Can tv be put to better uses?

[Philosophy Explorer]

I already know the role tv plays in security systems. And of course we know about the boob tube and the entertainment purposes of the tv. Sometimes I wonder whether there are more and better uses for the tv.

What say you to this?

PhilX

[thedoc]

I already know the role tv plays in security systems. And of course we know about the boob tube and the entertainment purposes of the tv. Sometimes I wonder whether there are more and better uses for the tv.

What say you to this?

PhilX

The obvious answer is education and quality entertainment. In the early days of TV there were some very good shows on that offered some of the better drama and comedy. Untill just a few years ago the local PBS station had an over night feed of educational programs for the public schools to use as part of the class room presentation. I used to record the whole nights worth of shows and edit out the ones I wanted to keep. The local PBS station still broadcasts some of the popular science and educational shows but have discontinued the over night broadcasts.

[Philosophy Explorer]

Would you regard talk shows and Court TV as being educational or just mere entertainment? These categories dominate tv. Any thoughts to add to this?

PhilX

[thedoc]

Would you regard talk shows and Court TV as being educational or just mere entertainment? These categories dominate tv. Any thoughts to add to this?

PhilX

I only watch Dave Letterman and Craig Ferguson on purpose, and not very often. I have a very fast reaction time for changing the channel when I click onto Court TV, I just don't like them so I don't watch. Both of these categories would be strictly entertainment, in my opinion.

[Philosophy Explorer]

Dave Letterman I watch for his top ten list.

Hardly ever watch talk TV. Will watch game shows such as Who Wants to Be A Millionaire?, Jeopardy, Family Feud, Wheel Of Fortune; also Funniest Pets and People, for their entertainment and interesting questions. Even Court TV has some educational value for me.

PhilX

[thedoc]

Would you regard talk shows and Court TV as being educational or just mere entertainment? These categories dominate tv. Any thoughts to add to this?

PhilX

My wife and I have been watching a few of the crime dramas, it started with CSI and their derivatives but there are only so many crimes to commit, only so many ways to commit them, and only so many ways to solve the crime. Predictably after several years they all started to look the same and we switched to another show.

Currently we are watching Castle, but it's starting to get old. Forever, with a very interesting concept, and we like the actors. Most of the Sherlock Holmes retreads have been good, my problem is that they rarely cast Watson correctly.

[vegetariantaxidermy]

The only American programme I watch any more is Judge Judy, just to remind me how stupid Americans are. It's actually quite educational, and the woman talks sense most of the time.

[vegetariantaxidermy]

Would you regard talk shows and Court TV as being educational or just mere entertainment? These categories dominate tv. Any thoughts to add to this?

PhilX

My wife and I have been watching a few of the crime dramas, it started with CSI and their derivatives but there are only so many crimes to commit, only so many ways to commit them, and only so many ways to solve the crime. Predictably after several years they all started to look the same and we switched to another show.

Currently we are watching Castle, but it's starting to get old. Forever, with a very interesting concept, and we like the actors. Most of the Sherlock Holmes retreads have been good, my problem is that they rarely cast Watson correctly.

Watch the English one with Benedict Cumberbatch.

[thedoc]

Would you regard talk shows and Court TV as being educational or just mere entertainment? These categories dominate tv. Any thoughts to add to this?

PhilX

My wife and I have been watching a few of the crime dramas, it started with CSI and their derivatives but there are only so many crimes to commit, only so many ways to commit them, and only so many ways to solve the crime. Predictably after several years they all started to look the same and we switched to another show.

Currently we are watching Castle, but it's starting to get old. Forever, with a very interesting concept, and we like the actors. Most of the Sherlock Holmes retreads have been good, my problem is that they rarely cast Watson correctly.

Watch the English one with Benedict Cumberbatch.

I watch it when I can, I especially liked the one about Baskerville. The others seemed to be more loosely based on the original series.

[vegetariantaxidermy]

I already know the role tv plays in security systems. And of course we know about the boob tube and the entertainment purposes of the tv. Sometimes I wonder whether there are more and better uses for the tv.

What say you to this?

PhilX

You mean other than as a babysitter for American parents?

[mtmynd1]

I already know the role tv plays in security systems. And of course we know about the boob tube and the entertainment purposes of the tv. Sometimes I wonder whether there are more and better uses for the tv.

What say you to this?

PhilX

The inventor of the television, Philo Farnsworth, I would have to think had no idea how pervasive his invention has taken over the world. Add to that the cable and satellite transmissions further the amount of programming that few had any idea of ever reaching the point it's at today (generation over 40-50yo...).

What once in the U.S. were but three networks, CBS, NBC and ABC, that has exploded into so many I have no idea of the variety other than channel surfing I might see something that looks interesting. My wife and I enjoy NPR's Sunday line-up with Masterpiece Theater and their offshoots. The caliber of acting IMHO, is a notch above others which I attribute to England's long association with Shakespeare's works and beyond.

I'd like to give a blanket statement about TV and the 'boob tube' but with so much choice available (and that must include the little black boxes like Roku and their extensive offerings), I would be lying that all TV programming sucks. It's simply not true any more.