T.V
- breaksRbest
- Posts: 9966
- Joined: Tue Nov 23, 2004 11:24 pm
- Location: 37°49'S 144°58' E
Aye simpsons kicks ass. Futurama is close behind but I don't think ch 7 will be repeating it anytime soon.
I was surprised to tune in to ch 7 on sunday nite and catch buffy followed by the xfiles.
and chappelle's show is highly recommended. I've got the entire first series on DVD (back when Minotaur brought in 5 copies of it from the US).
I was surprised to tune in to ch 7 on sunday nite and catch buffy followed by the xfiles.
and chappelle's show is highly recommended. I've got the entire first series on DVD (back when Minotaur brought in 5 copies of it from the US).
STUDY: Watching Fewer Than 4 Hours of TV a Day Impairs Ability to Ridicule Pop Culture
NEW YORK—A Columbia University study released Tuesday suggests that viewing fewer than four hours of television a day severely inhibits a person's ability to ridicule popular culture.
"An hour or two of television per day simply does not provide enough information to effectively mock mediocre sitcoms, vapid celebrities, music videos, and talk-show hosts—an essential skill in modern society," said Dr. Madeleine Ben-Ami, a professor of cognitive science and chief author of the study. "The average person requires a minimum of four to six hours of television programming each day to be conversant on the subject of The Apprentice or able to impersonate Anna Nicole Smith."
Tracking 800 individuals between the ages of 15 and 39, researchers found that people who watch fewer than four hours of television a day have difficulty understanding the references made on VH1's Best Week Ever, and are often unable to point out the absurdity of infomercial products or the cluelessness of American Idol finalists.
"Study participants who watched television inconsistently were less personally invested in what they saw than regular viewers," Ben-Ami said. "While some sporadic viewers were able to enjoy jokes made by others, they were unable to make jokes of their own. The regular viewers averaged 12 celebrity-related sarcastic asides per hour, while the uninformed viewers made almost none."
The contrast between regular and irregular TV viewers was made plain by a simple experiment: Irregular and regular TV viewers were videotaped while watching footage of Michael Jackson.
"Note how this young man remains calm, observing the series of photographs quietly," said Ben-Ami, pointing to one of two monitors running footage of individual study participants. "Meanwhile, his counterpart laughs uproariously, pretends to gag, and feigns sexual intercourse with a throw pillow. Seconds later, he leaves his seat to execute some kind of '80s-style breakdance and injures himself, probably because of his excessive weight."
"The first man doesn't have a television," Ben-Ami added gravely. "The other man watches an average of 40 hours of network and cable programming each week."
Ben-Ami said study participants who watched fewer than 28 hours per week were unable to ridicule Paris Hilton "with any specificity whatsoever."
"By incorporating Paris Hilton into our oral interviews, we provided participants with an easy opportunity to 'riff' on the heiress," Ben-Ami said. "Nevertheless, non-TV viewers reacted to softball questions like 'What's up with Paris' hair extensions?' with monosyllabic shrugs or bemused silence. It was like they were completely ignorant of her many skanky attributes and laughable traits."
Ben-Ami said she and her colleagues fear that, if it is not corrected, television illiteracy could result in an American sub-group unable to function in the modern world.
"Because the ridicule of pop culture comprises the bulk of today's social discourse, a non-viewer is at a distinct disadvantage in the workplace, on campus, and in the dating scene," Ben-Ami said. "An employee who can't participate in jokes about Ashlee Simpson's disastrous Orange Bowl appearance will sit dumbfounded while a more able coworker ingratiates himself to the boss by laughing. And just as the bird with the most colorful plumage attracts the most attention, so too does the bar-TV viewer who yells, 'Have a sandwich before you faint!' when Mary-Kate Olsen appears on screen."
The study's findings have triggered concern among parents across the country.
"I don't want my 10-year-old to enter college without the ability to mock boy bands," said Myra Savage of Phoenix. "I want him to excel, like those kids who form campus sketch troupes or win college-wide trivia contests. Should I make him cut down on his reading?"
University of Colorado communication arts professor N. Clyde Graf said parents should nurture their children's enthusiasm for pop culture by having them watch a minimum of four hours of television each day, with at least two of those hours falling during prime time.
"As a TV-literate child grows into adolescence, he begins to develop either moody contempt or perverse love for camp," Graf said. "Both attitudes are vital to the informed ridicule of pop culture."
Graf said parents should encourage children by example.
"Don't instruct your child to turn on Nanny 911 and then go and watch educational television right in front of them," Graf said. "They should only be watching PBS once they've attained the level of jaded detachment that will allow them to find humor in low-budget sets, nerdy hosts, and clichéd, Ken Burns-style pan-and-scan direction."
Graf said that, without supersaturation in the worst forms of the medium, children will treat television as a source of passive entertainment.
"Long gone are the days when an individual would switch on his set and enjoy a simple, satisfying, and fun hour of diversion," Graf said. "To perceive television this way is to be hopelessly out of step with our times."
I The Onion
NEW YORK—A Columbia University study released Tuesday suggests that viewing fewer than four hours of television a day severely inhibits a person's ability to ridicule popular culture.
"An hour or two of television per day simply does not provide enough information to effectively mock mediocre sitcoms, vapid celebrities, music videos, and talk-show hosts—an essential skill in modern society," said Dr. Madeleine Ben-Ami, a professor of cognitive science and chief author of the study. "The average person requires a minimum of four to six hours of television programming each day to be conversant on the subject of The Apprentice or able to impersonate Anna Nicole Smith."
Tracking 800 individuals between the ages of 15 and 39, researchers found that people who watch fewer than four hours of television a day have difficulty understanding the references made on VH1's Best Week Ever, and are often unable to point out the absurdity of infomercial products or the cluelessness of American Idol finalists.
"Study participants who watched television inconsistently were less personally invested in what they saw than regular viewers," Ben-Ami said. "While some sporadic viewers were able to enjoy jokes made by others, they were unable to make jokes of their own. The regular viewers averaged 12 celebrity-related sarcastic asides per hour, while the uninformed viewers made almost none."
The contrast between regular and irregular TV viewers was made plain by a simple experiment: Irregular and regular TV viewers were videotaped while watching footage of Michael Jackson.
"Note how this young man remains calm, observing the series of photographs quietly," said Ben-Ami, pointing to one of two monitors running footage of individual study participants. "Meanwhile, his counterpart laughs uproariously, pretends to gag, and feigns sexual intercourse with a throw pillow. Seconds later, he leaves his seat to execute some kind of '80s-style breakdance and injures himself, probably because of his excessive weight."
"The first man doesn't have a television," Ben-Ami added gravely. "The other man watches an average of 40 hours of network and cable programming each week."
Ben-Ami said study participants who watched fewer than 28 hours per week were unable to ridicule Paris Hilton "with any specificity whatsoever."
"By incorporating Paris Hilton into our oral interviews, we provided participants with an easy opportunity to 'riff' on the heiress," Ben-Ami said. "Nevertheless, non-TV viewers reacted to softball questions like 'What's up with Paris' hair extensions?' with monosyllabic shrugs or bemused silence. It was like they were completely ignorant of her many skanky attributes and laughable traits."
Ben-Ami said she and her colleagues fear that, if it is not corrected, television illiteracy could result in an American sub-group unable to function in the modern world.
"Because the ridicule of pop culture comprises the bulk of today's social discourse, a non-viewer is at a distinct disadvantage in the workplace, on campus, and in the dating scene," Ben-Ami said. "An employee who can't participate in jokes about Ashlee Simpson's disastrous Orange Bowl appearance will sit dumbfounded while a more able coworker ingratiates himself to the boss by laughing. And just as the bird with the most colorful plumage attracts the most attention, so too does the bar-TV viewer who yells, 'Have a sandwich before you faint!' when Mary-Kate Olsen appears on screen."
The study's findings have triggered concern among parents across the country.
