Why has 'Roots' been demoted to cable?

[sampsonblk]

For its 25th and 30th anniversary, you'd think this high-rated mini-series would get a premiere spot in prime time. Or is it just me?

FYI, TV One is doing a great job. But why not a major network???

[Duer 157099]

1. Heh -- it's all in perspective

To me, cable is a promotion, not the other way around.

I cannot stand watching network teevee

[Joe Fields]

4. I agree.

Can't stand network television, and the truth of the matter is that ratings are so fragmented anymore that the big three networks draw pretty puny shares of audience anymore. Some cable channels do a much better job of presenting shows like Roots. I'm glad it's on cable. I've enjoyed watching it a lot more.

[-..__...]

2. Supposedly...

after the mini-series originally aired, a lot of black parents named their new born infant sons "Kunte Kinte". That was 30 years ago and I've yet to
meet, know, hear of, read about any black male with that name.

[sampsonblk]

3. I actually do know someone...

named Kizzy. After Kunta Kinte's daughter. I thought that was pretty cool.

[Catherine Vincent]

7. I've heard of a lot of Toby's.

:)

[orleans]

18. i know a ton of people named alex (n/t)

[Wickerman]

5. I'm guessing TV One offered the best dollars for it?

Network doesn't have the dollars for summer broadcasts so much anymore.

[aikoaiko]

6. I just rewatched for the 1st time since I saw it new.

While it is still a hell of an educational and awe-inspiring story, there is a lot of melodrama and overacting. At best the acting is theatrical in nature.

[sampsonblk]

10. It was a TV movie, not for the big screen

Yes, I saw some bad acting also.

For a TV movie I thought the quality was exceptional. Keep in mind that many of these actors had day jobs. This film was not their primary focus.

[aikoaiko]

14. True, its just as a youngster the series seemed perfect.

Now, less than perfect. But I still sat through the whole thing from Africa to free men and women in the US.

[michreject]

19. I've never seen it

Don't watch television except for football and basketball games.

[aikoaiko]

21. Its worth watching if for no other reason than the important and many cultural references.

I suppose reading the book would be better, but who reads these days.

[Captain Hilts]

8. Haley got into a lot of legal trouble with plagerism or something like that. nt

[w8liftinglady]

9. I had this conversation with my co-workers

why are African-Americans in my area so complacent?They had no real explanation for it.I have tried wholeheartedly to enlist some of my co-workers in activism,only to be dismissed.They appreciate my activism,and know my politics.Why aren't more people getting involved?You tell me.

[Horse with no Name]

11. Fear.

That would be my guess.

[sampsonblk]

12. Because they don't feel a sense of urgency anymore

They haven't been taught. So they have to see a problem firsthand, or they'll never join the fight. Very unfortunate.

What's even worse is that (in my opinion) this has led many black people away from the compassion we used to have for other groups in need.

[BlooInBloo]

13. Because Americans are too stupid to be interested in history.

[sampsonblk]

17. I think we might have a winner!

[Deja Q]

20. Because we're ashamed of our past and spin it to say other things?

I was initially taught by school that America was a "melting pot" where everybody always came in harmony.

70s TV had shows taking place in the 1800s where Whites and Blacks and Native Americans in perfect harmony.

Then came high school where *gasp* we had issues like slavery, exploitation, etc. This is when I learned that Asians were used in near-slave conditions to help build the railroad system.

And only 15 years after graduating high school did I realize all those Saturday AM tv kiddie cartoons I adore had racist scenes in them. Partly because someone chopped out any potentially 'threatening' scene.

We're taught to be ashamed of our past. Not to live and grow from decisions. Then we censor and revise the past to make ourselves a fiction.

[pstokely]

15. Demographics probably

Much of the 18-34 demographic wasn't born when it originally aired

[book_worm]

16. Everything shows up on cable==more people watch cable than the three networks

that's why the networks don't get the ratings they used to. There are many landmark shows which no longer are broadcast on network television but wind up being rerun on cable. I'd say be happy somebody still shows it. Plus it can be gotten in its entirety on DVD or VHS--which I have.