TCM Sucks Without Robert Osborne and Here’s Why.
If you’ve been wondering why TURNER CLASSIC MOVIES, once perhaps the finest network on cable TV, is starting to stink like a rotten fish, you need look no further than the new faces who are now working there both in front of the camera and behind the scenes. The new blood seems to have no knowledge of film and no taste in film. Instead, they subliminally flaunt a sick fixation for focusing on phony diversity, crappy movies, and some really dumb promotional gimmicks.
“TCM used to be the TV station you could always turn to when you needed the comfort of a classic film. It had taste, and standards, and dignity….and it had Robert Osborne,” said TV writer Dave Matt. Read about him here. – Dave M talks about Robert Osborne.
(UPDATE: ROBERT OSBORNE DIED SHORTLY AFTER THIS WAS WRITTEN)
Nowadays, with Osborne somewhere in the distant horizon – and no one really knowing what’s going on with him apart from the fact that he’s old — TCM has lost its allure and class, and the only thing that saves it from being just another crappity cable show is that every now and then you get a brief look at someone like Bette Davis or Basil Rathbone or Olivia deHavilland, etc. The rest of the time you’re watching newer movies laced with profanity or obscure art films that bore you to death. Yes, these are movies too, and they have their place in the archive of film history, but most of it is pure pretense… and people are tuning out.
Between moments of cinema greatness, you have to sit through some really stupid stuff simply because a whole bunch of the staff at TCM were laid off. Someone named Jennifer Dorian stepped in to cover for the whole lot, and she might be partially responsible for the new “getting-shitty” TCM.
We prefer, however, to blame the dip in quality on the politically oriented hosts and amateur talents who taint the entire concept of what was once TCM.
“Even before Jennifer Dorian, the whole shakeup at TCM, and the semi-vanishing of Robert Osborne, there were still glimmers of some really shitty things to come on the horizon.” Excerpt from: Dave M talks about Robert Osborne.
It all started when Alec Baldwin somehow pushed his way onto the set — and let’s face it — that is what he did. This big dope, this politically moronic Neanderthal bully, managed to snag a short stint as a co-host alongside Robert Osborne. It took about 10 minutes for anyone with a brain to figure out that Alec Baldwin knows nothing about movies, and that he’s just an impostor who spouts meaningless cinephile-speak. He doesn’t even know how to pronounce FILM NOIR properly. Baldwin makes stuff up as he goes along — which is a sickening propensity shared by a lot of dimwitted celebrities when they’re not reading lines written for them on a teleprompter.
Alec Baldwin, with poor Robert Osborne noticeably squirming in his seat, authoritatively opined about classic films with descriptions things like: “You can see here how Hitchcock, in this ‘FILM NEW-ARE’ (film noir) was coaxing the sweat from your brow and convincing the hair on the back of your neck to stand up.”
Come on, Alex! Get the f**k out of here! Thankfully, he’s gone…for the time being. He’ll probably bully his way back dressed as Donald Trump while talking up movies about American Presidents. Yes. it might get that dumb over at TCM. In fact, I predict a full-out politically-slanted image for TCM in the near future.
I have chosen to exclude Sally Field from my list of shitty people on TCM because I think she is mentally sick and I would not want to say something bad about her — except that she is mentally sick in the kind of way where you don’t have to feel bad about mocking.
Another sign of the shitty decline which didn’t really show itself until the Presidential election of 2016, is the fact that Ben Mankiewicz, the guy who stepped up to do weekends a few years ago, and seemed to be somewhat tolerable, has turned out to be just another Hollywood Liberal Turd with his stupid and “nobody-is-watching” Young Turks news program.
Mankiewicz sat at the Young Turks News Desk ( if you can call it that) on election night along with his panel of totally untalented, uninteresting and utterly unlikable cast of young Turks and bemoaned the election of Donald Trump. Of course this was not related to his duties on TCM, but that kind of moonlighting shit trickles into the whole diorama that is TCM.
Here’s the thing, Ben: When a TV show has class, and Hollywood Politics starts to leak in, the viewers flee because the show starts to become coarse. And, like Hollywood itself, the whole shebang loses its charm and allure. Because of this Hollywood Politics factor that seems to be knocking at the core of TCM, the show has changed and become…SHTICKY. Do you know what I mean when I say SHTICKY? It’s almost as though the commentators should be accompanied by some canned laughter.
