Enough of Lazy TV Programmes (just boycott them!)
It’s always good to spend time outside or reading a book or doing other things. But most of us do sometimes just like to make a cup of tea, put our feet up and just watch something good or light-hearted now and then.
But just like building another lane on the motorway just creates more traffic, the mass of free-to-view TV channels now means it’s almost impossible to find anything to watch, when you decide to watch something on the box! Most TV these days is:
- Rolling news (depressing and could give you a breakdown)
- Teleshopping channels (useless tat that nobody wants or needs)
- Endless repeats of The Big Bang Theory (on every day, usually on two channels)
It can’t be lack of money, because it would be cheaper to re-run better quality programs of old, like popular comedy series and films, that are hardly ever shown on TV.
- Endless home programs, usually with people on massive budgets, so it does not really give the average person any ideas or inspiration.
- Same with antiques programs. Unless someone is having that antique valued or mended, it’s not that interesting to have these programs on every day, all day.
- Same with holiday homes in the sun, again only interesting mostly if you’re going there. There is only so many times we can listen to ‘I like the view, I like the colour of the tiles’.
- And finally – quiz shows!
As well as being boring, noisy and encouraging a materialistic society, some are now so dumb-downed, that people are making official complaints.
Recently on Mastermind, one general knowledge question seriously was ‘Which pet animal goes woof-woof?’)
The focus on ‘win money and your life will change’ also goes against Biblical beliefs that you should work for what you do, not just rely on luck. It’s not a healthy attitude, which is why Quakers won’t even take lottery money to mend church roofs, as they would win, but someone desperate likely now can’t pay their electricity bill, as they spend the money on the losing ticket.
Last week, I saw on more than one occasion a contestant being visibly upset, because another person lost to ‘the banker’. It’s a show, not life or death. Online review of a quiz show
Refuse to Watch (or promote) Bullying TV Shows
Today, many TV shows echo social media, offering lazy programmes built on cruel jokes, exclusion and public humiliation. They (sadly) draw big crowds and advertising pounds, creating a society obsessed with bullying, ‘winning’, empty fame and prize money.
It may seem harmless to watch or support such media. But the trouble is that by watching (or even talking about and promoting) such shows, it’s giving ‘quiet approval’ to bullying in disguise.
Isla St Clair (not impressed by reality TV)
Many people loved The Generation Game TV series a few decades ago, presented by Larry and his beautiful co-star Isla St Clair. She was a Scottish folk singer (she still is! – listen to beautiful songs at her site for free).
However like many, she is not impressed with modern reality TV (from bullying TV shows to ones that millions inexplicably seem to find entertaining). She writes that people long for a light entertainment show that ‘doesn’t involve eating worms or awful revelations that should be kept indoors’.
If you were ever bullied at school (or in the workplace), you will know the deep lasting damage that it can do. Sometimes for life. It may not affect you, but the after-effects will harm others.
Bullying on Popular Reality TV Shows
- Britain’s Got Talent: Judges often embarrass contestants. They laugh at talentless acts or make cutting remarks, all while the crowd jeers.
- Come Dine With Me: Sarcastic voiceovers and contestants mocking each other over meals might seem funny, but it usually ends with someone feeling isolated and ridiculed. Interestingly, the European versions of this show are good, with everyone being nice and pleasant to each other .
- Big Brother: Housemates face constant public judgement and pressure. Tasks and arguments are designed to trigger fights and embarrassment.
- The Traitors: The format pushes players to isolate, deceive, and shame each other. Hostile whispering and plotting, leads to cruel behaviour. It spills over into real life, when people forget that honesty is a require character trait for decent people in everyday life.
And the obvious too – all of these programmes are unoriginal, non-creative and incredibly boring!
Animal Welfare Concerns on Certain TV Shows
There has always been a large percentage of England’s population concerned over the ethics of the TV series ‘I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here’. Which uses challenges for contestants to be scared by (or sometimes eat) various creatures ‘out in the bush’, when filmed in Australia (or sometimes other countries).
Each year, Ofcom receives thousands of complaints about the show. There are genuine concerns for both welfare over creatures either caged, scared or eaten for ‘entertainment’. But also it disrupts ecosystems (these are creatures that would in nature be food for other creatures).
BBC wildlife presenter Chris Packham recently wrote an open letter to the producers (which has been viewed over 1 million times) asking the makers to finally can a program he says has had its day:
Circuses have gone, dancing bears have gone, cock-and-dog fighting are the sad preserve of psychopathic criminals. We have no performing dolphins and no chimpanzees dressed up for tea time.
The cruel exploitation of wildlife for gratuitous entertainment, continues to damage the reputation of a ‘nation of animal lovers’.
Although ITV states that it ‘complies with the laws of Australia’s RSPCA’, our own charity is also concerned and has frequently asked the producers to stop harming other creatures. In the name of raising the profile of ‘celebrities’ or has-been politicians wishing to raise their profiles.
RSPCA has also raised concerns about many of the creatures featured in the program, being frequently chased, dropped or living in overcrowded conditions.
The program also sends a strong message to the viewing public, that ‘insects’ are of no value. In fact, incredible insects are vital to ecosystems, and one of the most important species on our planet.
Money Could Be Spent Elsewhere
ITV often pays huge amounts of money to ‘secure’ contestants for the show (disgraced MP Matt Hancock was paid £350,000) with one contestant apparently receiving £1.5 million for participating. The charity World Animal Protection gives information on how this amount of money could instead be used:
- Put pressure on world leaders to end the global wildlife trade.
- Stop big cats being exploited for trophy hunting (remember Cecil the lion?)
