Remember when Nick-At-Nite and TVLand showed great (pre-1980) tv shows?
Or when Comedy Central showed things like "The Jack Benny Program" and "You Bet Your Life" with Groucho Marx?
How about when USA had good shows on?
Also you could see things like "One Day At A Time" and "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour" on E!
Odessey (now Hallmark) showed things like My Three Sons, I Dream Of Jeannie, Partridge Family, and later Hawaii Five-O.
Then there is GSN which was great when it started but now sucks so bad I can't even fathom what it has become.
What is the deal here?
Seems every channel that starts out showing great stuff winds up going down the toilet and showing modern garbage or running the same few classics in the ground.
I won't go into torrid details here as those who agree with me will know what I mean. Hell, the only TV I watch anymore is stuff posted on YouTube. The only cable channels I watch are Turner Classic Movies, Fox Movie Channel, and the Discovery and History Channels.
A&E sucks so bad now it is sad. They used to be a great network 15 to 20 years ago. And what is up with The Bigraphy Channel? Murder She Wrote, Poriot, Midsomer Murders, and Sherlock Holmes are NOT biogrpahies.
Well, I have ranted and raved now and will get off my soap box, I was just wondering if anyone knows why tv channels think that no one over 30 years old watches tv anymore.

SOOOO true. N@N and TVLand are the worst offenders, IMO. MTV as well, but in a different sort of way, since that was never really "classic tv." The Disney channel and Nickelodeon come to mind as well (I miss the days of 90's era nick shows, and Disney Channel original movies...). Maybe it's just because I'm a nostalgic sort of person, but even objectively speaking all these networks have gone soo downhill it isn't even funny.

I misssss you, Nick at Nite ("the-place-for-tv-hits," as said in that cute, melodic way..)

Throw Cartoon Network in there too. Once, they ruled, especially when they showed Bullwinkle, Underdog, and Roger Ramjet in addition to the Hanna-Barbera classics along with Popeye. Today, forget it.

Then there is GSN which was great when it started but now sucks so bad I can't even fathom what it has become.
I'll agree with you that GSN during most of 2004 and 2005 was intolerable (I just about quit watching for almost a year), but I disagree about GSN sucking today. This is one of the few networks that I've seen gone through some sort of change, then almost completely revert back to what they're known for. It look them just over a year to put older shows back on in the mornings and most of the day. IMO, they've done a near 180 since 3/15/04. Can't say the same for N@N and USA. I really for the most part just have minor nitpicks about GSN now. Though they do occassionally do things that get on my nerves, unlike TVLand, I'm not overly dissatisfied with what I see now.
A&E sucks so bad now it is sad. They used to be a great network 15 to 20 years ago. And what is up with The Bigraphy Channel? Murder She Wrote, Poriot, Midsomer Murders, and Sherlock Holmes are NOT biogrpahies.
LOL, are you kidding me? Now I'm glad I don't have the Biography channel.

Out of any two channels that have done changing, to me, USA, TVLand, and Nick at Nite are the worst offenders.

Not that I hate SoapNet, but I wouldn't mind seeing a couple more older soaps be added sometime.

Nickelodeon.I haven't watched in a couple years but I've seen the names of these shows are stupid.They aren't like they were when I was a kid.The last time I watched All That,it wasn't as good as it was when I first watched it

Nick@Nite wouldn't be as bad if they would just cut down on the overplaying and more variety, even a few years ago they would just put the high rated shows in prime time and the lower rated shows after midnight. They don't even air anything in order. It seems like they are just floating until they get another big hit they can overplay like Family Matters or Home Improvement

N@N, USA, TV Land, Nickelodeon and TBS are the huge offenders. When I first got cable in '89, I was blown away. Lots of good stuff to enjoy and not one POS to spoil it. Today, It's overplay and overkill. :mad:

Don't forget AMC. They used to show old classic films from the 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s, uncut and without commercials. Now they show a lot of modern movies from the 80s and 90s, with commercial breaks during the movies.

I remember for a while "NewsRadio" was on the Biography channel. I love that show (in fact, it's my favorite) but it doesn't belong on the Biography Channel.

We need channels that know what they are and not insist on showing programming that doesn't fit their channel. Like VH-1 doesn't show music videos anymore. They have followed in MTV's footsteps and just pretty much show reality programming all day.

