Television is a Vast Wasteland - Newton Minow
 

http://www.learnoutloud.com/podcasts/GSIH-072307.mp3

Newton Minow was chair of the FCC in the late 1950s. I've listened to the now famous (infamous) "Television is a Vast Wasteland" speech maybe 30 times. I found it to be truly inspirational.

The ideals he communicated without restraint speak to a more optimistic view of the possible role of TV, should it decide to be responsible.

So what do you think?

This is interesting because with the advent of 100+ channels of cable, all of the types of programing he calls for are available around the clock.

Of course, there's still lots of crap for people who like to watch crap.

Also, are you aware that the wrecked ship that brought the castaways to Gilligan's Island was named after Newton Minow, as a response to this speech?

You go Racnad! I was hoping this post woundnt sit all alone forever.....

T.V. has always been a wasteland. I'd say its far less of one now since we do have more choices which don't involve the lowest common denominator.

It used to be finding a science related show as a rare event on TV, where as now they are on 24/7. Sure there is a ton of crap, more than ever, but there is also good programing as well.

I go from the science channel to discovery to history to NLG, in my surfing. Sure even there you will find a share of crap like 'haunted history' or some fluff documentaries, but over all there is some real quality there as well. I'll also watch the food network which has increased my culinary acumen quite a bit, and there is always playboy for boobies.

Now maybe network TV is in fact a wasteland, but I haven't watched it in 10 years.

That's the rumor, though it was never confirmed to my knowledge. It's deeply ironic that a show as low quality as that would make fun of a visionary who would have seen a higher quality in broadcasting.

Still, I find that Minow's words ring as true today as they did those decades ago.

Russel Johnson, the actor who played The Professor, claims it is true. And I believe that producer Sherwood Schwartz has conformed this in his memoirs.

I have always thought that Sesame Street has been one of the best programs on television in terms of its value to society. Contrary to my normal views on government subsidized entities and the private sector, Sesame Street serves as an example of what can be done when profit is not a motivator.

TV is, and to the best of my knowledge, always has been a "vast wastland". However, there is the occasional oasis. One need merely look to find them.

ok so here is a short list of things about this thread that baffle me:

1. that the producer of gilligans island wrote a memoir.

for some reason, i imagine the gilligan island sections of the memoir to be like a "making of..." dvd feature. you know those things: the writing in the show gets compared to chekov and we learn that bob denver was a committed method actor.

2. the decision on the part of newton minnow's parents to give him the first name of newt.

i listened to the audio clip yesterday but found myself distracted continually by imagining a childhood enframed by being named newt minnow. its like the first and last names have nothing to do with each other. two nouns in a row.

3. the idea that saying the airwaves are a public trust and that at least some obligation follows from that fact for those corporate entities which use them seems somehow quaint.

that is probably my problem tho:

So you stopped watching TV at 6 months old?

Here's what you've missed: The spectacle
Hard to Hear:
Hard to Watch:
The Sideshow:
Unfunny:
Deliberately Sensationalized: