"Network Graphics, Scrolls, and Distractions"
On your TV screen today, they can be seen everywhere. Logos (both clear and opaque), tickers (known as "scrolls"), large graphics, animated graphics (involves the logo or promotes a show), shrunken credits, show promotions, and TV ratings. It's hard to believe that things like on screen logos were originally used to prevent illegal use of a station's material (Cable News Network for example), yet nowadays they appear "useful" to distinguish one channel from another or remind viewers that they are watching "GSN", or Game Show Network as I still call it. Not only do most of these almost permanent “fixtures” of TV can make in uneasy for the eyes of TV viewers, depending on its appearance, but can frustrate many VCR users who want to archive shows and those who just want to watch without interruption. Here's a good example of such a dilemma:
Lets say a viewer wants to record a Game Show Network marathon of "The Joker's Wild", yet during every show some sort ticker or large promotion for "Casino Night" that is much larger than the network's logo made an appearance. The viewer realizes he or she has no control around the graphics and must be forced to carry the legacy of TV's biggest mistake on videotape until it's finally realized these type of graphics are pests. The "Coming Up Next" graphics from the Game Show Network we watched 2004 can actually be tolerated, yet since becoming "GSN" (whatever that stands for), graphics from the tickers to the logo have increased to the point of you asking yourself (or a friend, relative, employee) "Is this really necessary?" I guess Game Show Network has forgotten that it’s actually possible to use a more tolerable ticker; remember “The Gong Show” 25th anniversary marathon (which I taped, by the way).
After Game Show Network's change in public image, longtime viewers noticed that almost every time a program ends, show & network promotions would squeeze the credits into a tiny box (this brings our "The Joker's Wild" taper to mind). Sometimes one can feel sorry for the folks behind the scenes of shows such as "Match Game", "Blockbusters", "Tic-Tac-Dough", and even "Russian Roulette". From music composers to the directors, their names must sadly suffer as "GSN" promotes original programming above their heads.
Before ending this lengthy article, we return to the large on screen promotions, plus I must touch the issue behind "TV ratings". Game Show Network must be aware that their own promotions actually effect a show's on screen elements, such as the questions/answers on "Who Want To Be A Millionaire" and any version of "Password". Here’s another blackeye for the viewers, TV ratings. Since the Federal Communication Commission's crusade as some sort of "caretaker" or "enforcer" for children began during the early 1990s, television has been placed under the fear of fines, requirements, and TV ratings (TV-G, Y, Y7, PG, 14, MA). Young children and adults don't need "TVPG" to warn them of "Match Game's" seemly mature elements, the former must face this reality head-on as they grow up into full-fledge mature young members, or they will always find the humor seen in "Match Game" as something numerous folks in the government and in groups ("parent groups" and such) as something "indecent". As for the parents, only they can explain certain elements of shows don't seem "wholesome".
My goodness so many issues covered in less than an hour (according to the computer clock). The issues I brought before y'all must never be ignored or else Game Show Network (or GSN), the FCC, and much of television in general shall always enjoy the liberty of ruining the viewers' television experience.
