Newton N. Minow, Chairman of the FCC in the early 1960's, said this in a speech to the National Association of Broadcasters in Washington D.C. on May 9, 1961. I'm sure everyone's heard the one famous line. After praising a number of shows from the previous season he says:
Newton N. Minow:
But when television is bad, nothing is worse. I invite each of you to sit down in front of your television set when your station goes on the air and stay there, for a day, without a book, without a magazine, without a newspaper, without a profit and loss sheet or a rating book to distract you. Keep your eyes glued to that set until the station signs off. I can assure you that what you will observe is a vast wasteland.
You will see a procession of game shows, formula comedies about totally unbelievable families, blood and thunder, mayhem, violence, sadism, murder, western bad men, western good men, private eyes, gangsters, more violence, and cartoons.
And endlessly, commercials -- many screaming, cajoling, and offending.
And most of all, boredom. True, you'll see a few things you will enjoy. But they will be very, very few. And if you think I exaggerate, I only ask you to try it.
I don't think TV has changed, and I'm including streaming. Most of what is out there is garbage, but hidden among it all are real gems. We won't all have the same gems, but they will be there nonetheless.
My favorite comedy show is relatively recent:
The Good Place
--Percy
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