Don't leave TNN out. Now, I realize it's undergone quite a few changes (The Nashville Network, to The National Network, to Spike), but back in 2000? or so I remember Newhart, WKRP, The Waltons, Facts of Life, Diff'rent Strokes, etc. I don't even know WHAT they show now, but last I checked it was boring and lots of repeats.

Hallmark started with shows like ALF, My Three Sons, Bewitched, Jeannie, Facts of Life, Hart to Hart, Happy Days, etc. Now it's endless reruns of M*A*S*H, Little House, Walker Texas Ranger, and their original movies.

Don't get me started on Nick@Nite and TV Land, they're the biggest disappointments (especially TV Land).

We need channels that know what they are and not insist on showing programming that doesn't fit their channel. Like VH-1 doesn't show music videos anymore. They have followed in MTV's footsteps and just pretty much show reality programming all day.
You tell it, Adam!

I noticed this about VH-1 too. They weren't as bad as MTV, but they were still shying away from music videos. They would air their countdown specials a lot. Now I flip past them over 90% of the time and they air the same mix of I Love New York, Surreal Life, and White Rapper Show over and over.

Don't get me started on Nick@Nite and TV Land, they're the biggest disappointments (especially TV Land).

Are you contemplating a name change? ;)

Thanks for reminding me of AMC, TNN, Cartoon Network and MTV. I haven't watched them in so long I forgot they still exist :lol: But I remember when they were great. Heck I had so much to watch and so little time back then. Now that saying is reversed.

As for Biography Channel, yes it is true they show less and less biographies and more and more shows like I mentioned. Soon it will be another A&E (which already owns it). Also, VH1 Classic (which was 24-7 videos with no commercials when I got it 2001) is now playing many shows and less videos and of course has added commercials.

I wouldn't care if they have 100 channels showing the same old stuff, just let me have one little channel for my shows.

You tell it, Adam!

I noticed this about VH-1 too. They weren't as bad as MTV, but they were still shying away from music videos. They would air their countdown specials a lot. Now I flip past them over 90% of the time and they air the same mix of I Love New York, Surreal Life, and White Rapper Show over and over.

I haven't seen VH-1 since October 2000. It's a damn shame that it's following in its sister channel's footsteps of TV for "People willing to shed their pride and crush their dignities".:(

Also, TNT is a majo offender. They had The Muppet Show, Bugs Bunny, The Pink Panther, and countless classic movies airing most of the day. As they're programming grew with NBA Basketball, NFL Football, and lots of current crime dramas. It definetly lost its charm. That whole "We Know Drama" crap is for the birds.ohno:

I remember when MTV used to be just that: Music Television. And they showed music videos around the clock (early 80s). I loved that channel back then and probably spent too much of my time watching it.

It's a real shame what has happened to TV in general these past couple of decades.

I haven't seen GSN in a couple years but I can guarantee this. They will NEVER be all the way back to their 1994-97 glory days when the GSN schedule was 24 hours of nothing but classics with no duplicated programs over the course of the day. You could tape it non-stop for weeks on-end and still end up with totally different vintage programming.

You can also add ESPN Classic, formerly Classic Sports Network which has ceased to be an outlet for showing vintage telecasts of great sports events and is now showing garbage on an almost constant basis punctuated only by a few good documentaries, but the days of looking to this channel to find a great old sports broadcast brought out of the vault are gone forever.

I have reached a point where cable only serves a purpose for me for news and current sports. For watching vintage TV my DVD collection, official and (ahem) unofficial sets more than satisfies my basic needs and I feel like I'm programming my own channel schedule that way.

GSN is the pits. Not the classic channel I once loved.

VH1 irritates me with its FABULOUS LIFE OF series hosted by Robin Leach. It is so annoying to think that people actually like watching how celebs live, what hotels they stay at, what stores they shop at, what car they drive...blah blah blah. I DON'T GIVE A F*CK. Use that programming time for something better.

Well, add SoapNet to this list! They're completely revamping their lineup come April 9th, airing two episodes a day of One Tree Hill and The O.C.

They're dumping reruns of AW completely and moving Port Charles and Ryan's Hope to weekends, same for Melrose Place.

Dallas has four airings a day. Not sure how many 90210 have. I love both shows but it's overkill.

Very very frustrating. We go from a network that had Falcon Crest, Sisters, Dynasty to One Tree Hill and The O.C.

