Total Liars Club

I reluctantly admit that I have an unusual fascination with TLC – otherwise known as The Learning Channel. When I say my fascination is ‘unusual’, I’m not referring to some strange interest in poor quality television, but rather to my own incessant need to understand why anyone would believe any of the crap that’s aired on the misleadingly-titled network. The word ‘Learning’ is imbedded in the network’s name, so one would naturally assume that TLC’s programming is somehow educational.

Perhaps the network maintains its title image by appealing to ignorant, right-wing North Americans, who put their faith in the seemingly compassionate nature of TLC’s show schedule lineup. You know, the great reality shows of our time that follow such plot lines as: Obese individuals on a journey to weight loss or self-love in a diet-obsessed universe; Mormon polygamists searching for acceptance in a predominately monogamous world; moms of under-aged beauty queens looking for parental validation in a helicopter-parenting society; Fundamentalist Christian families preaching simplicity and overpopulation in a sex-obsessed, birth control-moralizing nation; and self-proclaimed psychics who ‘converse’ with the dead in a perpetually dying civilization.

Not only is the programming on the so-called learning channel not educational, it’s downright offensive to the scientific community. There should be SOME truth to a network that claims to teach something of value to their viewership. But this clearly isn’t the case, as there isn’t a single show on TLC that preaches knowledge through science. Perhaps the network should seek to become more inclusive by adding a show or two about evolution; and air it, of course, right after an episode of that family with 20 kids. Or they could take a cue from The Discovery Channel and include a show about proving the existence – or non-existence – of ghosts.

Sure, TLC’s shows are entertaining – in a dizzying, roundabout, frenetic, freak show sort of way – but they’re not even the least bit educational. Yet, I still flip the channel to watch that guy with four wives…

Thanks for tuning in!

Heather, a.k.a. The Pretty Little Atheist

Just for fun, check out the Top Ten Signs You're a Fundamentalist Christian on Evil Bible.com

**Please not that The Pretty Little Atheist is in no way affiliated with TLC (or The Discovery Channel). This is merely an opinion piece about the network’s choice of programming**