My only regret was not asking for a mirror so that I could watch.
Many years ago TLC (before it degraded into trash) had an excellent show called "The Operation" where it would show EVERYTHING that happened during a medical procedure. (From a teaching hospital) It was incredible to watch and very educational.
That's an understatement. In fact, the comparison is actually unfair to trash.
>... an excellent show called "The Operation" where it would show EVERYTHING that happened during a medical procedure ...
I don't see why TLC couldn't air a similar show today. They could just focus on the human element, which is to say drama that's either completely scripted and/or manufactured via editing in post.
Gore would be completely off the table though. The average viewer just wouldn't be able to enjoy their super-sized soft drink watching that.
>It was incredible to watch and very educational.
Network executives at Discovery have most likely since instituted an organization-wide ban of the word "educational" on general principle.
I find podcasts today to be way better today than any "educational" tv shows ever were.
It's worth noting however that reality television predates YouTube. That's not to say there weren't still alternatives back then, but when comparing the two mediums I think it at least constitutes a small dark age of sorts.
Granted, I loathe executives that peddle the trash far more. There's something morally bankrupt about it, especially considering viewership can be in the millions. It's analogous to a software company with zero regard for craftsmanship; kicking garbage out the door because they know it'll sell.