the learning channel. for some reason.
February 1, 2011 4:30 PM Subscribe
TLC: [SLYT] The Learning Channel.
I got transfixed by TLC for a half hour watching some woman who eats couch cushions.
Which leads me to believe that TLC is all about hypnosis and mind-control now, why else would people watch the shit they watch on that station.
posted by Fizz at 4:43 PM on February 1, 2011 [1 favorite]
Which leads me to believe that TLC is all about hypnosis and mind-control now, why else would people watch the shit they watch on that station.
posted by Fizz at 4:43 PM on February 1, 2011 [1 favorite]
Would this be something you have to be so fed up with to stop watching television altogether to understand?
posted by Kid Charlemagne at 4:45 PM on February 1, 2011 [4 favorites]
posted by Kid Charlemagne at 4:45 PM on February 1, 2011 [4 favorites]
The turning point for TLC was Trading Spaces.
I can't remember if A Wedding Story, A Baby Story, A Dating Story, etc., etc., came before or after Trading Spaces, but I always think of those shows as the turning point. Or possibly Trauma: Life in the ER, though that at least could be vaguely educational.
posted by chrominance at 4:47 PM on February 1, 2011
I can't remember if A Wedding Story, A Baby Story, A Dating Story, etc., etc., came before or after Trading Spaces, but I always think of those shows as the turning point. Or possibly Trauma: Life in the ER, though that at least could be vaguely educational.
posted by chrominance at 4:47 PM on February 1, 2011
Uterus Cannon made me chuckle.
posted by Cheminatrix at 4:48 PM on February 1, 2011 [3 favorites]
posted by Cheminatrix at 4:48 PM on February 1, 2011 [3 favorites]
You know, Don Hertzfeldt pretty much nailed this 11 years ago.
posted by Kid Charlemagne at 4:51 PM on February 1, 2011 [5 favorites]
posted by Kid Charlemagne at 4:51 PM on February 1, 2011 [5 favorites]
A sampling of actual shows on TLC. Remember, this is a channel about learning:
Let Them Eat Cake Shows:
Cake Boss
DC Cupcakes
Fabulous Cakes
Next Great Baker
I Have Too Many Kids Shows:
19 Kids and Counting
I Didn't Know I was Pregnant
Kate Plus Eight
Quints By Surprise
Sextuplets Take New York
Police Women of:
Broward County
Cincinnati
Dallas
Maricopa County
Memphis
Disability, Mental Illness, and Worse:
Hoarding: Buried Alive
My Strange Addiction
Shit Head's Alaska
Sister Wives
Toddlers & Tiaras
There's also categories for; Fashion-ish, Fix My House and Other People You Don't Care About.
The Youtube Link is kind of funny, but reality trumps the shit out of any joke one could make.
posted by Mister Fabulous at 4:51 PM on February 1, 2011 [9 favorites]
Let Them Eat Cake Shows:
Cake Boss
DC Cupcakes
Fabulous Cakes
Next Great Baker
I Have Too Many Kids Shows:
19 Kids and Counting
I Didn't Know I was Pregnant
Kate Plus Eight
Quints By Surprise
Sextuplets Take New York
Police Women of:
Broward County
Cincinnati
Dallas
Maricopa County
Memphis
Disability, Mental Illness, and Worse:
Hoarding: Buried Alive
My Strange Addiction
Shit Head's Alaska
Sister Wives
Toddlers & Tiaras
There's also categories for; Fashion-ish, Fix My House and Other People You Don't Care About.
The Youtube Link is kind of funny, but reality trumps the shit out of any joke one could make.
posted by Mister Fabulous at 4:51 PM on February 1, 2011 [9 favorites]
I dig the TLC promo, although the the delightful promos for the Family Learning Channel have made it a staple of my basic cable viewing.
