Christian journalist Gary McCullough claims that the reason American Idol has seen such low ratings is because Ellen DeGeneres’ lesbianism turns off many viewers. McCullough believes the show’s choice of DeGeneres is part of a larger push to have more gay people on TV, or what he calls a “pro-homosexuality bender.” His theory is that the networks will stay on this “bender” as part of a politically correct agenda, even if it means declining ratings and advertising dollars. He believes this is why American Idol and many other television shows are performing so poorly, but I think there are two real reasons for why TV is becoming irrelevant.
1. Current TV shows are just really awful. People from the baby boomer generation often talk about how good television was when they were younger and judging from some of the classic shows I have seen, this seems to be true. Even I recall be extremely interested in 1990s television shows (Seinfeld, The Simpsons, etc.), yet now the only show I feel compelled to even attempt to follow is South Park, which is itself a pale imitation of what it once was. I believe that shows tend to “jump the shark” around the middle of season two. Bonethefish.com, the successor to the original Jumptheshark website, lists Ellen’s arrival as only the eighth biggest reason the show jumped, and makes no mention of her sexual orientation. Indeed, the major reason the site lists for the show tanking is that it “sucked from the start” and was never worth watching.
2. People don’t watch TV as often as they used to. This is not only because people seem to work longer hours than they used to, but also because there are simply many more visual entertainment mediums to indulge in. From the internet, to 3D movies, to video games, to porn, the available options make traditional television look less and less appealing everyday. So far this year, 18-34 year olds, Idol’s core constituency and the group most likely to support gay rights, have been watching 5.8 percent less television. People of all ages are watching 2.3 percent less. Even my grandfather, one of the die-hard viewers who has been mesmerized by TV since its inception, now spends a large amount of time on the computer.
Conclusion: The gays are not killing TV, TV is killing TV. Maybe Gary McCullough and his “Christian” buddies watch Pat Robertson all day, but everybody else is finding better things to do.
I disagree about current TV shows being really awful. Although I absolutely despise reality TV, I think there are some scripted TV shows that are currently on or have recently ended that I would describe as very good (Bones, House, Lost, Modern Family, Dexter, Rescue Me, Castle, and United States of Tara are some examples, in my opinion). In fact, I often lament the fact that there’s so much good TV that I want to watch when I should be getting work done! Of course, I also watch everything online through Hulu or Netflix – I don’t even have basic cable – which might contribute to the problem you mention in section 2.
I’m not a huge fan of TV myself, but there are (were) a few shows that I did follow pretty religiously: 24, ’til it went off the air the other night (I’m still reeling), HBOs Treme (it’s fabulous and I love New Orleans, so …) and American Idol, but only because I want to BE on it. LOL
The Office is totally hilarious,the History channel has some good stuff.
Agreed, I think there are some really good shows. Reality tv just makes good tv look bad.
Oh, yeah, and this McCullough person – WTF? If I had to guess why ratings were going down on American Idol, I would say it’s because people are getting sick of it (I know I am, and I don’t even watch it!). Besides, weren’t ratings for AI already going down last season, before Ellen was part of the panel? Please correct me if I’m wrong, but I think I remember hearing that somewhere.
Your right,it has run its course,everything does.
Or maybe it’s the fact that the show has been on for 10 years and has gradually been declining.
How can it be her fault when her own show is doing so well?
I have seen it a few times and that woman is hilarious.
WTF,Ellen is gay. I’ve got to get out more.
(in the voice of a grizzled 1890s prospector) Durn gays! First hurricanes, now American Idol! Something should be done by gum!
But seriously I haven’t liked Ellen since (after) her days on Roseanne.
And they won’t be happy until we’re all listening to Judy Garland and hiring interior decorators.
That’s just asinine.
Then why is Ellen’s show doing so well?
Wikipedia says, “(The Ellen Show) has consistently risen in the Nielsen ratings and received widespread critical praise. It was nominated for 11 Daytime Emmy Awards in its first season, winning four, including Best Talk Show. The show has won 25 Emmy Awards”
She’s hosted the Emmys.
She’s hosted the Oscars.
She’s crazy talented.
This “Christian Journalist” must think the earth is 6,000 years old too.
OHMYGOD. i know him. D: D: D: D: D: and his SON. D:
he called me a crazy liberal. :/ and he’s insanely freaky. just saying.
and i can’t stand people who use god to justify their own ignorance and bigotry.
It must have been a slow news day for time..
Elleen and the rest of the world got over her being gay years ago. Think time is running out of shit to write about.
I think maybe they should focus on BP…
I was in K-mart with my aunt in the makeup aisle and passing the faces of all these models on the shelves and suddenly, Ellen. Just sayin.
Man, I only read the first 2 sentences, but STFU stupid Christian.
They should just rename all these award shows the “FASHIONS”.. Because of those show the teenagers have some personnality problems when award shows pay more attention to the way women look then then talent they bring to the industry. Women critizing women about the way they look. Is it more important for the actresses to win an Emmy or to get a good review from the fashion magazine In my view, the fashion industry does more harm than good…