What's up with The History Channel?

jillduffy · 09-17-2008, 04:08 PM

Has anyone noticed how off-the-wall The History Channel has become?

Once upon a time, The History Channel aired programs about ... history.

But in the last few years, THC has become the most bizarre channel. I'm actually in a hotel now watching an hour long program about "the ax."

"Whether it's in the hand's of Paul Bunyon clearing a forest...."
"The ax is really all about power!"
"Not only is the ax used to fell trees, it's also used to carve logs!" (those were direct quotes, I kid you not).

There have been previous "history" shows on -- I kid you not -- dragons. And there's another one about to start now called "Monster Quest."

It reminds me of the American Museum of Natural History's exhibit last year on "Mythic Creatures: Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids." At the Natural History Museum!

I don't think I could make this stuff up.

Gshonk · 09-17-2008, 04:17 PM

Hahaha yea I have noticed that. I guess people don't want to see regular history anymore.

There is only so much of WW2 you can watch I guess.

TG1 · 09-17-2008, 08:13 PM

I think it's only because it's Austin's History Channel, part of the keep Austin weird campaign

PS: Hey, look! I've got a new title! Wow, that was quick

Adrir · 09-17-2008, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jillduffy

I'm actually in a hotel now watching an hour long program about "the ax."

"Whether it's in the hand's of Paul Bunyon clearing a forest...."
"The ax is really all about power!"
"Not only is the ax used to fell trees, it's also used to carve logs!" (those were direct quotes, I kid you not).

And it definittely isn't a childrens show? That's hilarious

Fugus · 09-18-2008, 01:02 PM

In it's 13 years of Life could it be that the channel has already gone through our 6000 years of recorded history ?
I guess that's what happens when you only talk about Western history.
I would love to see documentaries about the different Chinese dynasties or the Incas. Unfortunately you only get WW2 stuff...
or maybe ax stuff if you're lucky

EvilLlama · 09-18-2008, 05:50 PM

I saw that exhibit. It was disappointingly cryptic, but I learned a few things. And I got an awesome overpriced keychain from the gift shop

Mythical creatures have played an important role in various cultures and mythologies. History is more than just wars and famous speeches, and fantasy/mythology deserves to have the roles it played included and examined.

That said, Animal Planet used to include educational shows about wildlife. Now it's basically all pet rescue stories. I haven't had an opportunity to watch TV at all this year, so I can't really say if the History Channel is at risk of becoming that off balanced.

Is it just me or has there been a decline in educational entertainment in general?

jillduffy · 09-19-2008, 05:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EvilLlama

Mythical creatures have played an important role in various cultures and mythologies. History is more than just wars and famous speeches, and fantasy/mythology deserves to have the roles it played included and examined.

Exploring how mythology influenced a society would actually be pretty interesting. Unfortunately, The History Channel show's angle was more along the lines of "Does big foot exist?" with lengthy interviews of people who had seen big foot in the 1970s in upstate New York.

ronnoc10 · 09-19-2008, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jillduffy

Exploring how mythology influenced a society would actually be pretty interesting. Unfortunately, The History Channel show's angle was more along the lines of "Does big foot exist?" with lengthy interviews of people who had seen big foot in the 1970s in upstate New York.

I just saw that episode the other day. It made me really sad.
I used to love the History channel

jillduffy · 09-19-2008, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronnoc10

I just saw that episode the other day. It made me really sad.
I used to love the History channel

I wonder if anyone feels that way about video games, as in, "I used to love games when they were about strategy, luck, and play. Now they're just virtual worlds where you go around collecting dwarf beards."

(I'm kidding.)

ronnoc10 · 09-19-2008, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jillduffy

I wonder if anyone feels that way about video games, as in, "I used to love games when they were about strategy, luck, and play. Now they're just virtual worlds where you go around collecting dwarf beards."

(I'm kidding.)

Lots of people do say stuff like that, but for the most part, they are just to lazy to look for games that they will like. I had a conversation with someone claiming that there are no Adventure games anymore, and today I saw an entire self of them at Target.
Yay adventure games!

On the subject of the History Channel and video games, has anyone played one of their licensed games? I've hear they're terrible, but I've been thinking about renting one, because, as this site likes to tell me, it's good to study both good and bad games.