/I am feeling fat, and sassy.
posted by chambers at 4:53 PM on February 1, 2011 [3 favorites]
/I am feeling fat, and sassy.
posted by chambers at 4:53 PM on February 1, 2011 [3 favorites]
Oh my god, Trauma: Life in the ER is the show that made me stuff my TV into the back of my bedroom closet for two years. Seriously. It came on late at night, in back-to-back episodes, and god help me if I didn't watch them both. So there I'd be at like two in the morning, thinking "Why the hell do I keep doing that?"
posted by ThatCanadianGirl at 4:54 PM on February 1, 2011
posted by ThatCanadianGirl at 4:54 PM on February 1, 2011
Ahhhh, dammit. I knew I was going to be beaten to the punch on that.
posted by chambers at 4:54 PM on February 1, 2011
posted by chambers at 4:54 PM on February 1, 2011
The turning point for TLC was Trading Spaces. I can barely remember what came on before that
Connections.
posted by ALongDecember at 4:54 PM on February 1, 2011 [7 favorites]
Connections.
posted by ALongDecember at 4:54 PM on February 1, 2011 [7 favorites]
RIP TLC
posted by ThatCanadianGirl at 4:59 PM on February 1, 2011
posted by ThatCanadianGirl at 4:59 PM on February 1, 2011
Remember, this is a channel about learning
Not only that, but:
The A&E channel meets only the absolute minimum legal requirements for its programs to contain either Arts or Entertainment.
The History channel almost gets a pass, because at least some of the things it shows actually happened in the past, but even that is getting phased out by it's Chariots of the Gods/Coming Apocalypse/Undead UFO Ghosts give secret tech to Hitler-complex it's developed over the past few years.
The Discovery channel moved from learning and documentaries to more of a 'Discover how much crap programming you can put up with!" format.
The Military channel: One of the few remaining channels that actually does what's on the label.
posted by chambers at 5:06 PM on February 1, 2011 [2 favorites]
Not only that, but:
The A&E channel meets only the absolute minimum legal requirements for its programs to contain either Arts or Entertainment.
The History channel almost gets a pass, because at least some of the things it shows actually happened in the past, but even that is getting phased out by it's Chariots of the Gods/Coming Apocalypse/Undead UFO Ghosts give secret tech to Hitler-complex it's developed over the past few years.
The Discovery channel moved from learning and documentaries to more of a 'Discover how much crap programming you can put up with!" format.
The Military channel: One of the few remaining channels that actually does what's on the label.
posted by chambers at 5:06 PM on February 1, 2011 [2 favorites]
TLC hasn't been The Learning Channel for well over a decade. Go to http://tlc.discovery.com/, Ctrl+f and type learning: 0 hits. But damn, I love me some Cake Boss.
posted by reformedjerk at 5:10 PM on February 1, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by reformedjerk at 5:10 PM on February 1, 2011 [1 favorite]
I have trouble coming up with words to describe how important watching Connections on The Learning Channel was to me. I feel sad that kids today watching TLC won't watch something nearly as inspiring. I feel glad, however, that all they need to do is go to YouTube.
posted by ifandonlyif at 5:15 PM on February 1, 2011 [4 favorites]
posted by ifandonlyif at 5:15 PM on February 1, 2011 [4 favorites]
Actually, Mister Fabulous, I'm under the impression that I Didn't Know I Was Pregnant is more in the "Disability, Mental Illness, and Worse" category rather than "Too Many Kids". I think a lot of times, they don't realize that they're pregnant because of either excess weight, denial, or some weird physiological loophole.
Anyways, I'd watch The Divorce Horse. Just sayin'.
posted by mhum at 5:22 PM on February 1, 2011
Anyways, I'd watch The Divorce Horse. Just sayin'.
posted by mhum at 5:22 PM on February 1, 2011
Dwarf Hoarders.
Keep repeating it fast to yourself, and you start getting a Boston accent by the 10th time you say it.
DwoarfHoordrrs.
Weird. I wonder if there are other words/phrases one could use as a jumping off point to lock into another accent.
posted by chambers at 5:23 PM on February 1, 2011 [9 favorites]
Keep repeating it fast to yourself, and you start getting a Boston accent by the 10th time you say it.
