Interviewees discuss the critique of television as "Trash TV."

“For those who decry the deterioration of talk shows on television, we have to be reminded once again that our culture is in decay, that the local news isn't really the local news. It's a sinful decaying structure. We've got two million people in jail and we're bantering with the weatherman. So don't lay it all on the talk show folks. You're seeing what the producers of these programs know you will watch.” - Phil Donahue, Talk Show Host 

Thumbnail of Phil Donahue

Phil Donahue on the deterioration of daytime television

03:19
Thumbnail of Jeff Zucker

Jeff Zucker on the impact on the network of putting reality programming on NBC

02:01
Thumbnail of Steve Allen

Steve Allen on how television has changed over the years and appealing to the public good

01:56
Thumbnail of Newton N. Minow

Former FCC Chairman Newton Minow on what he was trying to convey in his 1961 "Vast Wasteland" speech

02:21

Steve Allen

Steve Allen on how television has changed over the years and appealing to the public good

01:56

Phil Donahue

Phil Donahue on the deterioration of daytime television

03:19

Jeff Zucker

Jeff Zucker on the impact on the network of putting reality programming on NBC

02:01

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