Researchers Exploring Why We Can't Hear Actors on TV
Television shows often employ pounding bass lines and hip synthesizer beats to set the mood of a scene or to engross viewers. Sometimes, though, that "ambient noise" can detract from the action, or it can even drown out character dialogue completely. In the U.K., distracting and obtrusive sounds have created such a backlash among some viewers that the BBC is backing a study to determine if background music and noises are too overpowering. Garnering specific mention for their overbearing music and sound effects are the hit shows 'Mad Men,' 'The Wire,' and 'Waking the Dead.' Jay Hunt, the controller of BBC1, told the Daily Mail, "There are particular issues with background music that makes certain programmes difficult for older viewers." (The report doesn't mention which shows draw stateside criticism, but we're guessing that, in addition to the previous three, 'Matlock' reruns and anything on The History Channel catch a fair bit of flak.)
No solutions are given for the noise problem, but, after studying the effects of background music on the abilities of young and old people to aurally comprehend TV shows, the researchers will propose new guidelines for ambient noise. We're not sure when this issue became such a problem, but we're blaming MTV (dang, we're getting old), 'The Real World,' and the proliferation of reality television. Who needs dialogue when people are eating live insects and raw animal organs and fighting in their underwear? [From: The Daily Mail]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Wish Belkin said 2:23PM on 6-06-2009
Some stations, A&E and AMC come to mind, blare their commercials so loud that it's impossible to watch any shows or movies on either. Which is a shame, but it isn't worth the bullshit of turning the sound up and down every few minutes.
It makes you wonder how they sell any commercial time.
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Stuff said 5:25PM on 6-06-2009
I have been complaining for a few years now about overly loud rock music on my favorite shows. I watch all CSI shows and so many more. To many to list. Now I don't bother to watch them any more and I'm not old. I just worry about my hearing and I'm sick of playing with the volume. Now I only watch Cable channels., which I didn't do before. When they start playing loud rock I'll tune them out to. The people who do the music plannng on these shows for background purposes should wise up or the ratings are going to suffer.
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sglenn46 said 7:10PM on 6-06-2009
I agree with both you guys.Its really gotten bad...
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gsun said 2:14AM on 6-07-2009
this also happens on CNN, which blasts commercials for some insane reason. Either turn up your broadcast, or turn down the commercials, to we can get an even sound level.
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ronald.irvine said 6:19PM on 8-07-2009
the reason is from the early seventies television has been making there kids programes very loud and the kids hear this then they in turn shout and dont talk so it is televisions fault there actors cant be heard as they cant shout up any louder
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ronald.irvine said 6:23PM on 8-07-2009
the programes shown on television from the 70s have become louder the actors even presenters have to shout there is no such thing as talking nowdays everyone wants to go faster on tv but to the disadvantage of the public not being able to hear properly and befare very long we will all be needing hearing aids all due to modern television.
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