Tonight’s epsiode is all about free speech. If you missed the 10 PM showing tonight, they’re rerunning it at various times the next few days.
Enjoy.
Tonight’s epsiode is all about free speech. If you missed the 10 PM showing tonight, they’re rerunning it at various times the next few days.
Enjoy.
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Since I don’t have reliable Showtime on my cable box (though ironically, I have Showtime2–anyone know if and when it’s going to be on there?), I’ve resigned to buying it on DVD. I purchased and viewed Season 1 on DVD, one of the few DVD’s I’ve bought (I’m more of a tape or rent kinda guy myself), and I LOVED it. As an ardent agnsotic and skeptic, it’s a breath of fresh air. I can’t wait for Season 2 to come out on DVD.
But given that the show is usually about exposing little-known truths that may exist in opposition to prevailing “wisdom,” how does this topic fit into the format, Peter? Did they dispense with the usual set of parameters for topics because of their passion for this particular subject, or did they find “little known truths” for this area as well?
Either way, I’m a near-absolutist when it comes to the First Ammedment (anything should be legal except that which presents a clear threat of harm to someone, or is otherwise already illegal because it subverts the legal or constitutional process), so I can’t wait to see it.
Rather ironic considering half and Penn Teller doesn’t practice any speech…
Or has Teller started speaking finally? (we have HBO rahter than Showtime…)
Heh, I guess information on a show about free speech is only for Americans.
If you’re outside of the U.S. (I’m in Canada), Sho.com won’t let you see any of their pages. You simply get a “these pages are intended for access only from within the United States” message.
I suppose it kind of makes sense. It’s possible we can’t get showtime in Canada, so we strictly wouldn’t need to see their website..
But still, it’s galling for some reason.
Whoops. I thought it was Peter who posted that blog entry. I see now it was Glenn.
Luigi: It’ll be on Showtime Too on 8/15, 11 PM EST.
Thanks, Glenn.
Ironically, the first link takes you to a page which has THIS to say:
SORRY! We at Showtime Online express our apologies; however, these pages are intended for access only from within the United States.
Easily one of my favorite shows. I have Showtime primarily for this one.
Admittedly, it helps that I’m an atheist libertarian skeptic…which is pretty much the precise audience the show is aimed at.
I love going to the official boards for the show. On nearly every show there’s one (or more) messages that starts “Your show is absolutely brilliant. Except for that show on ***** where I think you were completely wrong. ***** is real!”
D. Eric C.
D. Eric Carpenter: Admittedly, it helps that I’m an atheist libertarian skeptic…which is pretty much the precise audience the show is aimed at.
Luigi Novi: I’m not sure about that. Atheists only account for about 4-6% of the U.S. population, which I doubt would be a large-enough demographic to make the show successful. I think it’s meant to have broad appeal, and out of all the episodes, only two–the one on creationism from Season 1, and the one on the Bible in Season 2, might be hard sells to non-atheists. There’s nothing about the episodes on Feng Shui or Second-Hand Smoke that would not necessarily go over well with theists, and I think the whole point of the show is to get those messages across to all people in a way that they would find accessible.
Could someone in the USA maybe summarize the issue we’re debating? Or is the fact that this Free Speech is for US citizens only the point of itself?
Could someone in the USA maybe summarize the issue we’re debating? Or is the fact that this Free Speech is for US citizens only the point of itself?
In the USA, the government is constitutionally forbidden to interfere with an individual’s right to speak freely with out fear of government retribution.
There are exceptions, of course. Such as inciting a riot, telling state secrets, saying something sexually suggestive to a woman and apparently calling people names is considered a big no – no.
As far as libel and slander are concerned, you can say anything against anybody as long as they are a politician or unable to prove you are wrong in a court of law.
Thanks EClark1849, that’s probably a fair answer to my question, but what I was meaning, and others were alluding to, is that because Showtime have some pesky geographic screening we can’t read the page PAD has linked to. There is probably something about free speech on there – from what you’ve said someone getting canned because they were rude to a heckler? – but what?
I wasn’t suggesting that it was ONLY for libertarian atheists…just sort of a tongue-in-cheek reference that I probably enjoy the show since my political and philosophical beliefs mirror the hosts.
Atheism isn’t that important in the show, but it is an extremely libertarian show…
D. Eric C.