TVLand Is A Joke

[BRNout]

This is not simply about "change" (which I reiterate: isn't always good); no, it's about idiotic programming choices. What's the goal of lazily running the same eps of Rosanne over and over again? Followed by the same episodes of Andy Griffith, over and over again? And the occasional "reality" series mixed into that. Series which, by the way, stink even by 'reality' show standards?

Honestly, how can you possibly defend that? Or the muddled way in which Viacom has lost positioning for most of its cable channels? Look at MTV's schedule. It's wandered so far off the mark that it's not even funny. Movies on MTV? Again, laziness and frugality on the part of Viacom.

Too bad Viacom isn't alone in this as even the Travel Channel is reduced to showing movies now. That's NOT what people expect of that channel either.

Yes, for the record, I thought that TV Land was a much better channel several years ago and, had they not changed course, I'd still be watching them. Judging from the comments here, I am not alone in that. However, this discussion goes way beyond whether they should have 'freshened up' the programming or not. Right now, they're a mess. That's what this is about.

 

[wncc]

At least the movies on the Travel Channel at least RELATE to travel. Can't say the same for the Viacom channels.

 

[kenrayc]

This is not simply about "change" (which I reiterate: isn't always good); no, it's about idiotic programming choices. What's the goal of lazily running the same eps of Rosanne over and over again? Followed by the same episodes of Andy Griffith, over and over again? And the occasional "reality" series mixed into that. Series which, by the way, stink even by 'reality' show standards?

Honestly, how can you possibly defend that? Or the muddled way in which Viacom has lost positioning for most of its cable channels? Look at MTV's schedule. It's wandered so far off the mark that it's not even funny. Movies on MTV? Again, laziness and frugality on the part of Viacom.

Too bad Viacom isn't alone in this as even the Travel Channel is reduced to showing movies now. That's NOT what people expect of that channel either.

Yes, for the record, I thought that TV Land was a much better channel several years ago and, had they not changed course, I'd still be watching them. Judging from the comments here, I am not alone in that. However, this discussion goes way beyond whether they should have 'freshened up' the programming or not. Right now, they're a mess. That's what this is about.

I have noticed that the whole Roseanne series can be seen in about 5 weeks then it gets repeated over,over,and over and over again,TV LAND sucks.
they have had Andy Griffith for years and probally ran each episode over 1000s of times talk about BURN OUT.
Now their running stupid reality shows ,Viacom SUCKS.no music on VH-1 or MTV either.

There are so many shows they can pick up and rotate in, How about Newhart, Who's the Boss, Mr Belevedere, Night Court, and many many more.

 

[quadraphonic]

It's like they don't even try anymore. There's no reason for "appointment television" it's just "watch what's on [maybe]."
USA is just as bad though. They have Wings coming on sometimes at 6:30am, sometimes not. Sometimes "Monk" sometimes "Psych" at 7am, sometimes neither, sometimes a movie in the morning, sometimes not. You never know until you look by there.
And today, like MANY other days, a Law & Order: Criminal Intent marathon.
What is the logic? Monday is Marathon Day? I can't figure out any pattern but "random play."

 

[Captainfirst]

I know I'm about to open myself up to accusations of having no life but here goes...the dummies did it again! Sunday night repeated the episodes of "Roseanne" from Saturday night. Same episodes, same order, and no, I didn't watch the second time around. As odd as it may sound, maybe TVLand is doing it on purpose?

 

[imhomerjay]

It's like they don't even try anymore. There's no reason for "appointment television" it's just "watch what's on [maybe]."
USA is just as bad though. They have Wings coming on sometimes at 6:30am, sometimes not. Sometimes "Monk" sometimes "Psych" at 7am, sometimes neither, sometimes a movie in the morning, sometimes not. You never know until you look by there.
And today, like MANY other days, a Law & Order: Criminal Intent marathon.
What is the logic? Monday is Marathon Day? I can't figure out any pattern but "random play."

Now that ESPN is back with Monday Night Football, they may fall to number two in the cable ratings. They're doing something right. Not everyone needs to follow the same day-in, day out Monday-Friday pattern. For some, that works, for some, a more fluid approach works.

 

[Paige Turner]

It's like they don't even try anymore. There's no reason for "appointment television" it's just "watch what's on [maybe]."

Good point. It's as though they're simply catering to the couch potato flipping through with the remote who may or may not hang around long enough from complete boredom.

(I wonder how far away we are from Harrison Bergeron.)

 

[quadraphonic]

For some, that works, for some, a more fluid approach works.

That's the wrong kind of fluid they're throwing out. Like a Dave Matthews bus.

There's no point in anticipating anything coming on tv anymore, just sit and watch "whatever's on" like the couch potatoes. So why NOT watch it on hulu or youtube or any other source?

 

[LKellerIII]

For some, that works, for some, a more fluid approach works.

That's the wrong kind of fluid they're throwing out. Like a Dave Matthews bus.

There's no point in anticipating anything coming on tv anymore, just sit and watch "whatever's on" like the couch potatoes. So why NOT watch it on hulu or youtube or any other source?

Or like my mother used to say - "Turn that damn thing off, and go outside to play, or read a book!"

 

[mleach]

It's like they don't even try anymore. There's no reason for "appointment television" it's just "watch what's on [maybe]."
USA is just as bad though. They have Wings coming on sometimes at 6:30am, sometimes not. Sometimes "Monk" sometimes "Psych" at 7am, sometimes neither, sometimes a movie in the morning, sometimes not. You never know until you look by there.
And today, like MANY other days, a Law & Order: Criminal Intent marathon.
What is the logic? Monday is Marathon Day? I can't figure out any pattern but "random play."

The funny thing about those marathons....does anyone remember when the old HA! Comedy Channel back in 1991 for a whole week 24/7 aired nothing but reruns of "Love, American Style" ? The reason for that of course was HA! had recently merged with The Comedy Channel and they in the process of rebranding themselves as Comedy Central ( though at first it was called CTV ). People HATED it !!! I remember actually seeing letters in the paper from outraged viewers not too mention those TV critics like Tom Shales from the Washington Post to use as an example.

Then a year later Comedy Central did a weekend marathon of "CPO Sharkey"...and they somewhat slammed it on air too "..we are yanking this piece of crap from our schedule...stay tuned !!" Of course being Comedy Central..chances are it was "tounge in cheek". But duirng the CPO marathon..( which I still have on tape ) Comedy Central did air a ticker during one show saying that after CPO Sharkey..Comedy Central will never do marathons again.
So much for keeping their word. "Sigh"

Someone asked about TV Land showing the same episodes of Roseanne if it was being done "on purpose"? It's either that ( perhaps trashing their own channel to make way for a possible future new format ) or catering to those "couch potatoes" who will watch anything. The fact they picked "Roseanne" I find interesting since now one can pick up DVDs of that show, every season that was done very CHEAP ( say less than $20 each ) and its the same with Andy Griffith" too. Heck I have even seen "The Simpsons", the first 5 or so seasons are now being sold for as little as $15 ( though the later seasons are more exspensive at $39.99 ). Seems interesting that TV Land will pick a show like Roseanne to air to "death"..when pretty soon one can buy the entire series on DVD for as little as $50..that day is coming.

 

[quadraphonic]

For some, that works, for some, a more fluid approach works.

That's the wrong kind of fluid they're throwing out. Like a Dave Matthews bus.

There's no point in anticipating anything coming on tv anymore, just sit and watch "whatever's on" like the couch potatoes. So why NOT watch it on hulu or youtube or any other source?

Or like my mother used to say - "Turn that damn thing off, and go outside to play, or read a book!"

Best option, most all the time.