- Power campaigns to end cruel treatment of elephants for tourism
- Maintain and refurbish sanctuaries for bears rescued from the bile industry
- Improve public awareness on why to avoid tourist aquariums (and fund ocean sanctuaries)
- Fund work with governments and food producers to end factory farming.
In England, it’s now illegal to hunt foxes or produce fur or foie gras, yet still one of the most popular TV shows involves harming animals for ‘entertainment’.
When panicked contestants are crawling through mazes with insects, spiders and snakes all around them, and having uncontrollable reactions like shaking, flicking hands and moving carelessly, it’s impossible that none of the animals are harmed. Is festive television the forgotten bloodsport? Surge Activism
‘I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here is publicly abusing terrified animals, and even killing them in cruel, irresponsible stunts that ITV calls ‘entertainment’. Online reviewer
Do you remember that lovely tall rescuer of kangaroos, a few years back in Alice Springs? He drives around finding joeys that have lost their mothers, then raises them in ‘pillowcases’ to replicate the pouch, feeding them several times a night, to eventually release them back to the wild?
Well, their mothers have been not just been killed by road accidents, but often due to hunting. And the ‘kangaroo penis’ that everyone laughs about contestants eating, may well belong to the father of one of Brolga’s little innocent charges. Do you wish to be complicit?
Other Animal Welfare Concerns on TV Shows
It’s lovely to watch a program on animals, but we have to be careful not to let the media overrun programs, when sometimes the information is not helpful.
For example, although they are undoubtedly nice people, some dog trainers are concerned over ‘celebrity dog training tv programs’, as some use outdated methods like choke chains, and often training methods that would not work for the average person with a badly-behaving pooch.
Having reality programs with ‘entertaining pets’ may sometimes be okay if the dog or whatever creature enjoys it. But many animals are likely terrified by all the bright lights and screening.
Cooking and baking programs are popular. But are the ingredients being used from free-range animals? Nobody knows, same with cooking shows.
Simon Cowell (not that one) who founded Wildlife Aid, was appalled at TV shows that disturbed wildlife, in order to create programs for entertainment. He only ever approached wild creatures to help them (often getting bitten and scratched in the process). He says wildlife don’t want to be near us, and should be left alone, unless they need help.
Talking Pictures TV (vintage films & documentaries)
Talking Pictures is a great little channel, that’s free to air. And plays lots of old films from the 40s and 50s. When the world appears to be a much kinder place. The film Brighton Rock by Grahame Greene was made into a film starring the brother of Sir David Attenborough.
It also shows a few more recent series like Maigret. We had a quick look for today’s programmes, and it included vintage films for Batman and Robin Hood, and a thriller directed by Sam Wanamaker.
Together TV (community documentaries)
Not every TV channel pushes drama or negativity. Channels like Together TV focus on stories that help you feel good and spotlight real community spirit. Together TV offers shows about gardening, healthy living, and people turning small ideas into something great. No fighting, no shaming, just honest and interesting stories.
For cooking, read up on food safety for people & pets. For gardening, read about pet-friendly gardens (avoid facing indoor plants to gardens, to help stop birds flying into windows).
Here are a few types of uplifting shows you may find on Together TV:
- Community Makeovers: Real people improving their local parks or helping a neighbour fix up a home.
- Cooking and Gardening Series: Chefs or home cooks prepping simple, healthy meals with local ingredients.
- Health Joys: Wellness tips anyone can try, from stretching routines to mindfulness breaks.
- Feel-Good Challenges: Series where contestants support each other to learn a new skill, or overcome a small fear.
How to (legally) Cancel Your TV Licence
In many cases, if you don’t watch live TV (or BBC iPlayer), you can legally cancel your TV licence. The powers that be will try everything to make you keep it, but visit the site to find that many people don’t have to buy one. And considering how expensive it is, it pays to make sure you actually need one.
Nobody says you have to live in a stark white room and never watch TV again. Most of us like a repeat of the classics (Porridge etc) on a rainy afternoon. And some TV actually can be good!
BBC Natural History Unit occasionally produce beautiful programs (often shown once, then confined to the archives). Like Natural World Symphony, which was a work of genius. Also find good programs at BBC Earth.
Ads. When the TV ads come on, just go and make a cuppa. Although the Calm Act says they cannot be at higher volume, clever people sometimes master the audio, so they do appear louder, in order to try to hypnotise you into buying stuff you don’t need.
Alternatives to Boring TV (Enjoy Your Free Time)
If you can’t think of anything else to do (bar watching the box), you’re a TV addict! Here are a few alternative ideas to spend your life: Then you can watch far less TV.
Doesn’t everything die at last, and too soon? Tell me. What is it that you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? Mary Oliver
- Read a good book
- Take a course to learn something
- Relax in the garden
- Play with pets
- Go for a walk
- Go for a swim
- Visit the cinema
- Visit the pub
- Have a self-massage
- Go for a coffee
- Volunteer
- Go for a run
- Visit an art gallery
- Visit a museum
- Hike a mountain
- Write your CV
- Write a poem
- Go to a music concert
- Go to church
- Ride your bicycle
- Search for a nicer job
- Visit the local park
- Clear the clutter
- Decorate your house
- Fix things that need fixing!
- Organise your paper work
- Catch up on your sleep
- Go for a game of tennis
- Learn to paint watercolours
- Watch the sunrise (or sunset)
- Cook a nice meal
- Visit a nearby town
- Give blood
- Write a letter
- Visit relatives
- Call a friend
- Do a litter clean-up
- Go to church
Arrange your sofas in an L-shape (with the coffee table in the middle). This enables you to still watch TV, but fosters conversation, rather than ‘sofa along the back of the wall, and everyone gawping at the screen’.
