There's no such thing as bad television. There's just some stuff you wouldn't watch unless your life depended on it, and that's a little hard to imagine.He is right, of course. It was awful. Christmas Eve daytime shows were exactly the same as any normal weekday, with the usual Emmerdale through to Dickenson's Real Deal on One and whatever it is they put on the other channels. Even the midday One News takes a break as the presenters apparently go on holiday (and still are until next month). And the Vicar of Dibley specials again?
Unless you're a TV critic, of course, and you're viewing your way through that strange and barren time around Christmas and New Year when the channels empty out their rubbish and their recycle bins.
It's a cruel and merciless season and if there's anything new at all it's either full of Christmas cheer or it's stuff they didn't want to run when the advertisers were interested.
On Christmas Day it would have felt almost irreligious not to watch The Queen's Christmas Message (TV One, 6:50) and, anyway, she only talked for 10 minutes and it was about the only time you heard God mentioned during the religious holiday on prime time TV
Christmas Day was chock full of repeats as well.
Tonight is much the same - old movie reruns and repeats galore. I guess the advertisers expect that everyone will be out partying and won't be watching - hence, a load of old rubbish programmed.
The point Hogg makes about God and religious programming is also well made. Christmas is slowing slipping into the secular (try saying that three times fast!), and Easter even more so, as people forget the reason for the holidays they are supposed to be celebrating - yes, celebrating.
I looked up the meaning of celebrate online, as it says -
1. To observe (a day or event) with ceremonies of respect, festivity, or rejoicing.These days, I wonder if some of the younger people know exactly why we have this day off worldwide and what they are supposed to be celebrating?
Christmas has certainly turned into a secular non-event for many people. Just another holiday, rather than a holy day. Looking at the bright side, the TV programming is so rubbish that there is ample opportunity to spend more time thinking about the bigger things in life.
ReplyDeleteHow much TV did we watch in my house xmas day? none. I was having far too much fun with friends and family to be worried about what was on tele. Sure, on boxing day I celebrated again with family and had the tv on in the background, one eye on the BBQ, one eye on the Boxing Day Test.
ReplyDeleteThese days, I wonder if some of the younger people know exactly why we have this day off worldwide and what they are supposed to be celebrating?
Not sure that its a day off worldwide, might be stretching things a bit there. As to what we are celebrating, that is up to each of us to decide. I hope you don't think it should be compulsory for everyone to celebrate the same thing. Some celebrate the solstice, some celebrate Festivus, some celebrate Jesus and some of us just enjoy a relaxing time with family and friends.
Isn't freedom of choice good?
*ahem* Christmas?
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