If you are too weak willed to give up all your favorite ABC shows

[kaygore]

at least do not begin watching the new shows that they are adding to their line up.

Several have been acclaimed by the critics, but if we don't get hooked in the first place, then we won't miss anything and our NOT tuning in will, I promise, have serious financial blow back for ABC and then Disney.

However, I hope that we all love our country more than "Grey's Anatomy," "Boston Legal," "Lost," "Desperate Housewives," etc. and ESPN and other Disney-owned media and entertainment outlets. And JUST NOT TUNE IN. We have had a break this summer, so just pretend that the new season has not started.

You don't have to be a Nielsen household to have a negative impact. The very fact that we are not talking about these shows and thus preventing them from becoming part of the culture will have an significant impact.

Also, make a point of watching, if possible, the new shows on other networks. And, for those who love "Grey's Anatomy," "House" is a great substitute. Also, Without a Trace has the plumb spot on Sunday night. We can also rediscover "Law and Order" on NBC. Give them and others a try rather than an ABC show.

[Nikki Stone 1]

1. And Cold Case!

I was watching ABC only for General Hospital because they have a storyline where one of the main teen characters is getting an abortion and I wanted to see if they went through with it. Apparently ABC gave them the go ahead.

Now that I know that they did, I can stop watching.

[americanstranger]

2. Isn't 'Cold Case' a CBS show?

My wife and I watch it on TNT, but I thought it was a CBS show. They also run 'Without A Trace,' which is on CBS.

I could be wrong on that, tho.

- as

[Nikki Stone 1]

30. Yes. I was adding it to the OP's list of Law and Order and Without a Trace

:)

[americanstranger]

33. Ah. I read wrong.

Sorry 'bout that. :)

- as

[Nikki Stone 1]

34. That's ok. :)

It could have been perceived either way

[kaygore]

18. Bet that poor teen is sold into white slavery or hit by lightening

or something for having that abortion!

[Nikki Stone 1]

31. That's what I am waiting for--soaps are notoriously cowardly

and so far, the RW hasn't been complaining or boycotting. The only hope I have is that GH was cooperating with the National Teen Pregnancy Center, so maybe they will be responsible.

[Nitrogenica]

3. I've given them all up, it easy! Most ABC sucked anyway.

I like to send an e-mail every now & then to remind ABC of the reason why.

[tnlefty]

4. I must be in the clear because I've never watched Grey's Anatomy,

Boston Legal, Lost, Desperate Housewives!! I'll check on blocking other channels owned by Disney, and I haven't watched the local channel since this PTcrockumentary aired.

Nope, c-span, FSTV, LinkTV, The Science Channel, and a few movie channels does it for me! :hi:

[Sugar Smack]

5. Well, I must say it won't be a problem for me.

I'm hooked on CourtTV. :)

[KT2000]

6. Good idea

I gave them up cold turkey!
Will not support propgandists.

[zbdent]

7. Actually, if you can't give them up, take note of the commercials

and point out to them exactly why you will no longer be buying their products or using their services ... since they choose to advertise with a network that put out a pure propaganda piece ...

[dback]

8. The problem is, they also do good stuff ("God's Army" expose)

ABC was also one of the best networks during the initial phase of the Iraq War to show what was really going on and ask hard questions--much better than those ratings whores at CNN, who were "made" by the first Iraq war and were thus whoopty-doo with excitement over the prospect of Part II.

They're also letting Rosie O'Donnell loose on "The View," and she and Joy Behar have been openly contemptuous of Bush this week in stinging rhetorical smackdowns.

TV is about money. If we're going to smack down someone, write the filmmakers.

[StClone]

9. Boston Legal

BL is the only reason to watch ABC.

[bobbolink]

12. Really good show, that Boston Legal!

Last season, every other episode had a deep dig at the misadministration.

That's my idea of good entertainment! :hi:

[kaygore]

17. I know. It is my favorite show after TDS, Colbert, and NOW

It is going to break my heart this fall not to watch it which is a clear sign of my addiction.

[never_get_over_it]

25. I really can't for one minute understand what you hope to

accomplish by not watching Boston Legal - you said in your OP something about talking up shows to your friends - making them part of the pop culture - why don't you watch Boston Legal - and when you talk it up to your friends tell them you love the show because they bash this administration - that way you have an opening to discuss what a bunch of criminals these freaks are...

I'm telling you I don't believe for one minute if we watch or we don't watch in anyway going to hurt ABC - if we stop actually spending money that would go to them - maybe then I can see it - but by not watching their stuff - I really really don't understand how this hurts them....

[HeeBGBz]

22. New Season starts tomorrow

I haven't watched ABC since the airing of the Path to Crapola. I do have a hard time with abandoning my Boston Legal who spoke out against the bullshit regime so wonderfully last year. And Michael J. Fox is on tomorrow.

Sigh.

[StClone]

29. I can say proudly

I have not watched ABC since the last BL episode last season except for a couple of sports events.

[EFerrari]

10. Just do it. I haven't watched ABC in years. n/t

[blue cat]

11. Also

don't record any abc shows on your dvr since they get some credit that way.