Now, to make this all even worse, TCM has aired these new segments where they bring in “viewer” co-hosts, and of course these people have no camera presence and they bore you to death.
There is a solid reason why some people are fans/viewers and some people are on-air hosts. The fans, for the most part, totally stink as hosts and should not be set before a camera.
It’s all so dumb…but not as dumb as the TCM WINE CLUB.
What merchandising skunk came up with that stupid idea? “Yes, this hearty Merlot goes great with any Bela Lugosi movie because its dark and dangerous aromas take us back to a bleak forest….” Gimme a break already. It’s so dumb that it’s not even worth writing about. Please, if you have any dignity at all over at TCM, get rid of that TCM Wine Club. You don’t need grapes, you need likable stars – if they’re still alive and functioning – to introduce the films for which they are famous.
Here’s an example:
“They had some nobody introduce THE BAD SEED when they probably could have gotten Patty McCormack herself to introduce the movie. She’s a very talented and engaging actress — and she is very much still around. Why do you need some nobody in that seat across from whomever, when the real thing is probably ready, willing and able to not only do the job, and hundreds of thousands will tune in to watch them do it?
“Hollywood and movies only exist because people get sick of seeing everyday people in their daily lives. TCM movies are the escape from the fact that, while we love our neighbors, they shouldn’t be on TV introducing films.
“Of course you can’t dig up most of the dead stars who play in these films, but at least make an effort to recruit some names. You know what, why don’t you pick up a phone and actually give the job to someone like Patty McCormack or Eve Plumb or a dozen other stars who would fit very nicely on TCM. There are some classy people out there in Hollywood who would do a great job.” Excerpt from: Dave M talks about Robert Osborne.
SUMMATION: Without Robert Osborne – now deceased- Turner Classic Movies is slowly getting shittier and shittier. Eventually it will have commercials and a reality show. If you’ve tuned into TCM lately you might hear, “Sorry, wrong number.” Not the movie – the operator.
TCM misses ( on purpose ) yet again. July 14th, Bastille Day . TCM titles their schedule ” Bastille Day “and could have run ” A Tale of Two Cities” and ” Marie Antoinette “. No, instead they are showing ” My Journey Through French Cinema ” , “Rules of the Game ” and two other movies that have NOTHING to do with the French Revolution.
July 14th, Bastille Day spotlighted by TCM . Not with ? ” Marie Antoinette” or with ” A Tale Of Two Cities “. Nope . A documentary about French cinema a bunch of French movies having nothing to do with Bastille Day or French history.
I concur with most of the comments. “Classic” has disappeared from TCM. Each time I find the station I wonder whether there will actually be great movie on. It’s sad that the new power brokers have hijacked this great network. You’re wrong, Ben. Robert would NOT approve.
And while I like some of the hosts, I find the “mutual adoration society” laughable. If you’re good, the viewers will let you know. You shouldn’t have to sell one another. Rather than promoting yourselves, go back to the original, unique programming the fans loved. We can find what you’re shelling out now on dozens of other stations.
“Women Make Film ” 14 week of this , 100% agenda driven. Summer under the stars .. really ? Dorothy Dandrige is the star of the month for September. She was in some movies but a movie star?
She’s black ain’t she? Being black makes you EVERYTHING on TCM. Next month will be dedicated to the great work of Buckwheat.
The person that was talking about “ mutual adoration society” hits the nail right in the head. Maybe because they are no talents, they need to over promote one another. Yes just introduce the movies. Seems they went from 1 1/2 hosts to like 5, maybe their increased payroll of hosts is why we are paying for the channel now. It also appears they are doing less and less movies, and more and more talking, sorta of the way MTV use to be music video. MTV is just garbage now, are they still even a channel? Serious question
TCM is now a giant anti-white, anti-man shit show. They could have endless special movie star guests but choose instead to have these no talents. It’s all about being diverse but these DIVERSE morons have to natural talent. The black girl ALWAYS recommends a black movie or a black actress – it’s a complete mess. Now they are doing women directors — note that women suck at directing movies. It’s a man’s field.
