Christmas TV!

[wobblycogs]

Oh don't get me started on "educational" programs. I used to really look forward to the science pieces the Beeb would do but for the last decade or so it feels like they have just been making same show over and over again. It seems there's a few science topics that it's safe to make a program about (for example the big bang and sub-atomic physics) and a whole host that they won't touch with a barge pole. There's never a program about chemistry despite the fact that it has a massive impact on everyones day to day life. Why hasn't there been a program about stem cell research? I suspect these topics are too likely to rile the narrow minded masses or be considered "too difficult" so we are stuck with the same old stuff being churned out.

 

[newt]

I love the TV, some of the discovery programmes are quite amazing particularly national geographic. I am interested in aviation and there is a wealth of programmes on that topic. I have also got to say that Sky sport has coverage of nearly every type. Also the BBC does still have good drama also recently a series on the Claridge Hotel in London, quite astonished that folk are paying £6000 a night for a room. I agree that the quality of some programmes are very poor, but there is such a wide choice you don't have to watch the rubbish. Perhaps I am the only one left in the world that enjoys TV.

 

[RogerS]

... Perhaps I am the only one left in the world that enjoys TV.

No, you're not alone, Newt. There are some very good programmes.

 

[newt]

... Perhaps I am the only one left in the world that enjoys TV.

No, you're not alone, Newt. There are some very good programmes.

Roger that's a relief I was beginning to think I was the only one with all the negative comments on here.

 

[mailee]

... Perhaps I am the only one left in the world that enjoys TV.

No, you're not alone, Newt. There are some very good programmes.

I guess I must be missing something somewhere then? i am not into the sports programs but I do love documentaries. I also like the science programs and love a good drama but they seem to be few and far between if you only have freeview. I used to have all of the channels at one time but found that most of them were just repeated on another channel day after day and it now seems that most of the terrestrial channels are doing the same. Good lord! even the BBC news channel keep repeating 'click' and 'Reporters' which was on two days in a row! As for the celebrity quiz shows and the likes of the 'jungle' ones do that many people really like these??

 

[RogerS]

... Perhaps I am the only one left in the world that enjoys TV.

No, you're not alone, Newt. There are some very good programmes.

Roger that's a relief I was beginning to think I was the only one with all the negative comments on here.

Having said that, it is getting harder to find things to watch. For example, nothing this evening takes our fancy.

 

[Dangermouse]

1/ We refuse to pay SKY ( Murdock et al ) thiry to sixty hard earned quid a month to see a load of american programmes.

2/ Most of the educational programmes, as for instance " Horizon " has been dumbed down so a 3 year old can be amused by it.

3/ As I say we watch the few good programmes on the I-players

4/ we dont like football ( although the footballers are nice :wink: ) or any of the more commercial sports.

But the main thing is a lot of people treat watching telly as a hobby or essential part of life. We have come to realise its a time wasting drug and the freed up time we have now to put to our real hobbies and our family and friends is wonderful. We feel our life is more fulfilled and enjoyable with out it.
Just our personal view and I'm sure a lot of people would not agree, but wouldn't the world be a much worse off place if every one was the same.

 

[Losos]

apparently, only about 6% of people understand the difference between Deficit and National Debt, but it's never explained, which is odd given that understanding them is pretty fundamental to understanding the country's economic position.

You're right, there's a big lack of understanding by the great British public on this 'tho I must praise Jeff Randell because on his programme (7pm UK time on Sky News) he has been constantly banging on about it, even most of his guests don't understand :lol:

 

[newt]

1/ We refuse to pay SKY ( Murdock et al ) thiry to sixty hard earned quid a month to see a load of american programmes.
.

Fuly understand the cost of Sky, I also find it expensive, however you can't really moan about poor TV if don't have what's available. I only bought Sky because the options on free view were getting poor and due to illness I was house bound for some time.The science / documentary progs on discovery are in my option generally very good. Even the 7 odd BBC channels do have some good stuff sometimes, BBC2 moon series is a good example. There is little doubt that TV can be one of the great visual learning experiences, but should be limited and not become habitual.

 

[Eric The Viking]

apparently, only about 6% of people understand the difference between Deficit and National Debt, but it's never explained, which is odd given that understanding them is pretty fundamental to understanding the country's economic position.

You're right, there's a big lack of understanding by the great British public on this 'tho I must praise Jeff Randell because on his programme (7pm UK time on Sky News) he has been constantly banging on about it, even most of his guests don't understand :lol:

It's quite deliberate. The last government conflated the two as much as possible, and a BBC straw poll of MPs done a couple of years ago showed that a majority of them didn't understand the difference!

At one point, the Taxpayers Alliance debt clock had our debt, including off-balance-sheet stuff like nuclear decommissioning, Network Rail and LA pensions liabilities, as giving a grand total of something around £7TN.
That's close to £125,000 for every individual legally in the UK (I think - it was a while ago when I looked closely at this). in other words more than 4x my first mortgage.

The present lot aren't even close to cutting what they need to.

 

[Losos]

The present lot aren't even close to cutting what they need to.

Again you're right, everybodies talking about austerity but the debt is actually increasing :roll:

Had to smile tonight Jeff Randell was reporting that someone in America has come up with the idea of minting a one trillion dollar coin in pure platinum :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[graduate_owner]

I have to agree with the comments about dumbing down, especially on the commercial channels where they HAVE to tell you what the program is about before and after every break (as if we'd forgotten in the meantime). Even the BBC documentaries seem to be disappointing these days. At this very moment I'm watching a BBC2 program on polar bears which is actually quite well done, but I think you have to be very selective.

If you don't like paying Sky (sky high!!) charges then do as we did - dump it and get a Humax box. Then you can record and skip through the gormless adverts, such a bonus.

I would not like to be without a television though, despite the enormous amount of sheer drivel being broadcast. I like watching six nations rugby and wifey likes horse programs. We both enjoy costume dramas such as Downton Abbey, and Attenborough is always worth watching. As for the rest, well ....


K