Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!husc6!mit-eddie!mit-amt!mit-atrp!ralph
From: ralph@mit-atrp.UUCP (Ralph L. Vinciguerra)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: Disappointment !
Message-ID: <1659@mit-amt.MEDIA.MIT.EDU>
Date: Sun, 18-Oct-87 23:27:47 EDT
Article-I.D.: mit-amt.1659
Posted: Sun Oct 18 23:27:47 1987
Date-Received: Mon, 19-Oct-87 03:33:35 EDT
Sender: usenet@mit-amt.MEDIA.MIT.EDU
Reply-To: ralph@mit-atrp.UUCP (Ralph L. Vinciguerra)
Distribution: na
Organization: Big Time Television
Lines: 59
Keywords: Network XXIII, securicams, and "his oh-so-clever controller".

I was very disappointed this past weekend when I learned of the cancellation
of the "MAX Headroom, 20 minutes into the future" show.
This was the show that credits Commodore and the "Amiga Division"
for supplying(?) some equipment.
Apparently they use the Amigas in various ways for the show.
Now, I *loved* the show (and taped all the episodes), but the apparent
reason for its cancellation was that:

   "The viewers had to concentrate too much to watch it,
    unlike other shows where you can not pay attention
    and still get the idea".

Yeah, I see, like the regular shows with stupid laugh tracks to cue my
"numbed" senses, and completely inane plots and issues. I guess I'm just
upset that they took away one of the few shows that was at a different level.
But then again, TV was never about originality or creativity, just profit.
I guess I'll just have to do it all myself on my Amiga, and watch the public
channels for other interesting transmissions. Maybe they'll carry MAX Headroom.

This is a sad commentary on the viewing public.
I really feel like I want to have a few strong words with some network
executives about this. Why can't TV attempt to broaden its viewers instead
of just feeding them "ratings based drivel".
This show offered a chance to see a possible future world
of computer graphics, animation and other "stylish" video technology,
Then if you have an Amiga you could "play" with the same kind of stuff
on your own computer at home. What other show offers such a setup ?
It would have been a good show for CBM to advertise during, by having a
commercial with the same style.
But, unfortunately, the viewing public doesn't want such stuff.
I don't really mind the presence of the "drivel".... except when it preempts
stuff that is really promising and interesting.
Not all the other shows are "drivel"...but a frightening number of them
fall into that category for me.

Maybe the problem is with the "ratings" companies (Nielson?). Perhaps
they are the cause for this lop-sided, only-show-what-the-most-people-
will-watch, who-needs-breadth-of-programming attitude.
It was apparently reaching only 7 Million homes, instead of the
requisite 10 Million. Come on guys ! Give it a little time ! It was only
on for 6 episodes ! Oops, I forgot, time=money.

Gosh, I'm steamed !
It's sort of ironic that this show parodies the TV companies and the
rating system, and that's precisely what decided to stop showing it.

I hope I haven't upset people by mentioning this here, but since the
creative folks that made the show use some Amiga's I figured others in this
group would feel like me......disappointed that something new and exciting
got dead-panned by the American networks (it apparently was a big hit
in England).

PS: Amy Expo was a blast. I hope they have bigger rooms for the talks
at the next ones ! And *PLEASE* use the Amiga's during the talks to give
demos. I never make overhead transparencies any more when I give talks.
I just sign up in a room with projection TV and haul my Amy in.
Lot's of pizzaz and far more convenient for making the images.

Ralph