Watching the ‘Biggest Loser’ last night (don’t ask….) got me thinking about reality tv versus classic. In my television watching lifetime to date, much has changed. ‘When I were a young lass’ we had BBC1, 2 and ITV – full stop. I actually remember the launch of Channel 4 in 1982 (yikes – nearly 30 years ago) and the days when you could only receive a tv signal via aerial or cable. We now also have satellite and broadband, along with the ability to watch live television on mobile devices, and the switchover to digital, underway since 2008, is due to be completed next year. Soon the aerial will be relegated to the scrapheap along with the gramophone, tape recorder, and soon probably the fax machine, CD player and landline telephone, amongst others. (By the way, if you want to know more about the switchover, this link may help: http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/what__and__why/tv_explained)
Anyway, I digress - back to reality versus classic – I’d like to know your views. Despite loving classic tv, I also, uncharacteristically, used to be a devoted fan of the X-Factor for a few seasons (tragic I know). However I can formally announce that I have now had my fill. Unlike the ‘classics’ such as Only Fools and Horses (to which I shall keep returning), there is definitely a limit to how many ‘people just like us’ can be watched singing karaoke, publicly losing weight (admirable though that is) or having their house made over. I am going to conduct an experiment and attempt to veto reality programmes for an (unspecified) period of time and watch only the classics……let’s see what choice of programmes I actually get.
Please let me know your views on the subject – what do you see as ‘real’ entertainment and why? Do you think reality tv adds much to our lives; does it make us feel better or worse about ourselves? Should it be increased/limited/banned completely? What classic tv programmes should be reinstated if the amount of reality programmes is reduced?
Not sure that a return to classic tv is needed just more quality. Amazes me that the likes of Mastermind and University Challenge return year after year with little change to their format - other than a change of questionmaster. But the same can be said of Eastenders which i dont watch.
ReplyDeleteGot me thinking of old favs from childhood - Onedin Line, eagerly watched by the whole family on a weekend. Good plot, good acting, I'm not sure, but the music is still remembered. Others are Rockford Files, CrackerJack and the Generation Game. Now games shows have only been popular, but talent shows I've never been a fan of. Is that just a generation thing?
Ah, you're just fishing for a rant now ...
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness - The Onedin Line - that brings back childhood memories - James Onedin with his massive sideburns and his wife (?) was beautiful and quite posh - I remember dreaming that I would look like her when I grew up!!
ReplyDeleteHere's the title track - brings me out in goose bumps!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vx7RWW36wes
P.S And quit your 'bah humbug' attitude towards ranting Mr Robinson - it's between 12 and 2pm after all!!
ReplyDeleteMy ideal classic was the test card during the day. Since then TV has become the "opiate of the people" (with apologies to Karl Marx). The nonstop dumbed down viewing just encourages indolence as it robs the idle of the opportunity to spurred into useful activity by boredom. Bring back "Top of the Form" and ask today's thickos the same questions as yesteryear. Now that would be riveting viewing.
ReplyDeleteSo DL, when is this abstinence starting and how long is the 'unspecified' period going to last? If you are only going to watch classics - what is the cut off date - ie before what date does the first episode of the show have to have been made? Can we run a book on how long it is going to last before the temptation of X factor, BGT or Location, Location overwhelm you?!
ReplyDeleteoooh, first ever blog entry! So, slightly bypassing the reality tv debate... i sadly do still watch some... although proud to admit by no means all reality tv... i think Top of the Pops has to be somewhere in the list of classics... it has probably been part of most TV watching generations viewing history...... not sure when it started, but cant help but feel that should maybe be one of the ones on the list for being reinstated...
ReplyDeletethe above comment is actually Sian - just dont know how to make it say that!!
ReplyDeleteAwardthemyth - period of abstinence has already started...unspecified period deliberately vague as I'm not sure how strong I can be - Relocation Down Under is having a particular pull at this time of year!! With respect to classics - I don't think dates come into it. Classic can actually be modern - so I'm actually allowed to watch Eastenders I reckon... am I?!
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining us Chris/Sian! TOTP was around for 42 years - it was first broadcast on 1 January 1964 and finished 30 July 2006 so an absolutely integral part of our TV watching lifetime. When I was at boarding school we were allowed to choose 2 programmes to watch a week - TOTP was one, the other was The Professionals. In fact I remember writing to Jim'll Fix It - 'Dear Jim - will you please fix it for me to appear in a episode of the Professionals!' Now that really was a classic series.
ReplyDeleteI agree with TOTP being reinstated - now who would be your top 3 acts if that happened? Mine would - unsurprisingly for anyone who knows me - be:
1. Take That
2. Gary Barlow singing solo
3. Robbie Williams...
do you think I am obsessed...??!! What would yours be?