sunday morning-style panel discussion shows, all day, every day. Zee TV: TUNAK TUNAK TUUUUUUUUUUN!!! Despite this, I feel sorry for those whose primary language is Spanish; of the gazillion Spanish channels I get, the majority seem devoted to bad variety shows, bad soap operas, and soccer. Lots and lots of soccer. ---
**Author:** ![Innanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ecd19e/32.png) [@Innanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Innanna)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2003, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-cable-network-becomes-a-slave-of-their-own-successful-show/213388/57 "2003-11-17T13:42:12Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by elmwood \* > \*\*Our moms must be related. Mom has to have her detectives and lawyers, or otherwise the day will seem seem incomplete. She wants to get digital cable, because with the extra channels, she can watch any of the CSI variants for ten or twelve solid hours a day. \*\* Is there some kind of support group? For them or for us. 🙂 Did I mention that the woman watches at least 3 Law and Orders (and spin-offs) a day? I can imagine the slogan for MOMTV: “Decomposing flesh, murder, and malice. Mothers love this stuff.” ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2003, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-cable-network-becomes-a-slave-of-their-own-successful-show/213388/58 "2003-11-17T14:52:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by elmwood \* > **ESPN 2: Somewhere in the world, there’s a World’s Strongest Man competition going on at any minute.** Mmmmmm…World’s Strongest Man. Big, burly, thick-bodied men, many of whom are Scandinavian. With thighs like barrels and arms like thighs and necks like posts and shoulders and backs like walls. [Magnus ver Magnusson](http://www.magnusvermagnusson.com/)…if I had a uterus, I’d want to have his babies. There’s a reason (besides money) that I never actually attend any of those Strongest Man events. I’d get in SO much trouble… ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2003, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-cable-network-becomes-a-slave-of-their-own-successful-show/213388/59 "2003-11-17T15:42:12Z")
**roadkiller** : Any channel that will show ST:TNG and MXC is pretty high on my list for pure entertainment. Especially the absolutely mindless and hilarious MXC. About TLC: I love _Mythbusters_. I think it’s the best of the whole class of `gearheads build, then destroy, neat stuff', simply because of the disproving urban legends angle. I don't like how they sometimes *force* a result by altering the parameters of their experiment (like when they so altered the dummy on the `pissing on the third rail’ segment), but I do understand that they are playing for TV and need the ratings. I think TLC would be well served by playing that to the exclusion of _American Chopper_ and such like. And, finally, about the CBC: I love the Ceeb. I like _The National_ and I like _Zed_ (late-night artsy show) and I even like _The Red Green Show_. I love _This Hour Has 22 Minutes_, and I think that is how Comedy Central’s _The Daily Show_ should be. (Need proof? Stockwell Day to Doris Day. I nearly evacuated out my major orifices laughing.) ---
**Author:** ![stick\_monkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@stick\_monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stick_monkey)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2003, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-cable-network-becomes-a-slave-of-their-own-successful-show/213388/60 "2003-11-17T15:54:27Z")
> [@](#): > > Oh yeah and me third on “Good Eats”. I can’t cook a lick but I love that program - its like “Mr. Wizard” meets “Julia Child”. I will fourth or fifth that show. Anyone who would make a charcoal powered jet engine just to cook some tuna has mad props in my book. And I missed whoever dissed it, but don’t be dissin my spike TV. Slamball rules, and any network willing to put up a Video Game Awards, ST:tNG, Highlander, and MXC on the same channel gets props in my book. I do wish they would cut back on the Baywatch and Real TV though. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-cable-network-becomes-a-slave-of-their-own-successful-show/213388.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-a-cable-network-becomes-a-slave-of-their-own-successful-show/213388.md?page=4)