"I don't want my 10-year-old to enter college without the ability to mock boy bands," said Myra Savage of Phoenix. "I want him to excel, like those kids who form campus sketch troupes or win college-wide trivia contests. Should I make him cut down on his reading?"
University of Colorado communication arts professor N. Clyde Graf said parents should nurture their children's enthusiasm for pop culture by having them watch a minimum of four hours of television each day, with at least two of those hours falling during prime time.
"As a TV-literate child grows into adolescence, he begins to develop either moody contempt or perverse love for camp," Graf said. "Both attitudes are vital to the informed ridicule of pop culture."
Graf said parents should encourage children by example.
"Don't instruct your child to turn on Nanny 911 and then go and watch educational television right in front of them," Graf said. "They should only be watching PBS once they've attained the level of jaded detachment that will allow them to find humor in low-budget sets, nerdy hosts, and clichéd, Ken Burns-style pan-and-scan direction."
Graf said that, without supersaturation in the worst forms of the medium, children will treat television as a source of passive entertainment.
"Long gone are the days when an individual would switch on his set and enjoy a simple, satisfying, and fun hour of diversion," Graf said. "To perceive television this way is to be hopelessly out of step with our times."
I The Onion
Under every grief and pine
Runs a joy with silken twine.
Runs a joy with silken twine.
- Ag3nT[]0raNg3
- old boy
- Posts: 10001
- Joined: Thu Nov 25, 2004 1:29 am
- Location: There was a hole here. It's gone now
- Contact:
- Ag3nT[]0raNg3
- old boy
- Posts: 10001
- Joined: Thu Nov 25, 2004 1:29 am
- Location: There was a hole here. It's gone now
- Contact:
Family Guy is the winner IMO, too bad it got axed - thank god for bittorrent and eMule. Always love catching "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" randomly between 2:00 - 3:00 on random nights ...
I watched the Office for the first time the other night - that guy is so funny and so awkward at the same time ... couldn't work out whether I wanted to cringe or laugh
I watched the Office for the first time the other night - that guy is so funny and so awkward at the same time ... couldn't work out whether I wanted to cringe or laugh
"I have ridden the mighty moon worm." - Al Gore.
- witty_pseudonym
- Posts: 11779
- Joined: Wed Dec 15, 2004 9:53 am
- Location: betwixt and between
i have a feeling family guy was on at around 11:30am on random week days...but not sure if it still is or not though. managed to catch it a couple of times when i was working part time.ukime wrote:Family Guy is the winner IMO, too bad it got axed - thank god for bittorrent and eMule. Always love catching "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" randomly between 2:00 - 3:00 on random nights ...
as for Who's Line Is It Anyway?...gold.
...
Yeah, it was on then ... but got axed halfway through the season. I think too many kids were watching it and some parents probably complained that their kids were coming up to them and telling them that there was a dog smoking cigarettes and snorting coke on T.V.witty_pseudonym wrote:i have a feeling family guy was on at around 11:30am on random week days...but not sure if it still is or not though. managed to catch it a couple of times when i was working part time.
"I have ridden the mighty moon worm." - Al Gore.
The fast show can't be beaten. that shit is gold on so many levels.... curb your enthusiasm, like the office but much more painful... i'm alan partridge is more painful still... south park is ok too
gripping drama... 24 + law & order
docos... anything involving death (particularly the SS/ nazis /hitler) or fire (seconds from disaster is a good one for frame-by-frame analysis of major catastrofies)
gripping drama... 24 + law & order
docos... anything involving death (particularly the SS/ nazis /hitler) or fire (seconds from disaster is a good one for frame-by-frame analysis of major catastrofies)
- breaksRbest
- Posts: 9966
- Joined: Tue Nov 23, 2004 11:24 pm
- Location: 37°49'S 144°58' E
definately.fmf wrote:The fast show can't be beaten. that shit is gold on so many levels....
comedy:
Chappelles Show
The Fast Show
The Office (got the box set for Xmas!!)
Kid Notorious
The Man Show
Who's Line Is It Anyway
The Ben Stiller Show
not comedy:
Six Feet Under
The Sopranos
L&O Criminal Intent
CSI - not farkin Miami with the farkwit bloodnut
American Chopper
The Naked News - Big Ups to Erica Stevens!!!
