Manufacturing Consent

ITV4’s a strange beast. I really like it. Lots of old ITC shows in the early evening – Strange Report, The Persuaders etc. Then it moves into some more recent stuff cult stuff like Dark Skies or First Wave. Then, in the post 9pm slot, there might be football, a film or a recentish lower-tier import. Late nights are full of David Letterman and Larry Sanders. And just occassionally, it throws a real curveball by putting out something that has More 4 or BBC 4 written all over it – Outfoxed was a recent case in point.
And then last night, I did a complete double take when I saw what was on. I had been planning to record Stephen Poliakoff’s Shooting the Past on BBC 4 (well, you can buy it on DVD). But that plan went out the window when I realised that Noam Chomsky’s Manufacturing Consent was on.
I haven’t seen this since I taped it late one night when it was on Channel 4 many years ago (it’s pretty safe to conclude that C4 wouldn’t show it now – I’m biding my time until they simulcast Quiz TV overnights).
At first I was pissed off that it was knocking Homicide: Life on the Streets off the schedule, but that’s back next week.
I can’t wait to sit down and watch this now.
“If ITV4 wants to prove its credentials as a digital channel committed to serious documentaries, you can only admire its decision to reach for the top by shining a light on one of the world’s cleverest men.”
Patricia Wynn Davies, The Daily Telegraph


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