Just an observation...
 
As a TV junkie who usually watches anything about ancient history,
archaeology, etc., no matter how bad, I do think there has been gradual shift
in the content of these shows over the last 20 years.  Particularly in the
last few years.
 
One only has to watch the old Leonard Nimoy voice-overs to obtain a drivel
base-line, and compare them to the very recent shows prepared for A&E,
Discovery, etc.  A good example was a recent Atlantis expose ...  Although it
included all the usual crap ala Caribean stone causeway, Edgar Cayce, etc.,
it should be noted that the episode closed with fairly mainstream
archaeological interpretations ala the island caldera south of Greece
(whatever its name is).
 
I think its particularly important to note that the various cable channels
are going more in the direction of PBS rationalist presentations, rather than
the recent route chosen by one network station, e.g., the recent abysmal
series of shows narrated by Charlton Heston.  Maybe the
archaeological/historical community should be more vocal in supporting the
good, as well as chastising the garbage...  A few letters to the various
sponsoring agencies might do a world of good.
 
Mark C. Branstner