I think I am, Therefore I am. I think
It is so like that, uncomfortable viewing at its best.ukime wrote:I watched the Office for the first time the other night - that guy is so funny and so awkward at the same time ... couldn't work out whether I wanted to cringe or laugh
I kissed a squirrel and I liked it... taste of her acorn chapstick
- breaksRbest
- Posts: 9966
- Joined: Tue Nov 23, 2004 11:24 pm
- Location: 37°49'S 144°58' E
ukime wrote:Still haven't seen this ... any good?breaksRbest wrote:The Ben Stiller Show
yeah man, it's piss funny.
there is a character that he plays that uses the same voice as his dress up character in Starsky & Hutch
DO IT, seriously, DO IT, come on, DO IT, DO IT
I think I am, Therefore I am. I think
- quiet roar
- Posts: 1543
- Joined: Wed Nov 24, 2004 10:42 pm
- Location: Brunswicked
Surprised nobody has mentioned Happy Tree Friends and Friends. It's a compilation of short animated shows that are quite bizarre. The best is Harvey Birdman (the Superhero) Attorney at Law - hilarious.
Also, did anyone see Black Books when it was on the ABC a couple of years ago? Surreal, and funnier than anything that's been on TV for ages (excl. Simpsons obviously). There's a DVD out of the first two series, which I can't recommend highly enough.
Also, did anyone see Black Books when it was on the ABC a couple of years ago? Surreal, and funnier than anything that's been on TV for ages (excl. Simpsons obviously). There's a DVD out of the first two series, which I can't recommend highly enough.
- Ag3nT[]0raNg3
- old boy
- Posts: 10001
- Joined: Thu Nov 25, 2004 1:29 am
- Location: There was a hole here. It's gone now
- Contact:
- breaksRbest
- Posts: 9966
- Joined: Tue Nov 23, 2004 11:24 pm
- Location: 37°49'S 144°58' E
quiet roar wrote:Surprised nobody has mentioned Happy Tree Friends and Friends. It's a compilation of short animated shows that are quite bizarre. The best is Harvey Birdman (the Superhero) Attorney at Law - hilarious.
I watched it last night, was only the second time i'd seen it. Harvey Birdman was farkin hilarious
and those 2 little aliens, Timee & Jaydee or something like that. basically a well animated Itchy & Scratchy.
yup, Black Books is a pisser too
I think I am, Therefore I am. I think
If I remember correctly, the DVD can be had for less than $50 at JB - a bargain.quiet roar wrote:Also, did anyone see Black Books when it was on the ABC a couple of years ago? Surreal, and funnier than anything that's been on TV for ages (excl. Simpsons obviously). There's a DVD out of the first two series, which I can't recommend highly enough.
- Lizkins
- Junior Vice President
- Posts: 17099
- Joined: Thu Nov 25, 2004 5:09 pm
- Location: Never never land
The Simpson rule all!
Law & Order rocks my world! Go Jack McCoy you absolute gun you. And yeah Sneaster i was soooo upset when Briscoe kicked it. He was a legend too!
My other loves are Invader Zim, Futurama, Pinky & the Brain, The Office...the list goes on. Television is my friend, i hug it Homer Simpson styles on the occasion
Law & Order rocks my world! Go Jack McCoy you absolute gun you. And yeah Sneaster i was soooo upset when Briscoe kicked it. He was a legend too!
My other loves are Invader Zim, Futurama, Pinky & the Brain, The Office...the list goes on. Television is my friend, i hug it Homer Simpson styles on the occasion
- Trailer_trash
- Posts: 203
- Joined: Wed Dec 15, 2004 8:26 pm
- Location: The Bat
...Mythbusters...SBS
Two dudes who carry out experiments such as seing how much poprock and coke a pigs intestine can handle before it explodes(the intestine has been removed from the pig), seing how fast a car can go after welding several rockets to its roof(remote controlled it outran the helicopter), trying to make ice bullets, do you get wetter if you walk or run through rain.....the list goes on. Very stupid, too much time on their hands stuff...but very entertaining
World series Poker SBS
Golden jackets, sunglasses(at nite) and a glass table with a camera underneath so you can see who has what cards and what moves they're trying to pull. I get lost in these games...too many weird moves....but the commentary is the best...you'd swear you were watching the footy.