DwoarfHoordrrs.
Weird. I wonder if there are other words/phrases one could use as a jumping off point to lock into another accent.
posted by chambers at 5:23 PM on February 1, 2011 [9 favorites]
Don't forget Uncommonly Sized People Doing Mundane Things:
The Tiniest Girl In The World
World's Tallest Children
The Little Couple
What Not To Wear is good, though. As far as reality TV goes.
posted by Pruitt-Igoe at 5:23 PM on February 1, 2011
The Tiniest Girl In The World
World's Tallest Children
The Little Couple
What Not To Wear is good, though. As far as reality TV goes.
posted by Pruitt-Igoe at 5:23 PM on February 1, 2011
Meanwhile, on the last TV station to give a damn...
posted by The White Hat at 5:25 PM on February 1, 2011
posted by The White Hat at 5:25 PM on February 1, 2011
Apparently there used to be a show called The Little Chocolatiers. That's really the perfect TLC hybrid show.
posted by Pruitt-Igoe at 5:26 PM on February 1, 2011
posted by Pruitt-Igoe at 5:26 PM on February 1, 2011
All I know is that at some point after 1999 I turned on the TLC and it was filled with what 19th century people would call "circus acts"!
posted by Fizz at 5:27 PM on February 1, 2011
posted by Fizz at 5:27 PM on February 1, 2011
I miss the days when Spike only showed volleyball games, the Goon Show and historical railway documentaries.
posted by Flashman at 5:28 PM on February 1, 2011 [4 favorites]
posted by Flashman at 5:28 PM on February 1, 2011 [4 favorites]
PBS doesn't compete for advertisers (much) so for them it's not a zero-sum-game to get the most viewers possible with the lowest common denominator programming (circus acts).
posted by stbalbach at 5:44 PM on February 1, 2011
posted by stbalbach at 5:44 PM on February 1, 2011
I Didn't Know I was Pregnant
I'm looking forward to the upcoming spinoff "I Can't Believe It's a Fetus!"
posted by Horace Rumpole at 5:48 PM on February 1, 2011 [1 favorite]
I'm looking forward to the upcoming spinoff "I Can't Believe It's a Fetus!"
posted by Horace Rumpole at 5:48 PM on February 1, 2011 [1 favorite]
Every one of these channels seems to start out by promising to cater to a niche market: Soap operas! Cartoons! Old (and new) game shows! History! Nashville! Learning! Years go by, and they realize they can only grow their audience by shifting towards the broadest possible programming. It's sad, if you're the sort to find such things sad.
posted by evilcolonel at 5:51 PM on February 1, 2011
posted by evilcolonel at 5:51 PM on February 1, 2011
Yeah, I like What Not To Wear.
posted by ThatCanadianGirl at 5:52 PM on February 1, 2011
posted by ThatCanadianGirl at 5:52 PM on February 1, 2011
If they just renamed these channels, would you people be happy?
Are you also still complaining that MTV doesn't show videos?
posted by smackfu at 5:56 PM on February 1, 2011 [1 favorite]
Are you also still complaining that MTV doesn't show videos?
posted by smackfu at 5:56 PM on February 1, 2011 [1 favorite]
There was a time in my life when I wasn't dating anyone and I was struggling through my first year of grad school when I used to watch A Baby Story and all the other fabulous story shows. I used to think of them as loneliness porn.
posted by pickypicky at 5:59 PM on February 1, 2011
posted by pickypicky at 5:59 PM on February 1, 2011
If they just renamed these channels, would you people be happy?
I'd be happy if in those 100+ channels that Comcast brings me, there was something to watch that wasn't painfully brain dead. What's the point in having a zillion different channels if they all show the same crap?
posted by octothorpe at 5:59 PM on February 1, 2011 [6 favorites]
I'd be happy if in those 100+ channels that Comcast brings me, there was something to watch that wasn't painfully brain dead. What's the point in having a zillion different channels if they all show the same crap?
posted by octothorpe at 5:59 PM on February 1, 2011 [6 favorites]
The turning point for TLC was Trading Spaces. I can barely remember what came on before that (maybe taped surgeries?), but I do remember it kind of all of a sudden turned into a lame home improvement channel.