TV Land, I think, is trying to improve. They re-added Addams and Munsters. Bumped up I Love Lucy a bit (or did briefly), tried Green Acres in evening slots ... There's a lot more they could do to improve but it seems obvious they are trying.

N@N could be better. Me, personally, I'm just pissed so many 80s shows were ignored by them in favor of shows that should be on TBS right now instead.

USA is a total shell of it's former self. Hallmark sucks. TNN is no more.

At least we have Sleuth and Chiller and TV One but I bet in a few years they'll change too.

I do have to add: thank god for Ion. I really hope they expand their schedule and eventually go 24 hours. Hell, I'd settle for 12 hours!

I have SoapNet and I only see DALLAS on the air twice a day.
What times does it air for you? I have never seen it on the schedule four times a day.

As for their adding the OC and that other god-awful piece of garbage, that is purely to attract the "younger viewing" audience, which sickens me because SoapNet wouldn't be where it is without US OLDER VIEWING AUDIENCE. I read the message boards on SoapNet and there are a lot of outraged people regarding the newest additions to SoapNet.

Dallas 4 times a day starts April 9th. Pav just posted the brand new schedule, which I already knew about. It's pure awful.

Dallas 4 times a day starts April 9th. Pav just posted the brand new schedule, which I already knew about. It's pure awful.
Yeah, I just noticed that. Thanx for the info anyways.

Yep, it is awful. I hate it and I feel like SoapNet is really going downhill now. I am wondering if DALLAS will be removed after this run. Bad enough they removed Knots Landing. :mad:

TV Land, I think, is trying to improve. They re-added Addams and Munsters. Bumped up I Love Lucy a bit (or did briefly), tried Green Acres in evening slots ... There's a lot more they could do to improve but it seems obvious they are trying.


I do have to add: thank god for Ion. I really hope they expand their schedule and eventually go 24 hours. Hell, I'd settle for 12 hours!


TVL does seem to be trying. If they could get some more new shows in to work with, maybe they could get back on track.

and I agree about ION! I hope they don't go down like the other networks have, but who knows.

I remember when nicklodeon aired great shows like Kenan & Kel and All That now its just this Drake & Josh & Ned's declassified crap. The last time I checked MTV stood for music television! Now they are mostly reality. Stupid ones like Next, and don't get me started on my super sweet 16. I miss MTV showing music!!!

Yes, ESPN Classic is another bone of contention. I am so damned sick of poker, bowling and boxing I could puke. They just run those three things in the ground. I think I have seen a total of 4 classic MLB games on there. And sports events from a year ago are NOT classic :rolleyes:

I have NEVER seen any of Indiana's three NCAA final games on there. Just the ones from 1979, 1982, 1984, and 1985. Those are the only four I have ever seen and those are not on very often. TV is just garbage anymore save for TCM and a couple of other channels.

N@N wouldn't be as bad if they had more variety, less overplaying, and the airing of episodes in order (not in some cycle or pattern)

Dallas 4 times a day starts April 9th. Pav just posted the brand new schedule, which I already knew about. It's pure awful.

But Dallas has over 14 seasons, at least they aren't running OC 4 times a day (only 4 seasons), it would be worse

I remember when nicklodeon aired great shows like Kenan & Kel and All That now its just this Drake & Josh & Ned's declassified crap. The last time I checked MTV stood for music television! Now they are mostly reality. Stupid ones like Next, and don't get me started on my super sweet 16. I miss MTV showing music!!!

Kenan & Kel great? You are probably just outside Nick's Demographic. The current Nick audience will be complaining about Nick's lineup in 10 years.

The Disney channel has gone downhill is it switched from a premium channel to a basic cable channel

Well, add SoapNet to this list! They're completely revamping their lineup come April 9th, airing two episodes a day of One Tree Hill and The O.C.

They're dumping reruns of AW completely and moving Port Charles and Ryan's Hope to weekends, same for Melrose Place.

That's it. I take back what I said about SoapNet. You know I really like OTH a lot, but IMO this show and The O.C. DO NOT fit on this channel. At. All. Period. The-N or ABCFamily, yes, but not SoapNet. I was so disappointed to recently find out they're basically screwing with their whole lineup. Ryan's Hope and Another World are great shows, and I hate to see them get jacked around like this. Screw them.

