Retired now from a career in TV
At non-commercial PBS in a university.
PBS and C-SPAN are commercial free,
The kind of TV I like to see.
Instead of encouraging bad behavior
I saw TV as a positive endeavor.
The thought of TV uplifting I would savor.
Instead its mindless dribble people favor.
TV isn’t used to increase understanding.
It is a vast wasteland of very long standing.
My hope for TV slowing dying, -- hopes disbanding
That TV would evolve beyond its ads so demanding.
Happily there are channels that approach my vision.
CNN International has this mission.
At CNN they have made the decision
To show other culture’s condition.
The Travel Channel with great imagination,
Tells with suspense and dramatic anticipation
Enhances the viewer to enhance appreciation
Of this and that other nation.
To my surprise
I now realize
Most people despise
A learning enterprise.
It’s not TV’s fault,
Gives people what they want.
My vision pale and gaunt,
My hope now dead, come to naught.
At least don't be caught by DieTech unawares,
Wanted some money; thought I’d take theirs.
Unaware of the pitfalls and the snares
Didn’t have money, but had few cares.
Loved that cute dumb man on TV
Who could never win against DiTech.com,
Thought no one could be dumb as he.
Till DieTech’s cash crossed my palm.
Not for nothing did they give me the money.
Now I owed back more than I got.
Now my outlook was no longer sunny.
Using their money, I wish I had not.
Now worse off than I was before,
No way to get out of their deal.
More than before I am now more poor.
If only I had NOT accepted their appeal.
DieTech.com hoodwinks people unawares,
Needing money; they borrow theirs,
Unaware of its pitfalls and its snares,
That this will only increase their cares.
Not for nothing do they loan their money.
You now owe more than before, you will, Honey.
Now the dumb guy in the ad isn’t so funny.
Now your finances are even less sunny.
So many ads are deceptions and lies.
It really pays to be penny wise.
Don't let them fool you with their disguise.
Ads on TV are but greed motivated cries.
Ellis
Author notes
Don't let them fool you with their disquise.
Ads on TV are but greed motivated cries.
Written October 22nd, 2005
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1 - 10 of 10
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great
I don't watch TV and the channels here are different in name but not in the garbage they provide. There are only two channels worth watching and they are both non-commercial. I my opinion the answer to what TV should be is off.
It is so frustrating that the good that TV could have done has been lost.
I enjoyed this poem. I could identify with so much of it as my feelings have undergone a change over the years as the quality of the programs went down.
Well written and most enjoyable. -
I love the channels that you've mentioned so eloquently in this finely rhymed poetic experience.
I have been on PBS (IdeaStream) here in Cleveland. I love Public Broadcasting Television. I also am very impressed by the History Cahnnel, and CNN is the only news boradcast I watch on television. TV is, and can be a tool for learning, if that's the way we want to apply it to our lives. It also can be the "idiot box" that it is, if that's what we are looking for. For sure there is something for everyone.
When my kids were younger, and got too caught up in television, I would place it "On Strike"! LOL Simply shut it off for hours, days even... LOL Made my kids read books or create games to amuse themselves.
The television is an inadament object. It can't do anything without us. That's what amazes me about people who get so sucked into it. Sometimes I cut it off, and listen to jazz or classical music on my radio.
Sorry that I'm so long winded, and tend to babble but I do that when I relate to what I've read. This writ is a classic. I will be back to enjoy more of your works.
Much Love,
Renee
P.S. Thanks to Bazza for the introduction. -
Finally have been able to locate you by a poet name search here on AP! please know that I've tried!
and I agree with your poem's opinion as to commercial TV. always appreciated PBS and what it had to offer from the time my daughter was a baby with Sesame Street, Mr. Rogers, Reading Rainbow, etc., and even now as an adult. everyone loves being entertained by the programs they watch, but to include a learning experience in that, which PBS still offers to me as an adult, is a bonus! gotten so it's only the Lehrer News Hour I even trust for news anymore!
Jo -
Yeah.. somebody up there knows Gil Scott Heron..!! wow..
yes, this revolution will not be televised nor should it brainwash us and our children..
excellent ideas.. not altogether going to come to fruition but who cares eh'?? good writing.. liked it
~GILL~x -
Wise
This was ruly inspired. A worthy warning that so many will not be able to heed. But! It hasd to be said and re-said in as many forms and fashions as possible to reach all the types and phobes. Thanks for taking the time to write it down. -
Yip "THE REVOLUTION WILL NOT BE TELEVISED"- that poem said it all and your poem contextualises it so well! liked this a lot- for its form, style and content, I am a Media major at university at the moment and we all seem to have these great ideals, see how long it lasts I guess.
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Lol, wow, I must say this was a very interesting and a flowing poem that took you through the whole thing. The way you started with hope all the way to the point of no hope and in despair had very good transitions. The rhyming was very well done. I enjoyed it a lot!!!
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This is a really good piece i like it alot good write
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Good
there's no such thing as something written beinmg too long, only a reader's attention span being too short!A piece is as long as it needs to be for the poet to feel he'd expressed what he intended to express! Interesting commentary! Write On! -
its good but too long i gave up readin it half way thru, but good anyway
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