The precursor to Trading Spaces was The Furniture Guys, which was kind of like The New Yankee Workshop with upholstery needles. It was educational, and it was awesome, and it was the last TLC program to be either.
posted by Sys Rq at 6:05 PM on February 1, 2011 [2 favorites]
The precursor to Trading Spaces was The Furniture Guys, which was kind of like The New Yankee Workshop with upholstery needles. It was educational, and it was awesome, and it was the last TLC program to be either.
posted by Sys Rq at 6:05 PM on February 1, 2011 [2 favorites]
There are plenty of good channels. USA, FX, AMC. A few years ago they were showing network reruns and movies. Now they are showing quality original series.
posted by smackfu at 6:06 PM on February 1, 2011
posted by smackfu at 6:06 PM on February 1, 2011
kentucky fried chicken -> KFC
the nashville network -> TNN -> the national network -> spike
MSSlate -> Slate
And finally, some words of wisdom from TLC (the band, Left Eye Lopez RIP)
I ain't 2 proud 2 beg
TLC isn't 2 proud 2 beg
I ain't 2 proud 2 beg (no)
posted by nutate at 6:13 PM on February 1, 2011
the nashville network -> TNN -> the national network -> spike
MSSlate -> Slate
And finally, some words of wisdom from TLC (the band, Left Eye Lopez RIP)
I ain't 2 proud 2 beg
TLC isn't 2 proud 2 beg
I ain't 2 proud 2 beg (no)
posted by nutate at 6:13 PM on February 1, 2011
If they just renamed these channels, would you people be happy?
Are you also still complaining that MTV doesn't show videos?
Well, see, the thing about basic cable mission creep is that it's deliberate. The programmers dilute the main station, then introduce a more narrowly-focused channel (i.e. just the original channel with a longer name) on more expensive higher-tier cable, which draws a spendier audience, which in turn draws spendier advertisers. Lather, rinse repeat.
Meanwhile, basic cable subscribers are essentially victims of a bait-and-switch.
posted by Sys Rq at 6:15 PM on February 1, 2011 [2 favorites]
Are you also still complaining that MTV doesn't show videos?
Well, see, the thing about basic cable mission creep is that it's deliberate. The programmers dilute the main station, then introduce a more narrowly-focused channel (i.e. just the original channel with a longer name) on more expensive higher-tier cable, which draws a spendier audience, which in turn draws spendier advertisers. Lather, rinse repeat.
Meanwhile, basic cable subscribers are essentially victims of a bait-and-switch.
posted by Sys Rq at 6:15 PM on February 1, 2011 [2 favorites]
TLC is The Learning Channel like Bravo is for Jazz and the Performing Arts.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 6:16 PM on February 1, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 6:16 PM on February 1, 2011 [1 favorite]
Uterus Cannon made me chuckle.
That's what he said last night.
posted by dobbs at 6:25 PM on February 1, 2011
That's what he said last night.
posted by dobbs at 6:25 PM on February 1, 2011
The turning point for TLC was Trading Spaces. I can barely remember what came on before that
Connections.
Man, I just came here to laugh along with all the modern TLC mockery.
But that comment really hurt.
posted by CaseyB at 6:50 PM on February 1, 2011 [3 favorites]
Connections.
Man, I just came here to laugh along with all the modern TLC mockery.