That's it. I take back what I said about SoapNet. You know I really like OTH a lot, but IMO this show and The O.C. DO NOT fit on this channel. At. All. Period. The-N or ABCFamily, yes, but not SoapNet. I was so disappointed to recently find out they're basically screwing with their whole lineup. Ryan's Hope and Another World are great shows, and I hate to see them get jacked around like this. Screw them.

These shows appeal to the audience that the advertisers want to target, does anyone under 25 even watch Daytime Soap Operas anymore?

Yeah, I just noticed that. Thanx for the info anyways.

Yep, it is awful. I hate it and I feel like SoapNet is really going downhill now. I am wondering if DALLAS will be removed after this run. Bad enough they removed Knots Landing. :mad:

Probably, that show doesn't appeal to anyone under 25. It will probably get replaced by Dawson's Creek

Probably, that show doesn't appeal to anyone under 25. It will probably get replaced by Dawson's Creek
Dawson already airs in syndication on another channel. The problem with SoapNet (and other stations) they are trying to gear to a younger crowd, as if they are the only ones who watch television. Dallas is WHAT MADE NIGHTTIME SOAPS, it shouldn't matter if it doesn't appeal to anyone under 25.

Dawson already airs in syndication on another channel. The problem with SoapNet (and other stations) they are trying to gear to a younger crowd, as if they are the only ones who watch television. Dallas is WHAT MADE NIGHTTIME SOAPS, it shouldn't matter if it doesn't appeal to anyone under 25.

Full House and Cosby are on multiple channels. The advertisers want a young crowd, it's about age, not necessary ratings.

These shows appeal to the audience that the advertisers want to target, does anyone under 25 even watch Daytime Soap Operas anymore?
Yes. I know plenty. I'm 21 and I do. People of just about all ages watch soap operas.
Dawson already airs in syndication on another channel.
From what I know last, it actually airs on two. TBS and The-N.

I'm sorry, but this new schedule that SoapNet is going to begin with next month IMHO is absolutely pathetic. Period. Demographic and age be damned.

These shows appeal to the audience that the advertisers want to target, does anyone under 25 even watch Daytime Soap Operas anymore?
Do you know anything about the daytime soap opera industry? The networks STRIVE to make the younger demographic happy. They no longer care about the increasingly falling household ratings. As long as they get their 18-49.

Actually, the man who is in charge of the SOAPnet massacre is also the same man who in charge of all of ABC's daytime schedule. This is the man who make the final decisions regarding three of television's most important series, "General Hospital," "One Life to Live," and "All My Children." He's managed to drive every single one of them straight into the ground and closer to cancellation.

Storrs 19, I am so glad you started this thread! I am in absolute one-thousand percent agreement with you.

I remember Cable TV as far back as 1981. Compared to now, it is a garbage scow verses what it used to be.

AMC used to be a great classic movie channel when they had hosts like Bob Dorian. Now they are worthless. I don't even have their channel programmed into my TV anymore. USA, Biography and A&E have also gone down 'the porcelain fixture' as well. TVL and N@N however, get the honors as the worst offenders.

TV Land is a total joke, an insane asylum of laughable programming missteps being run by people who make 'Michael' from 'The Office' look competent. I read someone complaining on their forum that TVL was now devoting 40 hours a week to showing one show, Gunsmoke! Can you imagine dedicating 40 hours of a 168 hour week to one show? And they don't even have all the episodes, just a subset of episodes being repeated over and over, ad neaseum! I have nothing personally against this show or Bonanza, but to show them every weekend all day continously is laughing hyena insanity. For pity's sake, if you want to broadcast them, show them once a day, ONCE!

TVL makes so many changes in their schedule from week to week that even the schedules in the local papers can't keep up.

They claim their target audience is the 25-54 demographic, followed by the over 55 crowd. This is complete nonsense. All the shows they have dropped in the last 5 years are shows baby boomers would want to see. They have replaced them with shows that appeal to the under 30 crowd only. As for people over 55, TVL apparently considers them already six feet under. I don't know anybody over 55 who even has the slightest interest in watching ANYTHING TVL broadcasts.

It used to be, both TVL and N@N were in the 'extended basic' channel lineup, the first tier up from the cheapest option- 'basic cable'. Nowdays, both of them are in the $13 a month 'cheapest' cable lineup. Why? It's pretty obvious. They've gone downhill. They've lost their status as being a draw to the next level of service and are down there with the other next-to-free choices.

