A Reflection on Recent Criticism of the History Channel
It has been a fairly common complaint with both shows since they have started, and I must admit, when they first started to be aired I also had the same opinion, but having watched the shows and thought about what I was seeing, it has now started to annoy me. Pawn Star and American Pickers are both historical shows and can teach people a lot about history; please do not say that they are non-historical programming.
I understand these shows are not what most people have come to expect from the History Channel, or the history as has been taught and presented to most people. They don't tell you the big stories of history. There is no long, over-arching narrative that spans major events from around the world. You are not usually introduced to individuals, the "big men" of history who led nations and shaped the destiny of the world. There are no generals in uniforms leading courageous troops, no savvy politicians with devious schemes, no common men pushed to the limits of human ability to win a victory for their country. Instead, you get a dysfunctional family and a young man portrayed on TV as an idiot running a business in what is perceived to one of the world's sleaziest professions in a city that is perceived to be one of America's sleaziest cities and a tall wiry guy and a short pudgy guy who drive around rural America and climb through filthy barns and cramped storage spaces in order to find that perfect collectible they can sell for some cash, but there is still valuable history in these shows.
Every customer that comes into the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop carries with them a piece of history. Every old oil can, rusted sign, and strange toy found by Antique Archaeology is tells the story of our nation. The items that appear on each show are a vital piece of our material culture and tells you about the lives and mindsets of the average person in history. They show you how the people who have come before lived their lives, the images they saw, and the ideals they had. Every second of those shows gives you glimpse of the past. You discover even more when the appraisers and experts are called in to evaluate an item. Usually there is good solid knowledge presented these segments.
No, it is not the life stories of our presidents and generals. No, it is not the story of how the Nazis conquered Europe overnight using the "blitzkrieg". And no, it is not even a view of the average soldier in the Roman Legion. It is history, none-the-less, and I think these shows should be appreciated for the views of history they give us.
Besides, at least it's not F**KING Ancient Aliens.
I understand these shows are not what most people have come to expect from the History Channel, or the history as has been taught and presented to most people. They don't tell you the big stories of history. There is no long, over-arching narrative that spans major events from around the world. You are not usually introduced to individuals, the "big men" of history who led nations and shaped the destiny of the world. There are no generals in uniforms leading courageous troops, no savvy politicians with devious schemes, no common men pushed to the limits of human ability to win a victory for their country. Instead, you get a dysfunctional family and a young man portrayed on TV as an idiot running a business in what is perceived to one of the world's sleaziest professions in a city that is perceived to be one of America's sleaziest cities and a tall wiry guy and a short pudgy guy who drive around rural America and climb through filthy barns and cramped storage spaces in order to find that perfect collectible they can sell for some cash, but there is still valuable history in these shows.
Every customer that comes into the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop carries with them a piece of history. Every old oil can, rusted sign, and strange toy found by Antique Archaeology is tells the story of our nation. The items that appear on each show are a vital piece of our material culture and tells you about the lives and mindsets of the average person in history. They show you how the people who have come before lived their lives, the images they saw, and the ideals they had. Every second of those shows gives you glimpse of the past. You discover even more when the appraisers and experts are called in to evaluate an item. Usually there is good solid knowledge presented these segments.
No, it is not the life stories of our presidents and generals. No, it is not the story of how the Nazis conquered Europe overnight using the "blitzkrieg". And no, it is not even a view of the average soldier in the Roman Legion. It is history, none-the-less, and I think these shows should be appreciated for the views of history they give us.
Besides, at least it's not F**KING Ancient Aliens.