A not-so-rosy review of Planet Green

Critic bashes new eco-tainment network 5

I imagine some folks over at Planet Green are seeing red right about now. You would be too if someone suggested your new eco-cable network "embarrasses the Earth." It's the first really negative review of Planet Green I've seen, and it was penned by Slate television critic Troy Patterson.

The entire review can pretty much be summed up with this: "Planet Green turns the entire Earth into a lifestyle accessory, often to uniquely awful effect."

Patterson goes on to mention a couple of the shows in more depth, calling Alter Eco with Adrien Grenier the "most inane" and suggesting it "feels designed to provide you with lines to pick up chicks at the farmers market." He even goes as far as to say that after watching it, he "want[ed] to go out and kill a dolphin."

Living with Ed, the Ed Begley Jr. show that first aired on HGTV last year, also got some harsh words. But having spoken with Ed myself, I have to disagree with Patterson's assessment of Begley, and the show, as "phony" -- the man is as real as they come.

Patterson ends his review with a concession that some of the home-improvement-type shows are engaging and "Planet Green isn't always this stupid." Still, it's not quite a rousing endorsement when it's followed by, "until Planet Green quits its annoying mix of condescension and pandering, watching it will be an unforgivable waste of energy."

I'd love to be able to rebut Patterson's unfortunate review, but the truth is that I haven't actually seen any of the shows myself -- mostly because I don't have cable. One staffer who does have basic cable and made plans to watch the premieres found that "available in 50 million homes" means "if you ask your cable provider to get it for you and cough up the extra dough."

So I guess that means there are probably significantly fewer than 50 million people watching the first-ever 24-hour green network. Which may, according to this review, be a good thing.

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  1. randino Posted 10:19 am
    13 Jun 2008

    I watch Planet Greenand I think it has way too much life style programming, but on the other hand that is what most cable programming is and they have to swim in the sea like all the other fish.
    The most annoying thing about the life style and home improvement style programming it has, is that it makes me want to be a writer for a program called "Environmental Living for Ordinary People." My wife and I are lower to middle, middle class. There is no way we could environmentally retrofit our house like the people they feature on Planet Green. I think most grass roots environmentalists are like us, and instead of hollywood stars. Until they start aiming their marketing at people of our income bracket, environmental living will be a pass time of the rich.
    Finally, I like the Wasted program on Planet Green.  Imagine a Green Nanny, hectoring environmental sinners on how to Come to Jesus. Very funny.
    Planet Green is a mainstream program. It isn't an Earth First! reunion. Warts, distortions and all, I think we are better off having it available than not. Judge it accordingly.
    Randy Cunningham

    Cleveland, Ohio

    Randy Cunningham

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  2. KateNonymous Posted 12:39 pm
    13 Jun 2008

    Living with EdMr. Nonymous and I watched Living with Ed when it first aired on HGTV and came away with an impression that is the exact opposite of Patterson's. We found Ed to be interesting--and aware that not everyone is going to become as green as he is right away. Also, he makes a great spot cleaner.

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  3. Biodiversivist's avatar

    Biodiversivist Posted 11:32 pm
    13 Jun 2008

    Watched MTV making fun of the showHad a clip of some wealthy celeb remodeling a gargantuan house. He says "It feels so opulent." The Green channel host says "You shouldn't have to live in a cardboard box to be green."
    The channel may give green a black eye.

    In the end, it all comes down to biodiversity. Poison Darts--Protecting the biodiversity of our world

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  4. Killa4luv Posted 2:14 am
    14 Jun 2008

    Mixed experienceFirst there are only like 5 shows whic repeat over and over. Yes there is clearly an exaggerated focus on lifestyle, and those lifestyles tend to be way out of reach for most people. However, the information, and homes and architecture they show are inspiring to me. I can't do any of the stuff they do, and I write this in a room that would be virtually unliviable without AC, but I like to imagine. Watching that show, lead me to search on the internets for more info on things, and I found this site asa result.
    In this regard, planet green is better than nothing, but they do need to expand their scope, the science channel does some interesting things about fuel and alternative energy which would seem wholly appropriate on a channel entitled planet green.

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  5. amazingdrx Posted 3:08 am
    14 Jun 2008

    No needNo need to rely on cable to get the green message around when internet video is available.  It's finally starting to happen, but once again, as at the start of the internet age, the revenue stream is problematic.
    The old model of media and money is still the norm.  
    When will the idealistic pragmatism of free global media over the net be realized?  Orgs like Grist are doing it already.
    But the scale still does not approach that of mass delusional media.  What is really interesting is that new internet media people generally boycott cable, where some very progressive things are happening.
    They often watch net clips of Colbert and the other media revolutionaries though.

    http://amazngdrx.blogharbor.com/blog

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