They're becoming like that little free packet of oatmeal that comes packed in your morning paper, 'buy this and you'll get this little free trinket'---oatmeal with your paper, TVLand with your cable.

In the 1980's before TVL existed, N@N broadcast so many great shows from the classic 50's and 60's decades of TV. I can remember them broadcasting one of my favorite rarely seen 1950's shows, Private Secretary with Ann Sothern. (She had been nominated for an Oscar in 1987 for 'The Whales Of August', perhaps that is why they chose her.) They even took chances on broadcasting little seen shows like George Burns 'Wendy and Me' from 1964, with Connie Stevens playing the ditzy Gracie Allen character.

I've been tempted to contact my Cable provider and ask them to drop TVL. The only problem is that there is nothing good I can suggest to replace them with.

Why, with cable TV having, as we have all heard,"over 500 channels" can't I have one, ONE channel with great classic programming from the 1950's and 1960's? Not something mucked up with 80's and 90's crap, or shows designed to appeal to the 25 and under crowd?

Don't leave TNN out. Now, I realize it's undergone quite a few changes (The Nashville Network, to The National Network, to Spike), but back in 2000? or so I remember Newhart, WKRP, The Waltons, Facts of Life, Diff'rent Strokes, etc. I don't even know WHAT they show now, but last I checked it was boring and lots of repeats.I was also a big TNN fan back then before they crapped it up. There was no annoying corporate logo pimpin' with the spammy watermark incrustations at the bottom right of the screen and Starsky & Hutch (http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=556) reruns aired twice daily.

The same problem has existed up here in Canada. Many years ago, a number of stations showed classic shows from the 50s and 60s, most notably CKVR TV in Barrie, CTS in its infancy, and PRIME, which is now TVTropolis. You not only had the traditional favourites like "I Love Lucy", "Andy Griffith", and "Happy Days", to name a few, but also a few rare gems like "McHale's Navy", "Car 54", "Petticoat Junction", and "My Three Sons". PRIME was also one of the first channels in North America to show the first 2 seasons of "Bewitched", which hadn't been seen since the 60s. Not only that, CTS featured all 12 seasons of "My Three Sons" from beginning to end, another rare and commendable feat. Needless to say, that has all changed today and, in my opinion, for the worse. Right now, the best channels to watch for classic TV are DejaView and TVLand Canada (a pale imitation of the original) on digital TV and SUN TV on basic cable. The one problem I have with SUN TV is their lineup has too many bad Canadian series on it. If they can find a way to add more US imports without breaking the "Canadian content" rules, which all channels have to follow up here, then I say go for it! Until then, we can only hope and pray (and pray heavily) for better days ahead.

TNN was such a great channel. I watched it all the time from about 1999 to 2003. Even throughout the format changes it went through, there were always some great shows on it. "Alice," "Dallas," "The Real McCoys," and "Cagney and Lacey" were on during the Nashville Network days (though I never understood how C&L fit with the Nashville theme).

And then it became The National Network and offered up sitcoms like "Three's Company," "Diff'rent Strokes," "Newhart," "WKRP in Cincinatti," and "The Wonder Years."

By the time it became "The New TNN," they started to remove a lot of those shows in preparation for what would soon become SpikeTV, perhaps the worst cable channel I've ever heard of in my entire life.

The worst ones imo are:
-Disney Channel. I remember when this was a premium channel and got excited to see it on free preview days.
-Nickelodeon. I remember watching Salute Your Shorts, Pete and Pete, and Double Dare just to name a few. The shows on now are really crappy except for the very select few.
-Nick at Nite. Practically all the classic shows I've come to love, started by watching Nick@Nite. Now, I can barely keep it on before I start to get sick of it.
-CMT. Um, last I checked, Trick My Trick has nothing to do with country music. They don't show many country videos anymore. Good thing I have GAC.
-TNN. The Nashville Network had much better programming than what Spike TV has now.
-Hallmark Channel. What happened to the sitcoms? I don't care for so much drama.
-Cartoon Network. If this is for cartoons, why do I see live action shows sometimes?

I did notice something though. Note who the parent company is of the channels you don't like anymore.
Viacom owns MTV, Nick, Nick at Nite, TV Land, CMT, Spike TV, VH1, BET, Comedy Central, and more.
Turner Broadcasting owns Cartoon Network, TBS, TNT, TCM, and more.

Maybe the problem lies in the parent company.

