Showbiz
Related: About this forumTLC has become home to the bizarre
It's obvious TLC no longer stands for The Learning Channel, instead it seems to be a channel, that has at least seven different types of programs:
1. Gypsys - Gypsy Sisters, My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding, etc
2. Midgets - Little Couple, Little People Big World, etc
3. Eating Disorders - My 600lb Life, My 600 lb Mom, etc
4. Physical Deformities - Boy With Bloody Tears, The Eight-Limbed Boy, etc
5. Religious Families - 19 Kids & Counting, The Amish, etc
6. Exploited People - My Secret Addiction, Extreme Couponing/Cheapskates, Hoarders - Buried Alive, etc
7. Marriage Shows - Say Yes to the Dress, Big Bliss, etc
These shows are all reality shows. Some seem to be scripted. The really interesting thing about shows like: 19 Kids & Counting and Little People Big World, is that even though these families open their homes to TV, we the viewers, don't get the real story about them. For instance their homophobic and/or racist beliefs and teachings, are always kept under wraps. So many people hold these families up, as great role models, and outright refuse to acknowledge these families disturbing views. This has added a new twist to reality shows, the exaltation of people/families, whose beliefs, would take away the rights of many people in the country. Hatred disguised as faith.
dixiegrrrrl
(60,012 posts)Bread and circuses, the people's soporific.
If there weren't a market for it, it wouldn't be there.
The History Channel's gone down the same road, as have many others.
Astounding to see what entertains some people. Ugh.
liberal N proud
(61,013 posts)It has not had anything on education for a very long time.
Little Star
(17,055 posts)they are stupid junk. But 'Who Do You Think You Are' is great for those of us who like genealogy. And I also think I might like Stacy London's new upcoming 'Love, Lust or Run'. It might be to my liking because I like fashion & I loved her & Clinton in 'What Not To Wear'. Other than those two I think they show junk.
QuebecYank
(147 posts)The show, Who Do You Think You Are?, is on occasionally. And I too, loved to watch Stacy and Clinton, together and apart.
Over the years, TLC has had a few interesting documentaries, such as:
The Man Whose Arms Exploded
Supersize She
The World's Strongest Boy
These shows originally aired in 2004-05. Since then they've gone off the rails. A&E has followed the same lazy, cheap programming path.
catchnrelease
(2,030 posts)I stayed with my Mom over the Christmas holidays and she likes to watch 'the Pickers' and the Pawn store guys, so I would see what's on the History Channel. (It was torture believe me!!) When the commercials came on I could not believe what I was seeing--what looked like Midget* hookers or pole dancers or something along those lines, grossly obese women fighting over men, people in the swamps killing alligators.... It was like a bizarre nightmare! In almost every commercial it showed these various people fighting, screaming at each other, throwing drinks at each other. Beyond belief to me.
All I kept saying is that I hope none of these programs out outside of the US or people in other countries will think worse of us than they already do!
*I don't know if this is the correct term now, or Little women?
QuebecYank
(147 posts)I don't think I know the show you wrote about, but living in Canada we see everything you do. Such as Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, etc. Unfortunately, the rest of the world sees it too!