MovieChat Forums > Hatfields & McCoys (2012) Discussion > 'History Channel' more like the 'Red-nec...

'History Channel' more like the 'Red-neck Channel'

posted 12 years ago by DoctorDeNada
96 replies | jump to latest

I am a fan of history and really enjoyed the History Channel, back when there was actually history on the Channel. Ove the last few years I've watched their programming move away from serious history to silly sudo-history reality TV shows like Ice Road Truckers, Ax Men, American Pickers, Pawn Stars and the Swamp People.

Besides having very little do with history (Pawn Stars and American Pickers are really pushing it) what does all these show have in common? They are all programs geared to entertain red-necks. And now they finally decide to do a mini-series (which I've been surprised they haven't done before) and what is the subject matter they pick to do it on? The Hatfields and McCoys. Well, at least it's history, but I'm trying to think what story they will do their next mini-series on. Bootlegging and the creation of Nascar?

Don't confuse my lack of funds for company loyalty.

[–] Ltrazordaddio 12 years ago

Doctor... I completely agree with the statements made in your opening post... the channel that some how still has the nerve to call itself HISTORY is just a cesspool of cheaply produced, pseudo-reality soap operas, that cater to the lowest denominator... the channel is a disgrace to the word "History"...

BTW... the latest addition to the POS channel is MOUNTAIN MEN... another cheaply produced, pseudo-reality, soap opera, about imbred, toothless backwoods families that go around killing wildlife....

"I don't argue with idiots, they bring me down to their level and beat me with experience

[–] 12 years ago

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[–] Seymour-Pats 12 years ago

Yeah, Larry the Cable Guy is on the History Channel too. And that Mountain Men show looks beyond ridiculous. How hardcore can they really be with a production crew following them around?

I wish the History Channel would do more docu-dramas like this one and more documentaries. At this point, I'd take those crazy Ancient Aliens guys - at least they're talking about history, even if it's totally reinterpreted. It's closer to history than tractor trailers driving on ice.

[–] lawrenceb56 12 years ago

"What does all these shows have in common?"--Well, if you're trying to convince the History Channel to expand past the redneck base, you might want to check your wording.

[–] 12 years ago

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[–] wrenskibaby 12 years ago

Ugh, another unfortunate stereotype in the words "trailer trash." But I do see your point.

[–] Tigre01 12 years ago

I'm so glad I'm not the only one that is sad that channels like History Channel, Discovery, A&E, and NatGeo are no longer what they use to be. The really sad thing is they make a second channel to shut all of us up that aren't into the new CRAP and the new channel slowly morphs into the crap were trying to escape. They're all following in MTV's footsteps so if you watched MTV in the 80's then you know what's going to happen to all the stations.

I find myself watching more and more content on PBS family stations because cable tv is turning into *beep* The majority of the sport stations are the only ones that are staying true to their roots.

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[–] tperkin52 12 years ago

Agreed! but in general most of the real history stuff is shown on H2

[–] thesearchforbigfoot 12 years ago

I completely agree with the OP. The History Channel has been reduced to lowest common denominator trash TV designed to appeal to retarded rednecks. It's absolute garbage and there's nothing historical about it. They changed their slogan to "history made every day" so they can get away with showing dog *beep* reality shows.

Even this mini series was about an event that's of little historical significance to anyone aside from rednecks.

It's a symptom of how dumb and anti-intellectual the US has gotten.

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[–] WVfilmfem 12 years ago

I actually agree with you, Takoma, that History Channel has deteriorated terribly. It used to be why I subscribed to Cable, but with the decline of the channel, I actually cancelled cable TV. That said, this series of Hatfields and McCoys is actually a good production, so you should actually watch it before lambasting it!

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[–] tody711 12 years ago

History CHannel has bought the series The Vikings to be shown in 2013. The Vikings is NOT a red-neck show...
I am going to watch the whole H & M mini-series all over again on Saturday. And the H & M documentary .... Not redneck shows.

[–] 12 years ago

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[–] Rockhound6165 12 years ago

I always love elitists thumbing their nose at the "common folk". Tell you elitists what, if some tragedy should befall us all and you all are running around like chickens with their heads cut off, those rednecks you're looking down your nose at will be laughing at you.

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[–] Props001 12 years ago

Elitists? Is that what they call people that don't wear American attire accompanied with pins, hat's 'n flags? Btw, intelligent people know how to survive as well as use firearms(I'm pretty sure the first gun was crafted by the village nerd)...it has nothing to do with religion & inbreeding and living in the woods.

What's unfortunate none the less, we constantly find ways to divide ourselves...but at least I don't here us yanks saying, "the north will rise again".

I apologize for the trolling comments above.

