G4 Gets an F

Back in the day (1998-2004) there was a fine little cable channel called TECH TV.

It was a brilliant bit of narrowcasting, aimed at every level of computer users, novice to hacker. I didn't watch every day, but every time I checked in to see what Leo Laporte was up to on THE SCREEN SAVERS, I learned something.

It was basic cable at its most basic, and at its best.

Sometime in early 2004, G4 bought Tech TV, fired everybody and forced a merger of the two channels. Now G4 is all that remains of the little channel that could.

Tonight, while surfing, I bumped into G4's coverage of the Adult Entertainment Expo from Las Vegas. In the same week that Steve Jobs announced the launch the iPhone (trademark infringement lawsuit pending) at a much more important expo across town, G4 went booth to booth at AEE. The very same channel I used to watch Leo tell the world about cutting edge technology was covering porn.

Isn't ANYONE in charge THINKING? The suits at this channel actually thought this was PALATABLE? They felt THIS would serve their shareholders' best interests? I can't explain to you how uncomfortable it was to see the guy and gal hosts of the 'program' chatting about the 'coolness' of micro vibrators as if they were discussing the merits of the latest Playstation release.

Coverage included 'comedy' pieces about a school for adult actors and the history of porn - along with a count down of the top 10 adult DVDs of the year (including plentiful blurry clips).

Mind you, this wasn't on a premium cable channel. This wasn't REAL SEX on HBO. This was basic cable, covering a porn expo like they were covering a video game convention.

I understand that the young male audience G4 is targeting likes and consumes porn. But they also probably smoke their share of pot, too. Should the channel review the various paraphernalia used to smoke weed?

It's just bad form. Leo would be ashamed.

What's next, a lingerie fashion show on CBS?

Oh. Never mind.