But that comment really hurt.
posted by CaseyB at 6:50 PM on February 1, 2011 [3 favorites]
Once upon a time, I took a vacation to Florida. While the mornings were clear, most afternoons were filled with thunderstorms, as is common for the state in question. Having little else to do on those rainy afternoons, I whiled away my time exploring the cable TV channels that weren't available in northern NJ. One day, I found myself watching a thoroughly engrossing documentary on the myths and history of the Sassanid Empire. "What an incredible program!" I said to my 14-year-old self. "What channel is this? I wish we got this at home!" The answer was TLC. And now I know to be careful what I wish for.
posted by Guernsey Halleck at 6:52 PM on February 1, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Guernsey Halleck at 6:52 PM on February 1, 2011 [1 favorite]
Losing TLC kinda sucks. But if I was sent back in time to the old-school TLC era, I'd trade it in a heartbeat for Wikipedia, or ted.com, or a dozen other learning resources we have now that we didn't then.
posted by CaseyB at 6:55 PM on February 1, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by CaseyB at 6:55 PM on February 1, 2011 [1 favorite]
Horace Rumpole: "I Didn't Know I was Pregnant
I'm looking forward to the upcoming spinoff "I Can't Believe It's a Fetus!"
Don't forget the The Pre-Natal Pageant
posted by symbioid at 6:57 PM on February 1, 2011
I'm looking forward to the upcoming spinoff "I Can't Believe It's a Fetus!"
Don't forget the The Pre-Natal Pageant
posted by symbioid at 6:57 PM on February 1, 2011
Real Transvestite Hoarders of Orange County Penitentiary -- A show I'd actually watch.
Yes. It was a 30 Rock gag. But how awesome does that sound!?
posted by schmod at 6:58 PM on February 1, 2011
Yes. It was a 30 Rock gag. But how awesome does that sound!?
posted by schmod at 6:58 PM on February 1, 2011
Listen, you can have Sister Wives back when I'm dead. Creepy patriarch running through the house, which has been subdivided into apartments for each wife? Check. New wife causing the other wives to burn with barely concealed resentment? Check. Dad has a BMW while the one working mom has a minivan held together by duct tape and a prayer? Check and check. And now they've pulled up stakes and moved to Vegas!
While Cake Boss may be a horrible screeching douchecanoe, his cake tasted like angels descended from heaven just to feed me for a minute.
We're not going to talk about Toddlers and Tiaras. That way madness lies.
TL;DR: I need a job.
posted by sugarfish at 6:59 PM on February 1, 2011 [1 favorite]
While Cake Boss may be a horrible screeching douchecanoe, his cake tasted like angels descended from heaven just to feed me for a minute.
We're not going to talk about Toddlers and Tiaras. That way madness lies.
TL;DR: I need a job.
posted by sugarfish at 6:59 PM on February 1, 2011 [1 favorite]
I call TLC "The Little Channel" aka "The Little Person Channel" since it suddenly is THE place to watch any and all shows about little people (not hating on little people at all, and it's great that they have some decent representation, but c'mon do we really need another show about little people, TLC?).
posted by 1000monkeys at 7:20 PM on February 1, 2011
posted by 1000monkeys at 7:20 PM on February 1, 2011
Yeah, I'm going to join sugarfish in saying that I love the kookery. You put kooky people on tv and I'll watch them. Duggars? Yep. Sister Wives? Sure. I-have-a-freakish-disease Sunday night? Count me in. Tree-man search for a cure? I must know.
I don't care for the wedding, baby, fashion, or cake stuff, though.
And I do miss "The Operation." I remember one episode where they operated on a baby's brain and they took all her scalp skin and pulled it over her face. My little neighbour was visiting that day and we told him it was meat and they were making a barbecue so he wouldn't be alarmed. He was pretty upset when they put her scalp back up and revealed her face underneath.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 7:21 PM on February 1, 2011 [1 favorite]
I don't care for the wedding, baby, fashion, or cake stuff, though.