Also I'm in agreement with the OP. There really aren't many educational shows on TV.

[–] kswitch9 12 years ago

saying "the north will rise again" is beyond moronic because the north hasn't gone anywhere. that's why no one says it.

i agree with everything else you said, though. i've actually been complaining about it since tlc became the baby channel and discovery went the way of 'the deadliest catch' and 'overhaulin' and 'monster garage'.

at least we still have the science channel.

[–] Ltrazordaddio 12 years ago

"I completely agree with the OP. The History Channel has been reduced to lowest common denominator trash TV designed to appeal to retarded rednecks. It's absolute garbage and there's nothing historical about it. They changed their slogan to "history made every day" so they can get away with showing dog *beep* reality shows.

Even this mini series was about an event that's of little historical significance to anyone aside from rednecks.

It's a symptom of how dumb and anti-intellectual the US has gotten."

YES !!! I agree with most of the posters on here that the channel that still has the gall to call itself HISTORY, has become a cesspool of garbage programming.... the channel is a disgrace to the very word "History" and I haven't watched it since 2007, this after my tuner was glued to it... the few posters I don't agree with are the usual Channel Shills that come on these threads and spout the company line....

"I don't argue with idiots, they bring me down to their level and beat me with experience"

[–] kbarada 12 years ago

by Ltrazordaddio 3 days ago (Tue May 29 2012 20:25:12)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I was elated to see that a professionally produced, "History" based Movie with Professional Actors, shown on a Channel that still has the nerve to call itself HISTORY received 13.9 million Neilsen Viewers.... a record breaking amount for HISTORY... beating out the old record holder, that cheaply produced, faked, staged, pseudo-reality soap opera piece of garbage YAWN STARS by 2 to 3 times their amount of Neilsen Viewers....

Maybe that "History hating" CEO will finally figure out that when people that have an interest in "History" tune to a channel called HISTORY... they expect to see "History"... and not garbage pawned off as "History Made Every Day".

"I don't argue with idiots, they bring me down to their level and beat me with experience

Now wait just a minute Ltrazordaddio. You are so hypocritical! Just three days ago you were "elated" to see the Hatfields and McCoys on the History Channel. (see your quote above) Now you have flip/flopped. What gives? Did you realize rednecks can enjoy quality programming in addition to being entertained by other History Channel programs? I don't think you have watched even one minute of this mini series.

[–] jriddle73 12 years ago

And now they finally decide to do a mini-series (which I've been surprised they haven't done before) and what is the subject matter they pick to do it on? The Hatfields and McCoys. Well, at least it's history

...and that's the reason your complaint is, in my view, rather misguided. Much of the History Channel's programming these days has absolutely nothing to do with history. HATFIELDS & McCOYS does, which is a very refreshing change of pace, and it has the added benefit of being quite good. Now that it's been successful, there may be more to follow. I'd much rather have them put their money into projects of this nature than UFOs, pawn shop crap (they're launching another of those soon), monster hunters, ice road truckers, loggers, and the rest of the garbage that has made the History Channel a wasteland at which I rarely even look anymore.

---
"The Dig"
http://cinemarchaeologist.blogspot.com/

[–] DoctorDeNada 12 years ago

No, I agree... My "complaint" was not that they did a mini-series, it's with all the reality TV crap they try to pass off as history. As well as the complaint that most of these reality TV shows seem to be geared towards red-necks. But it is funny that the one program they've done on the History Channel in the past few years that actually involve history also was designed to entertain red-necks.

The Hatfields and McCoys was okay... not great, but worth watching. I wish they would get back to history and not red-neck entertainment.

Don't confuse my lack of funds for company loyalty.

[–] 12 years ago

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[–] daggers-1 12 years ago

"Rednecks" are a large part of American history. The fact that the term exists in common use proves that.

Love em or hate em, they're more interesting than bankers and famous-for-being-famous "personalities."

http://www.MichaelZWilliamson.com

[–] 12 years ago

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[–] lizcarlo87 12 years ago

What a bunch of snobs. I dont know how they portray rednecks on the reality shows. There is nothing wrong with rednecks who hunt. Not all of them are stupid. I wish they would show real History instead of reality tv.

[–] DoctorDeNada 12 years ago

Why is it that just because you point out that the programming is geared towards red-necks that automatically means you are dissing that demographic. Obviously, that demographic is paying the bills for the "History Channel".

But the facts are there is very little history on the History Channel anymore.

Don't confuse my lack of funds for company loyalty.

[–] lizcarlo87 12 years ago

I don't know any rednecks who like History channel. They don't like the reality tv. If they want History they pick up a book. Yes rednecks can read to. People like you always have your noise in the air about certain people. You obviously have it set in your brain that rednecks are idiots.