I completely agree with you. What was once a refuge for those of us who wanted to explore great films and their history and, maybe, learn a little bit about how our favorite films were made from bona fide sources, like Maureen O’Hara, has now devolved into a politically-motivated, base, commercial enterprise. Wine selling is their stock in trade now. And Mankiewicz has taken the show down so far from the wonderful place Osborne created that I seldom watch anymore. I have my DVDs and tapes of those old films and don’t need his PC slant. For the life of me, I don’t understand why they don’t just run Robert Osborne intros five days a week.
And now, you can watch these ( every Thursday night in March ) classic movies but you have to fee badly about it,…………..social justice and all that.
So tonight in order to enjoy Flower Drum Song, I had to endure a political indoctrination session given by a lefty Sociology Professor from some California looney bin… After it was over another political session from the same crew… Lefty Benjy and Disney will ruin this just like everything else the left touches… Pretty soon their ratings will be just like the Oscars…
Yes, Charles – Every film on TCM comes with a demented social justice warrior’s disclaimer. These leftists have no concept of art with regards for issues germane to its time or era. The left is primitive-minded, mentally limited, simplistically unimaginative.
Damien LeGallienne
Editor.
09/29/2021 the movies keep getting worse and worse ,not worth the excta money I pay,infact I cannot find anything I want to watch anymore I am ok with my DVDs, sorry been A TCM customer for many years.
Here it is Oct. 2021 and TCM has bit the dust as far as I can see. These hosts (all of them) are overrated and pompous. The wine club, the new logo’s, the guest hosts, and especially the people they pick to introduce movies (guest hosts) are out of their mind fanatics.
There is no saving this TCM now. It WAS one of the BEST programs on TV. Thanks for turning it into vomit.
It’s my understanding (I can’t tell you for sure, seeing as I don’t watch it anymore) that Turner Classic Movies now has something called “TCM Reframed.” Apparently, this is where they have their box-checking hosts explain to you intellectually-inferior plebes that the picture they just watched is “problematic”… apparently on account of it not being anti-White or “woke” enough. Perhaps they should think about doing “TCM Hosts Reframed.” Seeing as nobody can stand any of the hosts they currently have, through the magic of CGI, the reanimated corpse of Robert Osborne can come on and explain to what few viewers they still have left why all the box-checkers who replaced him are “problematic.” Hell, I might even temporarily lift my permanent boycott of the network to see that.
I’m late to this discussion and just got lucky running across it. I was there was an alternative to TCM. I watched it since it came on the air and now..
You all have pretty much summed up what the problem is with it and said it all much better than I could.
If anybody finds an alternative station please post it somewhere. Please!
Thanks,
Joanie come lately
You’re never too late to comment, JOan. – In fact, TCM has gotten even worse with their “diversity” over the past few months.
Wednesday nights in April = junkies and alkies. With making Errol Flynn the star of the month and commemorating Doris Days birthday, they had to do something to tank the month.
Last night ” Berkeley Square ” was shown. The ever smug Ben made a fool of himself by constantly pronouncing is ” Burkly “, in England , where the movie is set it’s pronounced BARKLY. Someone should have done a bit of research.
Helene, TCM is so woke now, that it’s ratings have plummeted.
SO long TCM – It was nice while it lasted.
Whoever’s stupid decision was it to change the format of this once beloved classic channel is quickly destroying its long-standing reputation and your loyal viewing audience.
You clearly do not care for your present audience and have stupidly decided on a change. Let me know how that works out for you. Probably won’t and you will all eventually get lost among the rest of the channels instead of a channel that stood out. That could spell disaster for all who presently work there.
Listed below is some of the junk this supposed “classic movie channel” aired this month.
One is just 4 years old. How They Got Over. Chosen for what reason? Let me look at the cast. Ahhh… I see. A political choice. So, Turner Classic movies no longer have to be classic, they just have to be political to meet an agenda.
Please rename your channel to just Another Movie Channel. It would be more appropriate.
Sadly, myself and others can no longer depend on Turner Classic Movies to play family movies and classic movies with our favorite old stars of the 30’s, 40’s 50,s and 60’s. TMC has an agenda now, so when you sit down to relax to nice old movie don’t be surprised if MAD MAX starts playing.
No Thanks.
Calling my cable company and asking them to delete this from my list of channels.
Enjoy your new audience…….. assuming they are there.
I suspect you will lose the loyal audience you did have turning in.
