I know this is what old people do, but here's the message I just sent to the Animal Planet Channel, regarding something I just saw on their 100 percent not funny "World's Funniest Animals" show while channel surfing:
I was just watching your "Funniest Animals" program, and the show was having a great big laugh at video of a little white dwarf hamster doing repeated flips. Ha! Hilarious!
Except of course that some dwarf hamsters do this not for fun or amusement, but because they suffer from a genetic disorder. Most of them don't live long, as they become exhausted by their involuntary flipping and eventually die from compromised immune systems.
I wouldn't expect more sensitivity from a generic network program, but you are Animal Planet. You might be the one channel where one might expect a little sympathy towards animals.
I'm disgusted and saddened.
Poor little guy. He was just flipping, about every three seconds. Imagine trying to walk around or eat or lick your little hamster balls or whatever. How can you live your life when every few seconds, you do a backflip?
Fucking Animal Planet.
I never knew that about hamsters (how horrible!) but Planet's Funniest Animals is not funny on any level, anyway. Maybe if they canned the host, for a start.
ReplyDeleteI love Emergency Vet and Animal Precinct, even when they make me cry, but I can't watch PFA.
How does a genetic anomaly like that one get passed on, though? It must be recessive, right? Because the constant flipping seems like it would interfere rather a lot with the mating process. Poor things.
Thank you for doing that, Rob. It's just a trickle in the Mississippi, but at least the person who reads it will be informed. And may inform others. That sort of stuff is another reason we don't have cable. What folks sell as "funny" is often just sick.
ReplyDeleteI'm getting old too, though. I wrote a nasty letter to the editor the other day because the stupid reporter consistently screwed up the references to the preacher who was shot by his wife. (He kept calling him "pastor" and "reverend.") Yes, I am old, but when it's in the AP stylebook that Church of Christ preachers don't use those titles, the stupid thing shouldn't get past three editors like it did.
Repeatedly.
And of course the follow-up story did the same thing again this morning. Gah.
Kisses from Tennessee while I roll my trousers.
I think the entire Animal Planet channel sucks. They spend entirely too much time showing hurt, humiliated, and bloody animals.
ReplyDeleteWhat's worse - I think they called the hamster "drunk."
ReplyDeleteI know I can't do that when I'm loopy - how could a little wee hamster?
"They spend entirely too much time showing hurt, humiliated, and bloody animals."
ReplyDeleteI can totally see that point of view. But on the shows I watch, I feel like it's for a good educational message, either "these are the things that can happen to your pet, and how to prevent it or make it better" or "there are some really sick people hurting animals out there, but here are some people/organizations that are trying to help." I don't feel like those shows are exploitative, but it's certainly not for everyone. I can't leave the TV on animal planet when I turn it off; my husband is afraid of what he might see when he turns it on.
I'd be interested to know if they ever follow up with you about that.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you wrote them. That's irresponsible programming.
ReplyDeleteI actually wrote to NBC yesterday because by default I ended up watching a "wacky videos" show they had on the other night and every single one had plugged-in sound effects and dialoge that were so bad and painfully obvious they may as well have put a banner up saying "hey dumbass viewers - we know you're not smart enough to realize we've amped up these videos, so enjoy!"
Oh, I got a form letter response, like I figured I would.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I believe it's caused by a recessive gene. A litter might have half a dozen babies, and only one of them will actually do the flipping, but none of the rest should be allowed to breed. As for the little flipping dudes, no, I don't believe they can breed.
Senior Citizen? That scares me. I think your profile said you are only a couple years older than me! Oh my, I'm not ready for that yet.
ReplyDeleteHey, maybe that means I should've started menopause. I will have to visit my Dr. I have been looking forward to that.
That was really shitty of animal planet.
In an interesting way that little hamster describes our little girls, don't you think? If my Emily does something (she's 6 yrs but is cognitively 18 mos, or so they say) "odd", most people either laugh nervously or get weirded out. Does anyone bother thinking that something might be wrong genetically or neurologically?
ReplyDeleteNope, didn't think so.
I think it's great that you wrote in about that little hamster. It doesn't surprise me though, because that's exactly what you do for Schuyler every day. Cool.
Interesting...I saw a squirrel doing the flipping thing once - I assumed it was some kind of seizure disorder.
ReplyDeleteWordnerd - welcome to the fan club! I've been reading Rob for a while, and am so glad you're here too. His e-life (ie - versions of journals and blogs) are certainly good fodder for ways to live vicariously.
ReplyDeleteThe hammie picture is very sweet, and good for you for taking action. Then again, on the "When Animals Attack" type show, you'll find me rooting for the animals.
ReplyDeletePS I have a syrian named Ruby. No piccies of her to share, but she is high on the so-cute-o-meter as well.