[xtinct]

[Old Grumpy]

This is a very good and truthful article.

[JamesP81]

It's not much better in the news division, especially on cable, where female anchors and reporters resemble Barbie doll cutouts.

The anchor-babe phenomenon.

[Spok]

“Even when they’re not “re-runs,” the plots are mostly re-runs.”

Story lines on television insult the alleged intelligence of its audience. TV writers routinely disregard Mark Twain’s observation that ‘the difference between fact and fiction is that fiction has to be plausible.’

[posterchild]

There are a few good things on, but the vast majority of the stuff that needs writers and laugh tracks has been bad for several decades. Why did he need to wait for a strike to turn that crap off?

[stevie_d_64]

Female "scientists" on the crime shows display enough cleavage that if the commercial were for Victoria's Secret, viewers wouldn't notice the transition.

Yes, I have to admit, the few times I have seen female scientist cleavage I was incredibly impressed!

They have Victoria's Secrets commercials!!! Holy Toledo Batman!!! ;-)

[Disambiguator]

Female "scientists" on the crime shows display enough cleavage that if the commercial were for Victoria's Secret, viewers wouldn't notice the transition.

No wonder CSI is so popular, and so many guys are going to school to be forensic scientists.

[Zuben Elgenubi]

On the really bright side, we'll get more "must flee" TV like Dog. There's no scripts to write, just this wanna-be doing what he wants to do.

[Theresawithanh]

Great article! I have no problem fleeing TV, except for watching sports, cartoons, and the wonderful movies from the time when great movies were made.

[vpintheak]

I was talking to my wife about this a few nights ago. I was telling here that there are no family comidies or shows on during prime time any more. If there are families on shows, the kids are either not shown but for a few seconds or they are a huge inconvinience to the parents. All the jokes are about sex and are very vulgar. I know I am not being that much of a prude.

[BBell]

The Writers Guild strike has no effect on me. I don't watch any of the kind of shows that would be effected. Except Southpark and I'm not sure if the strike applies to them.

Anne rules!!!

[durasell]

What’s on TV is what people watch. The folks who produce the shows and those who buy the commercial time that makes the shows possible are not in business to amuse themselves.

[goldstategop]

You won't miss anything but liberal propaganda. Be thankful the libs have gone out on strike.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[peteram]

Several years back I decided to cut the cable because the R.O.I. was not there. I think I might have watched TV once that month so I figured why pay for something I never really use?

I suppose once NTSC goes away altogether, replaced by Digital/HD, then I’ll have to get rid of my like new, 1996 21-inch TV (hardly used). Probably won’t get much for it on ebay.

[Cicero]

TV fries your brain.

[RetSignman]

[...real audiences laughed (or didn’t laugh) at comedy shows]

I think one of the reasons “Office” is so successful...no laugh track.

[Patriotic1]

Does anyone remember when Soap came on the air years and years ago? I barely remember the scandal it caused (I was very young then), but it is so tame to what is on now.

[jrsmc]

The best TV was the 2000 Presidential election.

Lots of Bush and Gore.

[Uncle Meat]

It's not much better in the news division, especially on cable, where female anchors and reporters resemble Barbie doll cutouts.

What the hell does he want?Big fat,hairy dykey,Rosie looking skanks reporting the news?There's nothing wrong with some eye candy now.

[GAB-1955]

We gave up on most TV. We will watch NFL games and the local weather, but I’ve found BBC Radio and Australia’s Radio National provide more mental stimulation. Programs my wife and I like include:

In Our Time (Radio 4) with Melvyn Bragg and a panel of three discussing everything from science to art to history to philosophy

The Choir (Radio 3) with Aled Jones

Composer of the Week (Radio 3) - my wife’s must-hear program

Friday Night is Music Night (Radio 2) with Aled Jones - light music, but stuff I haven’t heard in years.

Various dramas and comedy on Radio 7, including the Terry Pratchett stuff.

About half the dramas on Radio 3 on Sunday night

I’m Sorry, I Haven’t a Clue (Radio 4)

From Australia:

Singers of Renown (Radio National)

The Philosopher’s Zone with Alan Saunders (Radio National)

All in the Mind with Natasha Mitchell (Radio National)

The Science Show with Rob Williams (Radio National) (even if he is a dogmatic evolutionist)

For the God Who Sings (Classical Radio); I play it Sunday mornings here.

From WFMT in Chicago:

The Lyric Opera

The New York Philharmonic.

The Met, when it comes on for the season.

From KING-FM in Seattle:

The opera recording at 7:00 local time Saturday night.

The only time I listen to local radio is in the car, and that is a 10 minute drive.

Who’s got time for TV? I have books and other things to keep my mind busy!