I see other channels and apps that supply REAL classic older movies. We will go there.
This channel is no longer LOYAL to its long-standing loyal viewers.
So long.
Examples of the NOT SO CLASSIC movies you are showing this month. (below)
Mad Max 1979 ??!!! This is now a Turner “classic” movie? lol hilariously stupid!
How to Survive a Plague 2012 ??? A favorite old classic. lol
How they got Over 2018 (This is from 4 years ago. How is this classic?) Ohhh, I see how. SO obvious.
Dead Man 1996
Eating Raoul 1982
Safe 2001
The Remnants of the Day 1993
Go Fish 2001
Death in Venice 2013
Mur Murs 1981
The White Balloon 1995
Ransom 1996
Mrs. Soffel 1984
The Watermelon Woman 1995
Mala Noche 1986
Bright Lights Big City 1988
Puppet Master 1989
Spaceballs 1987
Near Dark 1987
Desperate 1990
Every Man for Himself 1980
I, too, am disgusted with the film choices TCM makes now. With so many truly classic films available, why are they scheduling junk like those Jaywell listed. I watch Noir Alley because Eddie Muller knows his stuff, but I have no interest in the toothy Alicia, who should have been a fashion critic, or the shallow Ben M., whose commentary is worse than sophomoric. How I wish we could re-run the TCM shows aired before Robert Osborne’s death. The new format of TCM simply sucks. It panders to an audience that it has created, not the original TCM audience. What a great loss to American culture. TCM used to be a bastian of taste. Now it’s an embodiment of tastelessness, not to mention stupidity; that Wine Club is utter rubbish, a marketing ploy on steroids, empty of content. TCM mirrors the dumbing-down of America now. God help us, if TCM represents “culture” in the current environment.
Robots are the October ” star ” of the month. AND it’s Hispanic Heritage month, and there’s a tribute to Pam Grier and in November……… so called films that shaped our culture, among them The Boys in The Band and Brokeback Mountain.
AND why doesn’t TCM show “Miracle on 34th Street ” on Thanksgiving anymore?
They are waiting for the DIVERSE version
Indigo, soon they will show DEEP THROAT.
Saturday and Sunday nights in November……more movies with lectures.
It’s getting worse too.
Chiming in to agree with you all. What I don’t understand is why they are always labeling films “problematic” and apologizing for them when they were made decades ago. Why choose to work for a network whose product you find distasteful? It’s history. It’s interesting. It’s nice to see how far we’ve come in society. I hate the lectures and the shaming of film makers who have no voice to defend themselves.
I also hate that they show so many crap modern movies. Are they just cheaper? There’s nothing classic about terrible movies from the 70s forward.
All we ask is to have a place to go for comfort movies, to escape from politics and modern life. Robert O gave us that. The new hosts have too much ego to leave themselves out of it. We tune in for movies, not them.
The latest insult is on their app. When I try to watch films already shown, all I can see is the “host into”, but no movie. That’s what I usually fast forward through!
Thought I was the only one being so disappointed in the new format. I even wrote to them regarding their poor choices of “classic” movies. They told me it was my local stations who chose the line up of movies!
Such a dishonour to Robert’s memory. The new hosts rightfully display the state our world is falling to.
Oh for the “good old days” and their talented actors, including hosts who honoured them with knowledge and reverence.
Rose, if TCM told you “it was my local stations who chose the line up of movies,” they are lying, That is NOT true. TCM has one programming schedule which ic seen by the whole country and abroad.
Well Said! I couldn’t agree more, I’m so incredibly disappointed in TCM it used to have style & standards it is now one of the worst channels out there. It was one of the few reasons left for keeping cable, now that it’s so crappy, I jumped ship got a Roku and cut my cable bill in half, I am saddened by the loss of this beloved classic channel, that is now just full of liberal garbage. Thank you for giving the real true classic fans a place to vent their frustration.
Just saw the programming for June and July,…………..PC, woke and pandering.
I saw it too, and you’re 100 % correct.
Shown yesterday ” Without Reservations “, today for part of Claudette Colbert’s birthday tribute ” Without Reservations ” again and a repeat of what played prime time this past Saturday , the 1934 ” Imitation of Life “. Laziness, though I suspect that ” Imitation of Life ” was replayed for the race angle.