An open letter to TLC

Dear TLC,

I am hereby boycotting your entire channel. You used to be a quality source of information and entertainment. I used to spend entire nights and weekends solely tuned to your program lineup. (Well, before you fired Paige anyway. Since then it’s been hit or miss.) I would still occasionally stop on by to visit with Stacy and Clinton, the Roloffs, and to see the antics of the various large families. Not anymore.

I am appalled that, despite misgivings last season from one father on a certain show, (you know which one I’m talking about), you have chosen to renew the program. As the events of the summer unfolded, and are still continuing to unfold in the media, I am even more appalled that the program has not been pulled off the air … FOR THE SAKE OF THE CHILDREN.

These are impressionable young children, NOT actors, who have been thrust into the limelight. Over the last few seasons, the editing and footage aired has made it clear, to me, at least, that at least the older set of children have issues. The younger set of multiples is approaching the age when they will be entering public school, if they haven’t already. Before the mess that is now embroiling their parents became public, that factor should have been considered as well. Now they all have to deal with fame, paparazzi, stress between their parents, isolation, and an endless time period of speculation from their peers and the public.

For the sake of those children, I have imposed my own blackout of all coverage of this mess. I turn the channel when the “news” brings it up. I don’t read articles about it. This will be my only statement about it. If only I could, I would get others to join me in boycotting the program and watching your channel. Even more importantly, I would start a campaign to boycott the purchasing of products from any and all advertisers on the program and your channel.

When you bring back a real quality Learning Channel, TLC, perhaps I might visit you again.

But until then, Shame on you.

Sincerely,

Auntie Nettie

Another query about infotainment

Please tell me ... how does the death of a celebrity's dog really merit media attention?

First we have the Big O's spaniel getting a whole show dedicated to its memory, and much to do made over just that fact. Today we have Ms. M.S*.'s chow chow getting AP wire coverage.

There are more important things that need media space, say, oh, I don't know: the economy, the war, famine, plague, strive, wars and rumours of wars. Priorities people, please!

Yes, I understand that pets are important family members to their owners/caretakers -- but national and international media attention?

COME ON!


* and this has NOTHING to do with the fact that I dislike strongly Ms. M.S. and consider her the equivalent of a demon from Hell.

(So glad that the comments are disabled! Can just imagine the flaming I would be getting right now ... )

Infotainment Topics that I am sick of ... 2007

Since it's the time of year when the "Best of" list are compiled, I'd like to begin my list of the most overrated infotainment stories/topics of the year.

Why do this? Well, once upon a time, the hour between 7:00-8:00 p.m. had "entertainment" programs that had amusing highlights and promos for the movie/television/music industry featuring real, honest to goodness, television and movie STARS that at least acted like they were personalities. Some of the programs had reputations as being somewhat journalistic, garnering awards that are -- or were -- prestigious. Maybe I'm just getting "mature," but over the last year or so, it's seems like these programs are pandering and getting trashy -- and I'm not even talking about the obviously trashy programs that have sprung up (I'm talking to you FOX!). When did infotainment become more important, that say, various important global conflicts, the economy, the weather, my commute, local news issues, etc. How did entities, like ANS---, B--, L--, or P--H-- become the headline stories? I didn't go to journalism school, but what makes these people leading news stories? Why should I care? I have my own problems; hearing about theirs does NOT make me feel any better about myself. It's gotten to the point that when I hear/see their names or stories about "oops, there they go again," I switch the channel, hit "mute", turn the page, click to another site, and IGNORE them.

So, here are some of my least favorite infotainment people/topics of the year, in no order --- with abbreviations so I don't make myself sick of them --- AGAIN!:

A.N.S./D.S/D.S.
B.S.
L.L.
P.H.
M.O. and her obsession with dolls/dancing/fainting/WHATEVER!
Any of the people from MTV shows
The Spice Women
O.J.S.
The Yankees -- team, management, etc.
The Big O.W. and her candidate

I know that obvious topics aren't here. I've tried ardously to avoid/forget most of them. Please DON'T feel free to remind me of things I'd rather forget. You know who/what I mean.