Saying goodbye to Oprah

Winfrey impacted TV industry and community Read more

Nurse advocate calls for less painful portrayals

Group founder wants more autonomy for TV nurses Read more

Local rapper, TV star going ‘Big’

Vegas music artist Big B hits charts with ‘Outlaw’ image Read more

Making the cut: dancers get shot at glory

Fox reality show hosts auditions in Vegas for fifth season Read more

Student booted from cable show

Student’s analysis on the Mountain West’s channel forces university’s hand Read more

‘Turbo-boosted’ TV nostalgia

Blast from the past: ‘Knight Rider’ Festival skids onto Fremont Street, raises money for charity Read more

Manatee Fair: Homework fatally neglected, return of ‘House,’ ‘24’ suspected

 

A pile of sophomore Jacob Harris’ accounting and biology homework was abandoned and left for dead early Monday night, UNLV police reported yesterday. Read more

Daytime Television

With Christmas and New Year’s behind us, we’ve officially entered the Christmas doldrums.  Sleeping late and doing nothing have given way to…more sleeping and doing even less.  The only regret a student might have is that instead of sleeping in until noon or 1 p.m. is that they could sleep until 5 or 6 p.m. and skip all the horrible crap on TV during the day.

Oh yes, Daytime Television:  outrageous plots, beautiful people, low production values, shallow dialogue and a whole lot of sexy time.  It’s like some stupid comic book universe where everyone’s superpower is overacting.  I’m not sure which is more disturbing:  studios thinking that the targeted demographic (homemakers) finds this appealing or the fact that these shows have been on for decades proving the studios right.  I have seen the Fall of Man, and it has something to do with The Days of our Children’s Hospital Boldly Turning the Restless.

But I take some comfort in the existence of the Daytime Emmys.  It’s the Special Olympics of the TV industry.  It’s like everyone admits that Daytime TV has a limited aptitude and severe lack of quality shows, but hey, there are no losers in television.  You kids can have a little awards show for yourselves.  Medals for everyone!

Of course, aside from the epidemic of illegitimate children, evil twins and gay husbands infecting the network channels, cable doesn’t look much better.  Countless syndicated “Law and Orders”, a “Hogan Knows Best” marathon, “Dog Whisperer” and hours upon hours of Nazis and Nostradamus on The History Channel comprise the bulk of the Cox daytime universe.  As an aside:  in this situation, always go with the History Channel.  One hour provides enough conversation material for 3-4 parties or pub nights.

While the options are bleak, do not lose hope.  In the desolate void of daytime TV, it’s the man with DVR who reigns supreme.  You can control your entertainment destiny with a little planning and the push of a button.  It’s the difference between crossing the Sahara on camel or Corvette.  One is surviving, the other is L-I-V-I-N.  (Gratuitous McConaughey reference)

But for now, I will retire to a book and the basement.  Believe it or not, TV is wearing me out. 

And if I see another Sea-Bond commercial I’m going to kill myself.

mtvU show filmed on UNLV campus, airs Nov. 17

MTV’s new show “College 500″ is making a pit stop at UNLV. Read more