Turn it off, it's no good for me

[altariel]

I didn't get where I am today by switching off the television, and so I think that the "Turnoff TV" campaign reported in this article is, in my thoroughly considered and exquisitely argued opinion, largely elitist bollocks. I'd agree that there's a certain nostalgia about 1970s telly which tends to gloss over the memories of, say, the toe-curlingly, jaw-grindingly awful sexism.

FWIW, I think there's a bit of a TV renaissance going on at the moment here in Britain, and I'm not just talking about Doctor Who; a peek around the BBC Four site is a good place to start. Anyway, what about multitasking? Experience tells me it's relatively easy to learn how to loll drooling in front of the box with your slack jaw propped up on an open book.

Comments

[iainjcoleman.livejournal.com]

TV was mainly shit in the late 90s, but it's got better in the last couple of years. I approve strongly of the Beeb's digital channels - they work very well as a way of trying out unusual, risky or just plain obscure programming, which can then transfer to terrestrial if it grabs an audience.

I don't watch films very much, hardly ever go to the cinema, but I fucking love telly. Don't know quite why, but I think it has something to do with it being immediately part of a shared culture, rather than a self-contained object. Or something like that.

One of the most hopeful signs for TV nowadays is the performance of Dr Who in the ratings. It's not just that it gets a mass audience for intelligent, entertaining stories and engaging performances, or that it's been top-rated in its time-slot every week. It's that the ratings did not primarily come at the expense of existing programming: rather, millions of people who don't normally watch telly on a Saturday night now tune in, because at last their needs are being catered for.

And it's fucking Daleks next week. Life is good.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

The digital channels are amazing. That transfer process seems to be revitalizing drama. Also, I think BBC2 has really raised its game since BBC4 got going. I heard mutterings about plans to make BBC4 'less elitist' - gah! It makes me so cross.


I fucking love telly. Don't know quite why, but I think it has something to do with it being immediately part of a shared culture, rather than a self-contained object. Or something like that.

I know exactly what you mean. Friends of mine who listen to a lot of radio say much the same thing, I think. Only telly's better :-D

Have an icon:

[iainjcoleman.livejournal.com]

Have an icon

Splendid! Many thanks.