And I do miss "The Operation." I remember one episode where they operated on a baby's brain and they took all her scalp skin and pulled it over her face. My little neighbour was visiting that day and we told him it was meat and they were making a barbecue so he wouldn't be alarmed. He was pretty upset when they put her scalp back up and revealed her face underneath.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 7:21 PM on February 1, 2011 [1 favorite]
Metafilter: a horrible screeching douchecanoe
Sorry, I just had to.
posted by Guernsey Halleck at 7:36 PM on February 1, 2011 [2 favorites]
Sorry, I just had to.
posted by Guernsey Halleck at 7:36 PM on February 1, 2011 [2 favorites]
The Military channel: One of the few remaining channels that actually does what's on the label.
I keep expecting Comedy Central to move to an all Lars von Trier and Holocaust documentary format.
posted by brundlefly at 7:54 PM on February 1, 2011 [4 favorites]
I keep expecting Comedy Central to move to an all Lars von Trier and Holocaust documentary format.
posted by brundlefly at 7:54 PM on February 1, 2011 [4 favorites]
Every one of these channels seems to start out by promising to cater to a niche market: Soap operas! Cartoons! Old (and new) game shows! History! Nashville! Learning! Years go by, and they realize they can only grow their audience by shifting towards the broadest possible programming.
Which is why Star Trek: TNG is on BBC America now.
posted by stargell at 8:27 PM on February 1, 2011
Which is why Star Trek: TNG is on BBC America now.
posted by stargell at 8:27 PM on February 1, 2011
I think I realized we had reached the point of no return when the SciFi Channel (excuse me, I meant SyFy) started showing professional wrestling. Though I guess it is fiction, at least.
posted by Rangeboy at 8:32 PM on February 1, 2011
posted by Rangeboy at 8:32 PM on February 1, 2011
Other great TLC imports of yesteryear-
The Secret Life of Machines
Mongol Hordes: Storm from the East"
For a brief period they seemed to be on the verge of out-PBSing PBS.
Selah.
posted by Esteemed Offendi at 8:42 PM on February 1, 2011
The Secret Life of Machines
Mongol Hordes: Storm from the East"
For a brief period they seemed to be on the verge of out-PBSing PBS.
Selah.
posted by Esteemed Offendi at 8:42 PM on February 1, 2011
Don't talk to me about Toddlers & Tiaras. Apart from RuPaul's Drag Race I think it is my favorite current show on tv. Those crazy moms and their crazy children are so damned entertaining! Some of them are legitimately having a good time but other families featured are just thinly veiled evil. It's usually the ones with the youngest children. I love watching T&T because the absurdity of the entire situation is presented with what seems to be no comment. Sure, there's editing magic in there, but for the most part there is no narrative voice and no editorial spin. It neither demonizes nor elevates the whackadoodle sport of child beauty pageants and leaves me to form my own opinions. I love seeing inside the homes and lives of the people who do pageants - it's like being able to visit a bizarro un-universe through my tv. And makes me feel better about my life choices.
posted by Mizu at 10:38 PM on February 1, 2011 [3 favorites]
posted by Mizu at 10:38 PM on February 1, 2011 [3 favorites]
Listen, you can have Sister Wives back when I'm dead. Creepy patriarch running through the house, which has been subdivided into apartments for each wife? Check. New wife causing the other wives to burn with barely concealed resentment? Check. Dad has a BMW while the one working mom has a minivan held together by duct tape and a prayer? Check and check. And now they've pulled up stakes and moved to Vegas!
OHMYGOD is there a new season out?!
Sister Wives is pretty much everything I always hoped Big Love would be. All the fascinating crazy without any of that compound shit.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 11:29 PM on February 1, 2011
OHMYGOD is there a new season out?!
Sister Wives is pretty much everything I always hoped Big Love would be. All the fascinating crazy without any of that compound shit.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 11:29 PM on February 1, 2011
Dwarves who hoard?
