MSNBC's Lockup is very disgusting and disturbing

[fried eggs]

I made the mistake of leaving the TV on MSNBC while taking care of various errands and I'm really disgusted and disturbed by what I've seen. A rapist talking about how he didn't hurt his victims physically. Murderers smiling as they recall their crimes. I don't understand why MSNBC runs that crap. They have so many talented individuals who could have a show on during the weekends but instead they opt to glorify violence and instill fear in viewers.

[MADem]

5. Who's "they?" And I think you're confusing MSNBC w/CNBC, because MSNBC doesn't run ANY business

programming.

[HiPointDem]

39. i agree, the lockup/cops type of shows have a propaganda function. some people (cough)

don't like to acknowledge that. it's true, nevertheless.

1. black people are scary.
2. white trash people are trashy.
3. if you go to jail you will be with these scary, trashy people.
4. conform.
5. join us in feeling morally superior to these scary, trashy, criminal people.

[Comatose Sphagetti]

44. "5. join us in feeling morally superior to these scary, trashy, criminal people."

Nailed it.

[Skittles]

2. they run it because reality TV is CHEAP

like offshore work, it is cheap and disposable

[MADem]

8. Yes, that IS it--it is both cheap AND profitable. They don't need to run low-viewership

infomercials and sell the time blocs for just enough money to break even; they can run these recycled prison shows with just one technician in a booth flipping a switch, no lights, no anchor at a desk, no producer, no director, no cameraperson, no make up/wardrobe, no nothing, and still beat out Faux and CNN in some markets.

People from all demographics LIKE "crime drama." It's as easy a sale as "COPS" marathons.

That said, MSNBC is looking at expanding their weekend programming with more "real people" shows. Ed Schultz is getting two hours on SAT, two hours on SUN pretty soon--I hope he has a good formula, because he's got some fertile and undisturbed territory -- a huge opportunity for him, I hope he hits a home run.

MSNBC is NOT a "business channel." It is a liberal news and opinion channel. You are confusing it with CNBC, which does not run weekend prison programming.

[MADem]

22. You are wrong, newcomer. And rather combative when you're wrong, too.

Frankly, your attitude speaks ill of you. I'll thank YOU to be a little less attitudinal, maybe you'll make a friend or two if you don't behave rudely, like you're doing right now. You're off to one helluva start, here.

You need to tune your dial to MSNBC, not CNBC (that would be the BUSINESS channel run by the NBC franchise), and watch and learn.

Rachel Maddow isn't business news.

Al Sharpton isn't business news.

Chris Matthews isn't business news.

Ed Schultz isn't business news.

Lawrence O'Donnell isn't business news.

"The Cycle" isn't much, but it isn't business news.

A "liberal" news channel that is a for-profit enterprise needs to make money to stay on the air, like any other network corporation does.

You do know that "Fox" has a liberal wing, too? Their news arm is conservative, but their entertainment arm appeals to liberal sensibilities (Family Guy, American Dad, Cleveland Show, etc.). Some of their local affiliates are much more liberal than their parent network, too.

It's all about the benjamins--no one's in it for altruistic reasons, and if you believe that, I have a bridge for sale, quite cheap, too.

[MADem]

34. I told you why the show is on the channel--it's all about the benjamins.

Much bang for very little buck. Those shows draw every demographic--old, young, liberal, conservative. When there's nothing to watch, those shows will hold the interest of many for an hour or maybe even two. They sometimes, as I said, out-draw CNN/Fauxsnooze in some parts of the country, depending on the time of day.