[Anakin Skywalker]

13. Dude, I Don't Even Have a TV!

[patrioticliberal]

14. Like I give afuck, I don't watch them anyway

TV sux

[iamahaingttta]

15. "House is a great subsititute"?!?!?!

What are you, fucking crazy?
House is on Fox!!
You WANT people to watch Fox? and their ADVERTISERS???

Nothing personal, but anyone who said Democrats aren't as stupid as Republicans simply did not know what they were talking about.

DON'T WATCH ANYTHING ON FOX!!! EVER!!!!

For that matter, why not just unplug your fucking television and don't give ANY of them your eyeballs!?!?!

Sheesh...

[americanstranger]

21. I watch 'House' on TNT, too.

There's a lot of this type of thing going on now with 'network' shows running on 'cable' outlets - ABC doesn't seem to do much of it, but TNT runs a lot of shows from other networks.

I haven't watched ABC since 'NYPD Blue' went off the air, so it doesn't matter much to me.

- as

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

32. Actually, Most Shows I Watch Are On Fox. And House Rocks.

[never_get_over_it]

16. Too Weak?

weakness has nothing to do with why I will continue to watch Dancing With the Stars and Boston Legal - practically the only TV I watch except for the Daily Show - Cobert and some home decorating shows.

It will not make one bit of difference to ABC if I watch or I don't - so I'm not going to miss out on Boston Legal making nasty remarks about this disgusting administration....

[AlwaysQuestion]

19. I'm solidly with you!

The power of consumers is incredibly great and yet so many of us overlook the most effective "quick-fix" available to us.

Although you will admit that similar suggestions have been put forward at various times, your challenging us to give up ABC (and other network and cable stations) is exceedingly timely.

I don't know about you, but if all the regular contributors and readers of DU don't sign on to boycott ABC (among others), then I would have to at minimum question the sincerity and political will of DUers for regime change.

There should be literally hundreds if not thousands of people on DU stepping up to the plate and saying, yes, I can do this. What would it cost to rise to the suggestion you have put forward? Not a damn penny. There's no risk. There's no confrontation. It doesn't call for giving up time. In fact, I can't think of a single reason for not "signing on" and honouring the pledge.

I think we have to determine just how cohesive a group we really have going here.

Anyway, for what it's worth, I'm on board.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[MoonRiver]

20. No problem. I never watched ABC anyway!

:D

[mwooldri]

23. Into the frying pan and out of the fire.

From ABC to Fox? I must admit House is a good show, but by these standards we should boycott everything Fox because of Faux News. Personally I'd prefer to engage my opponent than sit out the fight by a boycott.

Mark.

[pinkpops]

24. Go ahead and contact the show but write the sponsor and tell

them you will be buying their competitor's products. The show gets the ratings but the network gets hell.

[Deja Q]

26. Apart from Roseanne and The Critic, ABC never quite appealed to me

Unfortunately, Disney and its child companies (e.g. Buena Vista) transcend one network. They have quite a few entities on DVD, which ABC has nothing to do with.

The sharks set up the system to render boycotts useless. And while politicians wave banners saying they support the smaller fish, they happily help the big sharks the most. And sharks eat the smaller fish, bones and all.

[A Brand New World]

27. I don't watch ABC much anyways but I'm sorry, when the Ohio

State Buckeyes are playing on that network, I will be watching!

[BlueJazz]

28. Anybody who watches ABC is just simply Uncivilized.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

36. I Watch Supernanny And My Wife Watches Desperate Housewives.

I had watched American Inventor and rarely Americas Funniest Home Videos. Other than that though I can't think of anything we care about on ABC.

[BlueJazz]

56. I was just Kidding. Actually, I watch the Local News on ABC....

...because the Weather Man is the best in the State.

[dannofoot]

35. Oh Sweet Jebus....

...There is never a time when Du'ers sound the most like freepers than when they yell at us about watching television.

I'm gonna watch the "Desperate Housewives" season premier. I'm gonna watch other ABC shows as well.

NO advertisers are gonna heed your call....NONE. As far as ratings go, if none of us are "Nielson Families" it doesn't matter either.

But hey, if it soothes your conscience, by all means, don't tune in. Whether I watch or not doesn't mean squat to ABC; it's whether Ford and Proctor & Gamble choose to advertise that matters.

And frankly, those companies don't give a shit whether you're pissed or not either.

"The Path to 9/11" is OVER. Nothing has a shelf life of more than 10 days anymore. Look at next week for more effective battles.

[lies and propaganda]

37. i find this a little pompous.

I boycott everything under the damn sun, but to suggest that the 'weak willed' people dont love their country if they watch shows on a network who lied. Sounds very much like what the other side says, and by your logic we should just throw the whole tube out the window cause we cant watch anything but Link Tv and Cspan.

As if Fox isnt the biggest piece of shit but you advocate House :rofl:

[ComerPerro]

39. people are amazingly arrogant

"Don't watch ABC shows. If you do, you're a moron. Its all drivel anyway. But I love the show House"

like its any different

[SeattleGirl]

41. I find it a bit pompous too. If I choose to watch ABC, I am not

weak-willed, I'm a grown up making a choice. Besides, I wrote emails, I signed the petitions, etc., before they put that crap-u-mentary on the air.