Well, yeah. What else are you gonna do with all that crap you stole from Smaug?
posted by NoraReed at 1:27 AM on February 2, 2011 [4 favorites]
Well, yeah. What else are you gonna do with all that crap you stole from Smaug?
posted by NoraReed at 1:27 AM on February 2, 2011 [4 favorites]
I can't wait for Hasty Home Surgery. Didn't we already have an FPP about that sort of thing?
posted by IndigoRain at 2:22 AM on February 2, 2011
posted by IndigoRain at 2:22 AM on February 2, 2011
I Don't Think You're Pregnant
Fashion Eye For The Thigh-High Guy
Cellar Dwellars (goblins with a penchant for merlot)
posted by furtive at 2:46 AM on February 2, 2011 [2 favorites]
Fashion Eye For The Thigh-High Guy
Cellar Dwellars (goblins with a penchant for merlot)
posted by furtive at 2:46 AM on February 2, 2011 [2 favorites]
TLC is the human exploitation channel.
posted by Flood at 3:49 AM on February 2, 2011 [5 favorites]
posted by Flood at 3:49 AM on February 2, 2011 [5 favorites]
I'd be happy if in those 100+ channels that Comcast brings me, there was something to watch that wasn't painfully brain dead. What's the point in having a zillion different channels if they all show the same crap?
Indeed, what is the point? "I've been buying your product for 20 years and for the last 19 of those years I've hated it with the heat of a million suns. You better start improving soon!"
posted by DU at 4:14 AM on February 2, 2011
Indeed, what is the point? "I've been buying your product for 20 years and for the last 19 of those years I've hated it with the heat of a million suns. You better start improving soon!"
posted by DU at 4:14 AM on February 2, 2011
DU: "Indeed, what is the point? "I've been buying your product for 20 years and for the last 19 of those years I've hated it with the heat of a million suns. You better start improving soon!"
Personally I'd be happy without cable, though I'd miss HBO, but I'm not the only TV consumer in the house.
posted by octothorpe at 5:48 AM on February 2, 2011
Personally I'd be happy without cable, though I'd miss HBO, but I'm not the only TV consumer in the house.
posted by octothorpe at 5:48 AM on February 2, 2011
Indeed, what is the point?
Well, this is sort of the crux of the matter, isn't it? Comcast has a monopoly where I live for cable and broadband. So, if I want internet access I need Comcast. Their pricing structure makes it cheaper for me to have cable television plus internet access versus internet alone.
There are other complications, too, of course. I bought an HDTV so I could watch things in HD. Which requires the HD box (+$15) and the HD programming package (+$whoknows). They don't offer their standard package in HD - you need to sign up for the super-expansive 115 channel lineup. Out of which we watch, oh, five channels reliably.
The simple answer is "put down the remote, fatty" but to be honest, we enjoy curling up on the couch and watching an episode of something or other in the evening. And there's always the option to drop the cable and try to get everything off the internet, but the initial investment is high (antenna for OTA channels, new computer for a media center) and the availability is still lacking because the damned distributors are freaking out about people not watching their commercials.
There was an article a little while ago (which I can't find now, natch) about an editor for - Wired? Ars Technica? can't remember at the moment - who tried to ditch his cable and ended up going back to it after a few months. If you're doing it all "legally", without torrenting last night's episode of Mad Men, it's a huge pain in the ass.
posted by backseatpilot at 6:18 AM on February 2, 2011
Well, this is sort of the crux of the matter, isn't it? Comcast has a monopoly where I live for cable and broadband. So, if I want internet access I need Comcast. Their pricing structure makes it cheaper for me to have cable television plus internet access versus internet alone.
There are other complications, too, of course. I bought an HDTV so I could watch things in HD. Which requires the HD box (+$15) and the HD programming package (+$whoknows). They don't offer their standard package in HD - you need to sign up for the super-expansive 115 channel lineup. Out of which we watch, oh, five channels reliably.
The simple answer is "put down the remote, fatty" but to be honest, we enjoy curling up on the couch and watching an episode of something or other in the evening. And there's always the option to drop the cable and try to get everything off the internet, but the initial investment is high (antenna for OTA channels, new computer for a media center) and the availability is still lacking because the damned distributors are freaking out about people not watching their commercials.