Two dudes who carry out experiments such as seing how much poprock and coke a pigs intestine can handle before it explodes(the intestine has been removed from the pig), seing how fast a car can go after welding several rockets to its roof(remote controlled it outran the helicopter), trying to make ice bullets, do you get wetter if you walk or run through rain.....the list goes on. Very stupid, too much time on their hands stuff...but very entertaining
World series Poker SBS
Golden jackets, sunglasses(at nite) and a glass table with a camera underneath so you can see who has what cards and what moves they're trying to pull. I get lost in these games...too many weird moves....but the commentary is the best...you'd swear you were watching the footy.
Charlie don't surf!!
Coupling definitely has its moments. Sometimes it just doesn't quite come off though...spazz wrote:I second that one Will,
And Coupling....sheet I am hooked on that show. But its not actually on our TV channels...oh well it still rocks!
Women are inherently evil and men are genetically stupid. Yup yup.
breaksRbest wrote:quiet roar wrote:Surprised nobody has mentioned Happy Tree Friends and Friends. It's a compilation of short animated shows that are quite bizarre. The best is Harvey Birdman (the Superhero) Attorney at Law - hilarious.
I watched it last night, was only the second time i'd seen it. Harvey Birdman was farkin hilarious
and those 2 little aliens, Timee & Jaydee or something like that. basically a well animated Itchy & Scratchy.
Petee & Jaydee rule!!
so funny with the angle-grinder.. hahaha jaydee always gets it in the end!
...and basically that's the situation
Nip / Tuck.
Watched that double/triple episode thingy they had on last night, first time I had seen it ... jeez, talk about full on. I reckon it's got some really interesting (albeit completely fucked up) themes, the actors aren't too bad ... and good-holy-fucking-zombie-jesus, that actual plastic surgery scenes are ... very full on.
They are like full on cutting peoples faces off and stuff
Watched that double/triple episode thingy they had on last night, first time I had seen it ... jeez, talk about full on. I reckon it's got some really interesting (albeit completely fucked up) themes, the actors aren't too bad ... and good-holy-fucking-zombie-jesus, that actual plastic surgery scenes are ... very full on.
They are like full on cutting peoples faces off and stuff
"I have ridden the mighty moon worm." - Al Gore.
- breaksRbest
- Posts: 9966
- Joined: Tue Nov 23, 2004 11:24 pm
- Location: 37°49'S 144°58' E
Yes, that family has got fucking issues. The mother sleeping with both the sons, one of them having two dads ... and yeah, the dude high on nitrous (tank?) who started to slice his own face ... was a good move that one, telling him to start with his own face for transplant ...
"I have ridden the mighty moon worm." - Al Gore.
Was at a friends place in Geelong watching it, hoping Nalbandian wouldn't choke, which he did. Anyway when it was the 5th set and Hewitt tied it 6-6, i'm like fuck this time to go home. I was thinking it would go to something like 21-19...quick wrote:Hewitts match last night
Who watched it, tired as hell now, but what a fukn match. Hewitt is a gun.
As for TV I hardly watch it these days, even tho we have Foxtel @ home. I do like World Series Poker tho, the dude with the Snake Eye Hologram on his lenses is funny, also that Swedish dude who screams his ass off when he wins...v. funny
Comedy on BBC is always quality viewing.
S.P, F.G, D.C.S + Jeremiah are wicked.
- witty_pseudonym
- Posts: 11779
- Joined: Wed Dec 15, 2004 9:53 am
- Location: betwixt and between
- Ag3nT[]0raNg3
- old boy
- Posts: 10001
- Joined: Thu Nov 25, 2004 1:29 am
- Location: There was a hole here. It's gone now
- Contact: