Ditch the ads, upload images and much more - upgrade today from 5.95/month!
Read • Contests • Groups • Learn • Forums • Store • Help
 

On Listening to TV

Missing image
On Listening to TV

The advertisements on TV just amaze!
I cannot understand this current craze
to have background music blaring
which prevents the listener hearing
whatever words the advertiser says.

It is much the same with ‘plays’ where one is not
supposed, it seems, to understand the plot
for the vital dialogue
is obscured, as in a fog,
by the incidental cacophonic twot.

And why is it that when certain people speak
they gesticulate to emphasise each peak?
Their continual manual acting
I find utterly distracting
as if witnessing the actions of a freak!

All TV announcers, as a general rule,
should attend a proper elocution school
where they learn to speak more clearly
and pronounce their words less sparely
instead of mumbled muttering uncool.

For the daily news is hard to comprehend
when they gabble sentences from end to end.
Some announcers mouth so fast
that the episodes have passed
before one grasps whatever they portend.

Sports narrators on the other hand are good,
speaking loudly and distinctly as they should.
There’s no difficulty hearing
even over raucous cheering
of the crowds in the enclosures where they’re stood.

Though I’m getting old, I’m sure my ears work fine.
If TV announcers play it on the line
and, like sports narrators, SHOUT
to drown background noises out,
I am sure I’d have no reason left to whine.

So I call all TV listeners to unite!
Till incompetent producers get things right
and the vital spoken word
can at least be clearly heard,
let the other stuff play later in the night !

Hugh Wyles, June 24th. 2008.








Author notes

I love music but, watching "The Tudors" on "Sunday Theatre" last weekend, I would defy anyone to tell me what the actors were saying to each other. Almost all the dialogue was drowned by music which was mostly inappropriate and quite unnecessary. This is just one example of the inexplicably inept production bloopers which ruin otherwise probably good listening.
And I wonder: do advertising agents ever listen to the playback of the stuff they create for their clients?
You often can't hear a word in spite of the volume!
The elocution and pronunciation of some news announcers is another thing...............

In a list

Please tell me what you think

    : , Your review:

    Comment Suggestion: What is your your first impression?
    • Line numbers  • Invite them to read
    : no Cost: 0 free left 0 points, You have (?)

Comments

1 - 7 of 7

  • Mari Goes gold member
    June 29, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    I agree with almost everything you say, but about gesticulating while speaking...I do that a lot! I talk using my hands, actually using my head too. A deaf person could probably get what I'm talking about just by watching my moves. Yes, I can't help but using all the ways I can to TALK. I would annoy the grass out of you dad.
    Besos de tu hija
    Mari


    • hugh wyles silver member
      June 29, 2008

      Edit | Reply
      Do you wiggle your ass when you talk? LOL

      Besos y abrazos


      • Mari Goes gold member
        June 29, 2008
        Edit | Reply
        LOL You bet I do!
        And if I'm sitting down
        I shake my legs or feet
        I must move some body parts
        to make my talk feel complete




  • Yemassee gold member
    June 27, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    When I watch a basketball game the arena PA plays music while the play is going on...drives me nuts, loud, annoying and intrusive. That is my pet peeve of the day.

    I think those in charge are afraid of both empty space and viewers getting bored so they try to fill every space with something...I'm sure in a few years it'll be all advertising, while the actors speak, in the background (or foreground more likely) will be the latest coca cola jingle.

    Now if it were for Moxie that would be ok!


  • Hinemoa silver member
    June 27, 2008

    Edit | Reply

    Dear Babe,

    SOOO true about the loud music, they have it in the background in everything! Drives me nuts at times, I tell Heath "Turn the telly off dear and let's go to bed."
    And the advertisements GEEZ!They are sooo loud, I do like Joan does, turn the sound down.
    Enjoyed your poem Babe and a great picture with it.
    Love Hine


  • angelica silver member
    June 26, 2008

    Edit | Reply

    Dear Hugh,

    OHH I know exactly what you mean, it happens here in Australia too! The music is so loud it's hard to concentrate on the show. And the AD's they drive me crazy, they are SO loud that I put the mute button on until they're over. I think it's their way of thinking if they have it loud we'd pay attention and buy their products. But it's very annoying I agree.
    So let's all unite and stand outside the TV stations with our banners and protest.
    A beaut poem my friend and the picture you chose for it is bonza.
    Love Bea

1 - 7 of 7