The worst ones imo are:

-CMT. Um, last I checked, Trick My Trick has nothing to do with country music. They don't show many country videos anymore. Good thing I have GAC.


CMT has become a country version of MTV, they don't play country videos anymore, why don't they just add The Real World: Nashville or The Real World: Dallas

The worst ones imo are:
-Disney Channel. I remember when this was a premium channel and got excited to see it on free preview days.
-Nickelodeon. I remember watching Salute Your Shorts, Pete and Pete, and Double Dare just to name a few. The shows on now are really crappy except for the very select few.
-Nick at Nite. Practically all the classic shows I've come to love, started by watching Nick@Nite. Now, I can barely keep it on before I start to get sick of it.
-CMT. Um, last I checked, Trick My Trick has nothing to do with country music. They don't show many country videos anymore. Good thing I have GAC.
-TNN. The Nashville Network had much better programming than what Spike TV has now.
-Hallmark Channel. What happened to the sitcoms? I don't care for so much drama.
-Cartoon Network. If this is for cartoons, why do I see live action shows sometimes?

I did notice something though. Note who the parent company is of the channels you don't like anymore.
Viacom owns MTV, Nick, Nick at Nite, TV Land, CMT, Spike TV, VH1, BET, Comedy Central, and more.
Turner Broadcasting owns Cartoon Network, TBS, TNT, TCM, and more.

Maybe the problem lies in the parent company.

These channels get ratings (somehow), the problem is cable became mainstream

V20:

I see you like the same shows I do. I remember N@N showing Ann Sothern, Dobie Gillis, Dennis The Menace, Car 54, My Three Sons, Patty Duke, Donna Reed, and a good many other great shows. For some reason B&W programming is just a sin these days.

It is very sad as I don't see any of the above mentioned coming to dvd any time soon (if ever). We got cable tv in 1977 and boy how it has changed in thirty years. I remember the "big thing" about it was "no commercials" and more channels to watch with great reception. Well, the last part has held up at least. :rolleyes:

TNN
TBS
USA
GSN
Nick at Nite
TVLAND

V20:
For some reason B&W programming is just a sin these days.
:

Probably the same thing with anything in SD in 50 years.

TNN was such a great channel. I watched it all the time from about 1999 to 2003. Even throughout the format changes it went through, there were always some great shows on it. "Alice," "Dallas," "The Real McCoys," and "Cagney and Lacey" were on during the Nashville Network days (though I never understood how C&L fit with the Nashville theme).

And then it became The National Network and offered up sitcoms like "Three's Company," "Diff'rent Strokes," "Newhart," "WKRP in Cincinatti," and "The Wonder Years."

By the time it became "The New TNN," they started to remove a lot of those shows in preparation for what would soon become SpikeTV, perhaps the worst cable channel I've ever heard of in my entire life.
The only show on Spike that's any good is The Shield.

no; "DIRT" is pretty good.

remember when THE DISNEY CHANNEL used to show all the old Disney shows and cartoons? And the old family comedies of theirs; like THE SHAGGY DOG, FOLLOW ME, BOYS etc.
Now all they show is those kids shows. I read somwhere that when they took off all their old shows, cartoons, and movies, "a LOT of baby-boomers got MAD AS HELL" at them and were sending them angry e-mails, letters, and phone calls. Obviosly, all that didn't do any good. They said at the time that they "weren't slamming the door on classic Disney shows and cartoons, and they have a show called CLUB DISNEY that shows some of the cartoons".

Well; I've seen that show and it SUCKS!!

I agree with everyone. Or at least those that I've read.

Storrs19, I agree that I see very little chance of our favorites ever coming to DVD.

When I go to tvshowsondvd.com, I see no mention at all of any 1950's/1960's programs from the black and white era being released on DVD, or even any discusion of them being considered as DVD releases.

I heard that a lot of the 50s and 60s black and white shows don't do that good on DVD. Not just the black and white ones, but sometimes the early color ones too.
They were dissapointed with the poor performances of SGT. BILCO and GOOD MORNING WORLD.

WTF. Were they honestly expecting "Good Morning World" to bring out good numbers?!

The disappointing sales on Bilko I can understand as influencing a studio's decision, but with GMW that makes no sense because it was put out by an independent label.

At least GMW being a one season show was the kind of release where if you wanted it, you never had to worry about sales at all! (likewise Gidget).

