Author Topic: Article from Teevee.org (Read 4635 times)

curtking · « **on:** January 17, 2004, 11:54:57 AM »

We're a Network About BLANK!

Loyal reader Tim Bland of Lifetime Movie Title Generator fame writes about an insidious change going on at Game Show Network:

Attention, Game Show Network viewers: like too many cable networks before it, your channel is about to begin trashing its original cozy niche (and fan base) and trying to be everything to everyone. Here's the big clue: the network is changing its name to just its initials: GSN.

Thus, GSN joins the ranks of MTV, VH1, AMC and TLC, networks that intentionally dropped the long forms of their abbreviations so they wouldn't be tied down by, you know, a purpose. (In a league by itself is The Nashville/National/TNN/Spike TV Network, which changes names and branding schemes every couple of months. It even occasionally also changing its lineup in the process.)

When the name goes, so goes the heart of the programming. Give it two years, and game shows will be as scarce on GSN as videos are on MTV. And Sunday on AMC, don't miss that American Movie Classic, "Legal Eagles."

At least AMC is degenerating slowly. GSN is charging headlong into the blight, loading up its schedule with dating nightmares (a new show called Fake-a-Date, hosted by beloved non-cowboy liar Evan "Joe Millionaire" Marriott), hidden-camera discards (Spy TV), and second-run, second-rate reality shows. You know what that means: more Kathy Griffin. You may destroy your television now.

For those who don't get enough of an adrenaline rush from watching people hold and then lay down poker cards on every other channel, one of GSN's new "original" offerings is The World Series of Blackjack -- surely to be followed by The Super Bowl of Nickel Slots, then Monster Coin Flipping.

So, game-show addicts, kiss your Password goodbye as GSN rushes toward the lightning round of homogeny.

Matt Ottinger · « **Reply #1 on:** January 17, 2004, 12:04:49 PM »

When I read all the juvenile whining here about the changes that GSN is going through, it's refreshing to see the same points being made by somebody who actually knows how to write. Thanks for the very entertaining article.

melman1 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 17, 2004, 01:05:32 PM »

Quote

somebody who actually knows how to write.

Maybe you could translate this line for me then?

"It even occasionally also changing its lineup in the process."

-- Mel "proofreader for hire" man

Brandon Brooks · « **Reply #3 on:** January 17, 2004, 01:22:20 PM »

[quote name=\'melman1\' date=\'Jan 17 2004, 01:05 PM\'] Maybe you could translate this line for me then?

"It even occasionally also changing its lineup in the process."
[/quote]
It's fine... maybe it could use a couple of commas, though.

"It, even occasionally, also changing its lineup in the process."

Brandon Brooks

Matt Ottinger · « **Reply #4 on:** January 17, 2004, 01:31:42 PM »

Melman is saying that "changes" rather than "changing" would be correct. Either that or turn the last sentence into a phrase and drop "it". I'd probably drop either the word "also" or the word "even", the sentence flows better that way.

Still, there's no doubt that the internet could use a good proofreader, but if one grammatical misstep is cause for concern I'd have to throw the flag on half the posts in this forum!

Dbacksfan12 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 17, 2004, 02:59:57 PM »

[quote name=\'melman1\' date=\'Jan 17 2004, 01:05 PM\']

Quote

somebody who actually knows how to write.

Maybe you could translate this line for me then?

"It even occasionally also changing its lineup in the process."

-- Mel "proofreader for hire" man [/quote]
"They occasionly change their lineup in the process".
Does this earn me 5 extra credit points, Matt?

Matt Ottinger · « **Reply #6 on:** January 17, 2004, 03:06:34 PM »

Typically, yes. But since we've established that we're dealing with absolute preciseness, I can't give you credit because you misspelled "occasionally".

chris319 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 17, 2004, 03:24:23 PM »

Quote

The Super Bowl of Nickel Slots, then Monster Coin Flipping.

Ooh! Ooh! I can hardly wait! I can die and go to heaven now!

A couple of years of casino games and people here will be yearning for the good old days when Jake Tauber was developing shows about DJs and billboard sitting contests or whatever the hell they were.

MikeK · « **Reply #8 on:** January 17, 2004, 04:44:44 PM »

[quote name=\'curtking\' date=\'Jan 17 2004, 11:54 AM\'] For those who don't get enough of an adrenaline rush from watching people hold and then lay down poker cards on every other channel, one of GSN's new "original" offerings is The World Series of Blackjack -- surely to be followed by The Super Bowl of Nickel Slots, then Monster Coin Flipping. [/quote]
5 or 6 years ago, I created a tongue-in-cheek game show proposal called Celebrity Coin Toss. Maybe I should pitch the idea to the new GSN.

"It's time for the bonus round! Let's wheel in the 50 lb. Sacajawea Dollar!"

Don Howard · « **Reply #9 on:** January 17, 2004, 05:25:48 PM »

[quote name=\'chris319\' date=\'Jan 17 2004, 03:24 PM\'] A couple of years of casino games and people here will be yearning for the good old days when Jake Tauber was developing shows about DJs and billboard sitting contests or whatever the hell they were. [/quote]
And the redneck show. Can't forget the redneck show. Has a host been announced yet for The All-Star Yak Urine Drink-Off?

BrandonFG · « **Reply #10 on:** January 17, 2004, 05:32:54 PM »

[quote name=\'Don Howard\' date=\'Jan 17 2004, 05:25 PM\'] [quote name=\'chris319\' date=\'Jan 17 2004, 03:24 PM\'] A couple of years of casino games and people here will be yearning for the good old days when Jake Tauber was developing shows about DJs and billboard sitting contests or whatever the hell they were. [/quote]
And the redneck show. Can't forget the redneck show. Has a host been announced yet for The All-Star Yak Urine Drink-Off? [/quote]
Personally, I was waiting for that exercise game show they had.

BTW, DJ Games never happened.

Jay Temple · « **Reply #11 on:** January 17, 2004, 05:34:01 PM »

[quote name=\'curtking\' date=\'Jan 17 2004, 10:54 AM\'] For those who don't get enough of an adrenaline rush from watching people hold and then lay down poker cards on every other channel, one of GSN's new "original" offerings is The World Series of Blackjack -- surely to be followed by The Super Bowl of Nickel Slots, then Monster Coin Flipping. [/quote]
And I thought the writers of a comic book many years ago were joking when a character said that his TV went off during Celebrity Tiddlywinks.

Don Howard · « **Reply #12 on:** January 17, 2004, 05:35:49 PM »

[quote name=\'Jay Temple\' date=\'Jan 17 2004, 05:34 PM\'] [quote name=\'curtking\' date=\'Jan 17 2004, 10:54 AM\'] For those who don't get enough of an adrenaline rush from watching people hold and then lay down poker cards on every other channel, one of GSN's new "original" offerings is The World Series of Blackjack -- surely to be followed by The Super Bowl of Nickel Slots, then Monster Coin Flipping. [/quote]
And I thought the writers of a comic book many years ago were joking when a character said that his TV went off during Celebrity Tiddlywinks. [/quote]
Said authors are now looked upon as visionairies.

tommycharles · « **Reply #13 on:** January 17, 2004, 07:20:00 PM »

[quote name=\'Don Howard\' date=\'Jan 17 2004, 05:25 PM\'] Has a host been announced yet for The All-Star Yak Urine Drink-Off? [/quote]
I believe this has aired in other countries under the title of "Endurance."

Author Topic: Article from Teevee.org (Read 4635 times)

tommycharles