Hell date: Funny. Good formula tic but so is Cheaters, elimidate and every other show in this fashion. We are not asking for ban from those other networks for Formulatic shows. The midgets. I can take them or leave them. I see it more of exploited to small people as opposed to minstrel like. Black folks don't have midgetry lock down do we?
While the Culture Snob in me wouldn't mind seeing a ban on networks that would show Elimidate, I know those efforts would not be successful because the nose pickers have to watch TV too. However, this argument that "well, 'white' networks do this, and 'white' networks do that.." is really wearing thin with me lately. Why would this be considered a valid argument? Because there are stupid white kids who can watch Elimidate, then it's cool to play it safe at BET and make the same kinds of shows for stupid black kids? Just pointing out how weak that argument is. And please, let's not use the History Channel as an example for glorifying Gangsters, so BET should get a pass. History channel, like all the other "specialialy networks are programmed by marketing majors and MBAs, not Historians, not scientists. This si the network that has Ma and Pa Nose-Picker beliviing that World history started with the Roman Empire and ended with WW II. In fact, as far as the History chennle is concerned, that's the ONLY war worth noting! So no, I would point out History channel.
In mainstream culture, The Italian mob is portrayed in a romantic way, this is true, but within the Italian community, there have been organizations and movements that protest every chance they get for shows, docs, and movies not to romanticize the gangster as being cool. While these movements are being headed up by moral-majority types or Middle-American types, these sentiments have internal roots from the past when the Lucianos bullied shop owners for 'protection' money back when Italian immigrants lived together in their ghettos.
You stated why you like AG. Good. Again, I was asked what shows I don't like and I wanted to fair by expressing why and now I wanted to point out further why I don't like AG; for every gangster, there are victims. But I will say this; I do give AG writers and producers props for the "Crime doesn't pay" message in every episode and unlike the "History" channel, you'll never see that kind of message. I may not have looked at every episode of AG, but I do know that much about AG. I just wished that that same kind of production could be used for black historical figures that are rarley talked about or the history of Hip-Hop as a series.
Music videos. Cry to the cows come home. I am 35. I am out of the demographic for video shows. If you are younger then 30, good for you. Howeer the format of Rap n RnB that you look for the artist shun the radio and the cross over any way. I love Dead Prez but can we be serious. The content of their songs like F*$# the Radio and Turn off that BS aint establishment so why place them in an audience that is not there's? VH1 Soul and MTV 2 Bet Jazz are more to your liking Bro. Take that up with your cable provider if you don't have them.
Why do you say that the audience who listens to corporate radio are not Dead Prez audience? Where do you think Dead Prez audience member come from? There seemed to be room for Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On?" back in the day, what's different now? Are you really saying that what's shown is what young people want? If so, then how would you explain me? When I was in my teens and 20s I never would look at the video shows on BET. But remember, I'm not crying, just expressed what I didn't like about BET and why. But again, I think the age argument is weak. Btw, I do have MTV2, BET Jazz, and VH1 Soul. And? They still don't show anthing decent not very good alternatives.