I heard that a lot of the 50s and 60s black and white shows don't do that good on DVD. Not just the black and white ones, but sometimes the early color ones too.
They were dissapointed with the poor performances of SGT. BILCO and GOOD MORNING WORLD.

I know this is a bit off-topic, but did these companies ever consider releasing some of these shows but maybe in a smaller quantity? Instead of mass-producing a half a million DVDs (or whatever the standard number is, which I really have no idea!) for any show released, why not only release 100,000 or so and see how the sales go? I'm sure they can always produce more if they underestimate the demand. :confused:

I have sent my Cable TV provider, Comcast, an e-mail asking them to consider adding ME-TV to their lineup AND to drop 'TV Wasteland' from their lineup.

I told them if ME-TV was added to their extended basic or digital lineup of channels I would upgrade to that service just to get ME-TV.

If many of us who have Cable TV service through Comcast would do the same thing, who knows what might happen.

I have sent my Cable TV provider, Comcast, an e-mail asking them to consider adding ME-TV to their lineup AND to drop 'TV Wasteland' from their lineup.

I told them if ME-TV was added to their extended basic or digital lineup of channels I would upgrade to that service just to get ME-TV.

If many of us who have Cable TV service through Comcast would do the same thing, who knows what might happen.


I have a better idea, at least in my opinion it is better. Why not e-mail the ME-TV people and ask them if they could stream it like RTN does with their Buffalo station? That way people from all over North America can enjoy it! Incidentally RTN will go national in 3 months. I can't wait to see the schedule they come up with. I hope I won't be disappointed by it like other channels that we know.

If you want to know another good reason why Black & White sitcoms from the 50s and 60s don't get shown often enough on TV, I found another piece of evidence at my local library and I thought I'd share it with you today. It's from a book I picked up and borrowed called "Television Without Pity: 752 Things We Love To Hate (And Hate To Love) About TV" by Tara Ariano and Sarah D. Bunting. They are also the authors of the Television Without Pity website, where you can go and give them heck after you've read this.

In the book, they talk about the things that they love and hate about TV, naturally emphasizing the hate, breaking them down into different categories and giving their opinions on each one. The one that I found most disturbing was entitled "Sitcoms, Unfunniness of Seminal". It's on pages 245 and 246. Here are the highlights, or lowlights, if you prefer:

"There's an episode of Seinfeld in which Jerry tells one of his paramours that he's never watched 'I Love Lucy'. Neither have we, and here's why: If it's in black and white, it's not funny.Black-and-white dramas from yesteryear can still entertain us. But humor doesn't age well---particularly not humor from the '50s. Lucy's attempts at social climbing, Ralph Kramden's many schemes, and Jethro Bodine's borderline retardation are just so witless that now, when we can watch any number of still crappy yet superior sitcoms in syndication, instead, we just...can't. Shut up, slapstick."

Pretty strong words, don't you think? Naturally, I disagree emphatically! What the authours are basically saying is this:

Lucy trying to sell Vitameatavegamin --- not funny

Ralph Kramden promising Alice a free trip to the moon --- not funny

Laura Petrie telling a TV audience that Alan Brady is bald --- not funny

The Beaver falling inside a giant soup bowl --- not funny

I could go on but you get the idea. I suppose the only defense I would have for the ladies is that these shows have been on for so long and so often that simply watching them again and again can leave you bored and jaded. Also, the plots, situations, subject matters, and general references may seem dated to a much younger audience. But then I stop and ask why these shows are still seen on TV 45 or 50 years later. It's because there is still a demand for them. People still want to see them and they don't care if they get tired from watching them because these series really are funny. So why don't channels like TV Land have them on more often? I guess it's because the quote I've just copied from the book has become the rule, rather than the exception, as to the way some people feel about them. This is just wrong and something should be done about it, mainly putting people in charge of the cable stations and DVD companies that will listen to us for a change and put on some of the older and better shows, instead of what we're getting now. For now I would recommend the following alternatives:


TV stations:

DejaView (Canada), SUN TV (Canada), ME-TV Chicago, RTN (various locations around the US)

Websites:

In2TV (US only), YouTube, LikeTelevision, TV4U (an excellent place to watch popular---and rare!--- 50s and 60s sitcoms)

You can add your own choices to this list if you wish.

These will have to do until certain networks smarten up. What the heck, I may never go back!