"Liberal" is a comparative term. MSNBC is to the left of both CNN and Faux. Read about MSNBC's "progressive lean" here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MSNBC

And, FWIW, GE announced last month that they are selling their chunk of the NBC franchise to COMCAST. They've been "absentee" for awhile, and moved up the sale for a hefty price: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/02/12/us-ge-nbc-idUSBRE91B1IM20130212

[MADem]

31. I am not talking about the book keeping, I'm talking about the positions on the TV dial.

The "Fox" station that plays the cartoons and comedy shows appealing to the liberals and moderates, that is tut-tutted by conservatives, is not the same "Fox" station where the news is played around the clock, and the opinion shows aren't down with the brown or say-hey with the gay. That station plays news geared towards a conservative audience all day being spouted by sanctimonious men and women wearing low cut blouses and very red lipstick.

No matter where the money is shoved, those are two different stations that are designed to appeal to two distinct demographics. That has not changed.

[MADem]

35. You are very rude.

I think MIRT needs to keep an eye on you--you're making DU suck with your shitty comments.

[MADem]

38. I don't dictate--the site TOS dictates. I advise you to do some reading, and soon.

http://betterment.democraticunderground.com/?com=termsofservice

By registering a Democratic Underground account, you agree to abide by these terms. A single violation of any of these terms could result in your posting privileges being revoked without warning.

The Democratic Underground Administrators have a great deal of confidence in our system of citizen jurors and software tools, but we are well aware that trolls are constantly on the lookout for new ways to cause trouble and therefore on rare occasions it may necessary for us to revoke a member's posting privileges for reasons that are not covered by these Terms of Service. Because of this necessity, we retain the right to revoke any member's posting privileges at any time for any reason.

...

Don't do anything else which is similarly disruptive.
Just because it isn't listed here, doesn't mean it's ok. If you post anything which is obviously disruptive, malicious, or repugnant to this community, its members, or its values, you risk being in violation of these Terms of Service.

One more thing: Don't push your luck.
The DU Community Standards state: "It is the responsibility of all DU members to participate in a manner that promotes a positive atmosphere and encourages good discussions among a diverse community of people holding a broad range of center-to-left viewpoints." Members who demonstrate a pattern of disruptive behavior over time and end up getting too many of their posts hidden by the jury (measured by raw number or percentage) may be found to be in violation of our Terms of Service. If you seem to be ruining this website for a large proportion of our visitors, if we think the community as a whole would be better off without you here, if you are constantly wasting the DU Administrators' time, if you seem to oppose the mission of DU, or if the DU Administrators just don't like you, we will revoke your posting privileges. Remember: DU is supposed to be fun — don't make it suck.

It's not up to me--your very own behavior will determine your fate.

[joshcryer]

41. Their fate appears determined.

Nice keeping civil after all those attacks.

[MADem]

43. I figure it's best not to stoop to their level.

You kept a good grip on your manners when interacting with that one, too, I noticed.

Incredibly rude fellow, not too subtle, either!

[Chipper Chat]

3. I'm forced to watch Fox on weekend afternoons

and it pisses me off.

[Logical]

7. Forced? n-t

[Chipper Chat]

15. I know

that sounds Il-logical.

[Rhiannon12866]

18. I will watch CNN on weekends if Don Lemon is on.

[nadinbrzezinski]

6. I think next week Eddie starts his afternoon show

5 PST, 8 EST

[fried eggs]

9. Sounds like a step in the right direction

[No Vested Interest]

10. You're correct - it's pretty bad, but

Have you seen "Cheaters", also shown on Sat. night?
Clark Gable's grandson - also named Clark Gable (I wonder why)- is the current host and he's the worst actor/host I've ever seen.

Once in a while the Lockup series has some interesting shows. - I've watched some about women in prison and their families visiting, etc.
But, all in all, Lockup is not my style of entertainment.

MSNBC also shows (again and again) the "Predator" series, which is obnoxious as well.

[fried eggs]

14. Cheaters is still on?!

I used to watch Cheaters for laughs. When the host was supposedly stabbed, it pretty much confirmed my belief that the show was scripted.

[No Vested Interest]

17. Yes, we have it Sat. night at 11 - SW Ohio Time-Warner

As I said, the new host Clark Gable - his real name - is awful -The worst actor/host I've ever seen.
You're right- it's bizarre. - almost can't look away sometimes.
Missed it tonight, though.

[davidpdx]

20. When I was in the US I would occasionally watch it as well

If I was bored during the day. It's almost as bad as Cops in terms of not only the demographic of people that appear on the show, but the demographic that watch it. That Joey guy was a real piece of work. He is pretty much unemployed after the fake stabbing on Cheaters

[Sherman A1]

42. All reality shows are scripted

they always have been.

[Archaic]

11. What it means.

What this means, is that through a ton of research, they've found that nobody watches them on the weekend anyway. And if people did, not enough to bring in better ad revenue.

If they produce content, it costs a bunch. Will advertisers pay for it?

So if they replay the same thing over and over, it costs them next to nothing to play it, and can skim a tiny bit of profit off of crappy commercials. I'm guessing here, but I doubt you're seeing car commercials or name brand products like Budweiser advertising during Lockup. You're probably getting risky motorist levels of auto insurance, debt relief, sketchy pharmaceutical stuff.

During Rachel's show, you'll get bigger brands, as better companies will vie for our eyeballs.

When ESPN used to admit that hockey exists, they had a show on a like 11:30 PM to give results since the internet hadn't taken off to provide 24x7 online info. So you'd watch the show, and catch the highlights.

Only the US Army and Slim-Jim advertised. Which said a whole lot about who they thought their audience was. I knew it wouldn't be long that ESPN kept that show.

[dogknob]

12. It's NBC showing their true colors.

MSNBC is the "depress the fuck out of progressives" channel; they spend the week getting people pissed off about injustices committed that are already a done deal -- and firing anyone who tries to report on anything that can be prevented...

...then they spend the weekend showing you where you will go if you ever try to do anything about it.

[Cal3bg]

45. Damn

Sadly, your assessment is right on the mark!

[JayhawkSD]

13. They air it because people watch it.

I don't know why people watch it, but all television channels measure very carefully what their audience is. If the show does not attract viewers it is cut, and pretty quickly. "Lockup" attracts viewers.

[davidpdx]

21. I agree with you

But in some ways psychologically speaking, it is interesting to study the behavior of some of the inmates who appear on the show. I haven't watched it in quite awhile because MSNBC is not available where I am in Korea (unless you get a satellite dish). It does seem like they rerun the episodes quite a bit.

[Cal3bg]

46. Well

Just know you're not at all watching an unbiased picture of them. This show is prison propaganda to make prisoners look terrifying and prison guards and other authorities look like sympathetic heroes.

[Raine]

25. It's hard to believe but their prison porn has a real following and gets good ratings. There was an

article sometime last year in the TV Guide that said it has a real following even among celebrities. I don't know how anyone can like that crap but apparently plenty do.

[MADem]

37. They don't "need" it but it pays the bills cheaply and easily. And it does attract an audience.

Here, read and comprehend how, over time, the show beat Fox in its timeslot:

http://www.mediaite.com/tv/on-friday-night-highest-rated-non-fox-cable-news-show-in-demo-was-msnbcs-lockup/

On Friday Night, Highest-Rated Non-Fox Cable News Show (In Demo)…Was MSNBC’s Lockup


http://www.mediaite.com/tv/friday-ratings-msnbcs-lockup-beats-greta-van-susteren-at-10-p-m/

Friday Ratings: MSNBC’s Lockup Beats Greta Van Susteren At 10 P.M. (In Demo)


http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/the-scoreboard-sunday-march-24_b172203

Lockup wins the timeslot...

[joshcryer]

28. To play devils advocate, doesn't this show the prison systems don't reform?

I've seen those prison shows a few times but they never got my attention because the people I saw were scum, who sort of reveled in their imprisonment.

[joshcryer]

30. Fair enough.

Prisons ran by prans with no public knowledge of the inside conditions of prisoners who have never even gone to trial would probably be preferable...

[joshcryer]

40. I see no purpose for "reality TV."

Do you know what "devils advocate" means?