History Channel

Did they at least correctly show how Tesla got... (can't say here;-) in the end??

Good catch Arthur! I enjoy most of the History Channel series but I also know that TV programs rarely let the facts get in the way of a good story.

TJ

I gave up when the producers kept showing Commodore Vanderbilt on his VERY British steam train!

Jon

I haven't watched the History Channel for many years, ever since they became "reality TV", in my opinion.

I, too, got a real kick out of seeing that segment! A '50s-era steam locomotive (no tender) circling on 3-rail O gauge track. Okey-dokey, but neither was even close to existing in Edison's time. Still, a nice plug for electric toy trains.

Unfortunately, the so-called “History Channel” has always been a wasted opportunity.  Real history is almost always more interesting than the BS they consistently serve up. I don’t even bother with them because of this.

George

@G3750 posted:

Unfortunately, the so-called “History Channel” has always been a wasted opportunity.  Real history is almost always more interesting than the BS they consistently serve up. I don’t even bother with them because of this.

George

I agree. The History part of the History Channel except for some repeats is a thing of the past. I was involved with the series "Warriors" in which we did 11 episodes, even though the sponsors loved them, we stopped filming them when we were advised that they would be heading in a different direction, reality type shows. Though, some are interesting, especially "Forged in Fire", most are sad excuses, have nothing to do with History and 90% wouldn't be picked up by another network. But, that's satellite TV, were someone, independent filmakers as we were that someone will pick up a show to fill their time slots no matter how ridiculous the show is, and 1 or 2 people may actually enjoy watching them.

@Hot Water posted:

I haven't watched the History Channel for many years, ever since they became "reality TV", in my opinion.

Ditto, there's no History in the History Channel anymore.

superwarp1 - Maybe that's indicative of how 'old' we're all getting. 

@Arthur P. Bloom posted:

At one point, Morgan stands transfixed in Edison's laboratory, -- in the late 1870's one assumes -- watching a 1950's era Lionel steam engine model, without a tender, go around and around on an oval of three-rail 027-profile track. The train is powered by what appears to be a Lionel model 1015 transformer, which, of course, relies on alternating current for operation. 

Arthur, this wasn't by chance an episode from "Drunk History," where the storytellers in the series read up on the stories while sober, then repeat them after getting drunk? 

Jim

I still like these and some other programs on the History Channel; mainly industrial-revolution history, inventors, and capitalism - including the great captains of industry who, like them or not, enabled prosperity and a way of life that many people today either take for granted or don't know the fascinating history of how it all came about. I chalk up the gaffes to limited budgets, amateur film crews and lack of research - which seems apropos for today's media.

@superwarp1 posted:

Ditto, there's no History in the History Channel anymore.

I used to call it the Hitler channel because in the beginning, all they seemed to have was WWII documentaries.  How things change.

Brendan

The tons of commercial interruptions, plus the constant repeating of everything that they just showed your prior to the commercial (in cause you "just tuned in"), killed the History Channel for me.  It takes an hour for them to convey 12 minutes of film footage, and often their explanations seem geared to a 5th grader.

Mannyrock

Wow, I'm glad that some of you agree with me. I thought my disdain for the H Channel was brought on by impatience due to advancing age and inability to cut slack for morons.  I hope that the National Geographic channel stays the course and doesn't fall prey to the new lowered intellectual level that seems to afflict us these days.

While I'm venting about the "vast wasteland,"  I watch most NFL games and MLB games with the sound off, and Italian opera playing in the background. So much non-stop BS and bad grammar from the "personalities," (except Michael Kay and Joe Buck)  -- I can't shoot the TV -- LED screens are too expensive and just don't implode like the good ol' CRT's of yesteryear, and the noise would disturb the cat.

I generally watch football and baseball with the sound off too. Never thought about opera as an audio substitute though. I used to listen to opera on the in flight channels when I was on long flights. Not sure why but, I found it was incredibly relaxing for me.

Curt

"The Vikings" was an excellent History Channel program, top notch battle scenes. Recently, they've been showing Modern Marvels, some very interesting subjects.

I very seldom watch a show when it is "live" transmitted.  I DVR it and fast forward thru the commercials and anything that does not cut it like the pitiful History channel stuff you all are posting about.  This really shortens the sporting shows and most news shows too.

Charlie

@Brendan posted:

I used to call it the Hitler channel because in the beginning, all they seemed to have was WWII documentaries.  How things change.

Brendan

Was it the Discovery Channel that used to have the "Wings" programs on aircraft?

Maybe the History Channel will now have programs on building construction.

When resting the body I go to TV based You Tube and speak in whatever I want to see.  Only get 5 second commercials.

Other "reality" TV,   I just capture the principles name and maybe a geo location, then Wiki the info, read for 3 minutes to get the whole otherwise wasted hour then get back to train time.

Unbelievable how the masses can be shifted to idle with screen time.

Maybe a helpful tip.   I found out many years ago, that it was much better to watch an NFL game, if you turn off the sound, and tune your radio into a local sports announcer who is announcing the game!   Of course, this only works if your home town team is playing, but the radio guys stick to the subject and action at hand, without all of the non-stop babble and back-stories by the t.v. announcers

@Mannyrock posted:

The tons of commercial interruptions, plus the constant repeating of everything that they just showed your prior to the commercial (in cause you "just tuned in"), killed the History Channel for me.  It takes an hour for them to convey 12 minutes of film footage, and often their explanations seem geared to a 5th grader.

Mannyrock

That could be because the relative intelligence of the American populace seems to hover around that grade level.

Do you remember the TV quiz show, "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader" hosted by comedian Jeff Foxworthy ? Almost universally, the contestants verified the answer to that question in the negative.

PS - many local TV stations re-broadcast their team's games in a special 2-hour format with limited commercial breaks either later that night or the next day - especially watchable for pro football and baseball games.