As someone else said, things anymore have a short shelf life. I'm not going to completely stop watching an entire network because of PT9/11. There are continuing and new battles I'd rather spend time and energy on.

Having said that, if people choose to boycott ABC, I have no problem with that at all. They are ALSO grownups, and have made their choices. Guess I'm not very good at walking in lockstep......

[Wally101]

48. I'm with you.....

If you're not a nielson family, boycotting them won't make a difference. I have also signed the petitions, sent the emails to ABC and a few of the sponsors, but that's enough for me. I really can't believe the nerve of some of the folks on this board. You sound like the damned Bush administration! If you criticize the president, you don't care about America. If you watch ABC, you don't care about America!

Bullshit to both.


Mark

[lies and propaganda]

49. how the hell do people even get those boxes?

Ive never met a person in my life that was a Nielson rater.

and hey! Welcome to DU!

[SeattleGirl]

51. I was a Nielson rater a couple of years ago.

Only I had no box (whatever that is). They called me and asked if I would be willing to participate, so I said yes. They sent me a "diary" where I wrote down what I watched and when. At the end of the week, I had to send the diary back to them.

[ceile]

52. I agree.

I watch all channels because I choose to. I watch Fox for Prison Break, Family Guy and House. I watch ABC for Lost and soaps when I'm home sick. I watch what I want, when I want.

[minnesota_liberal]

38. You couldn't pay me enough to watch ABC

I guess it helps that I only turn the boob tube on about twice a week.

[Raine]

40. Unless you're a Neilson Family

they don't know whether you watch or not. The important thing is not to buy any of the products that are advertised during their programming and let those sponsers know what your doing and why.

[prolesunited]

54. Agreed

My protest of one in my own living room has zero impact (except to myself and perhaps other lockstep liberals) because they have no way of knowing whether I'm watching or not.

What you are suggesting is *much* more meaningful and actually stands a chance of having an impact.

I don't shop at WalMart, but boycotting a store is actually felt in the bottom line.

[Initech]

42. Easy - watch the shows on DVD!

It's better because they have no commercials, the network gets less advertising money!

[Dem2theMax]

43. AB who?

Let's see.

I have a choice.

1. Watch ABC and a few of my favorite shows (LOST being one)

or

2. Care more about my country and the truth than a stupid TV show.


Uhhhhh, #2.


That wasn't hard at all. :) :) :)

[fishnfla]

44. I've never seen any of those shows. What am I missing?

But then again I haven't watched TV for over 3 years. I think I am gonna answer my own question: not missing a thing.

But we are not allowed to talk like that on DU for fear of being arrogant.

Pass the remote!

[judaspriestess]

45. what shows are on ABC?

I can't recall the last time I actually watched ABC

[derby378]

46. GREY'S ANATOMY? Ewwww.

Now, I happen to think Sandra Oh is pretty cool, but this turkey of a series seems damn nigh unwatchable. Think Nightingales combined with St. Elsewhere. Oy.

But I just had to watch Wife Swap tonight - we saw a pirate family! From Oregon! Ahrrrr!!

[Viva_La_Revolution]

47. sorry, must watch Extreme Makeover, Home edition

it's a fricking hour long commercial for Sears, etc. but it makes me cry, every time.

Next week is the Season premire, deep in Alaska. Family of 12 living in a 900sq ft cabin.

[theHandpuppet]

50. Not into junk food TV, anyway

"Grey's Anatomy," "Boston Legal," "Lost," "Desperate Housewives"... do folks actually watch this junk?

No problem for me, since I'm not watching anything on abc. ESPN is another matter. Do I really have to give up my favorite TV couple, Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon?

[dkofos]

53. You could always download them from the internets

If you don't mind running a bittorrent program

[knitter4democracy]

55. Give me a break.

I'm so tired of this kind of rant. We're all to one hundred percent agree and get all hot and bothered about something, boycott it until doomsday, and that somehow makes us better Dems and patriots? That's messed up thinking.

I will choose my boycotts carefully, as they affect my children and my husband, who should be free to make their own choices (for my kids, not as much, since they're young minors). If I all of a sudden boycotted everything ever mentioned on DU, all of which seem to have good reasons, it would seriously affect my family.

The reality is, Disney isn't going to care if we watch or not. What they care is if they get heat from the advertisers or see a drop in sales for their own products. It's all about sales and money, and watching a show or not won't affect that.

We were told to boycott Scholastic, and then I realized that my boycott (I tend to buy a lot of books) would negatively affect my daughter's teacher and the books she'd have available in her classroom as well as my daughter's library. Is that the way to go? Yes, I buy books for my daughter's school as well, but I won't take my money elsewhere and take books away from people who need and deserve them.

We're told to boycott Coke, even though it's bottled here in the States and provides good jobs in our area. So, if sales dip and people are laid off, we've won?

Life is complicated, and we're all mature enough to make our own decisions and still be good patriots. I love my country, and no one should put me on some red list just because I won't boycott ABC's shows that I like.