There was an article a little while ago (which I can't find now, natch) about an editor for - Wired? Ars Technica? can't remember at the moment - who tried to ditch his cable and ended up going back to it after a few months. If you're doing it all "legally", without torrenting last night's episode of Mad Men, it's a huge pain in the ass.
posted by backseatpilot at 6:18 AM on February 2, 2011
PhoB, they're filming the new season now. I think you'll find the Television Without Pity thread on Sister Wives illuminating.
posted by sugarfish at 6:47 AM on February 2, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by sugarfish at 6:47 AM on February 2, 2011 [1 favorite]
I'd given up much-reduced cable package ~2 years ago. Between Boxee, my Roku box and Hulu, I've self-defined pretty much the a la carte programming I've always wanted from the cable companies.
That said, visiting this comment thread only validates that I've not missed a damn thing. When I'm in a hotel, I peruse the cable offerings and actually still feel a bit of rage at myself for cycling through the entire channel offering as though I expect to find something worthwhile.
If it was worth seeing, I'll pick up the series when its released on DVD. and the +/- $65 (factoring in taxes and equipment fees) stays in my pocket every month, and instead goes toward the occasional modest dinner out, somewhere. When I think I'm lust for something I miss on cable, I remind myself of the saving as the improved lifestyle experience.
I highly recommend this approach, if you ever decide to cut the umbilical.
posted by uncorq at 6:52 AM on February 2, 2011
That said, visiting this comment thread only validates that I've not missed a damn thing. When I'm in a hotel, I peruse the cable offerings and actually still feel a bit of rage at myself for cycling through the entire channel offering as though I expect to find something worthwhile.
If it was worth seeing, I'll pick up the series when its released on DVD. and the +/- $65 (factoring in taxes and equipment fees) stays in my pocket every month, and instead goes toward the occasional modest dinner out, somewhere. When I think I'm lust for something I miss on cable, I remind myself of the saving as the improved lifestyle experience.
I highly recommend this approach, if you ever decide to cut the umbilical.
posted by uncorq at 6:52 AM on February 2, 2011
The self-satisfied TV boycotter has transformed into the self-satisfied cable boycotter.
posted by smackfu at 8:43 AM on February 2, 2011
posted by smackfu at 8:43 AM on February 2, 2011
Ever since digital broadcast TV, I haven't felt the call of cable. The interesting niche shows are available on Hulu or their own sites, the local channels have PBS and sufficient Zombie Pacification broadcasting to fill that niche. Like others have said, there's a lot of dreck on cable, but it wasn't until this thread that I understood why - niche channels having to grow, niche replacements going to premium.
(Not smug, just spending most of my entertainment and loafing time on the net like the rest of you)
posted by zippy at 10:45 AM on February 2, 2011
(Not smug, just spending most of my entertainment and loafing time on the net like the rest of you)
posted by zippy at 10:45 AM on February 2, 2011
SyFy is not about science, fiction, or science-fiction.
TLC is not about learning
MTV is not about music
repeat ad nauseum.
posted by blue_beetle at 11:43 AM on February 2, 2011
TLC is not about learning
MTV is not about music
repeat ad nauseum.
posted by blue_beetle at 11:43 AM on February 2, 2011
I got rid of the cable box last week, and replaced it with a Roku. Immediate Payoff - Ben Heck has a show on one of the free "Channels."
posted by Slap*Happy at 5:31 PM on February 2, 2011
posted by Slap*Happy at 5:31 PM on February 2, 2011
I stopped watching since when they stopped airing The Operation.
Luckily, youtube is more than happy to comply with awesome surgery videos.
posted by Theta States at 10:09 AM on February 11, 2011
Luckily, youtube is more than happy to comply with awesome surgery videos.
posted by Theta States at 10:09 AM on February 11, 2011
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And now, well, a few days ago while flipping through channels, I got transfixed by TLC for a half hour watching some woman who eats couch cushions. WTF.
posted by phunniemee at 4:35 PM on February 1, 2011 [6 favorites]