ALL SPEAK
Years ago we sang a popular song which had the lyrics: "T'ain't What You Do; It's the Way That You Do It!." The lyrics to that song were written by versetile James Young ; music by Sy Oliver and I remember Louis Armstrong singing them for us.
A recording of that old tune should be required listening for all those indivudals and groups presently pontificating on the pitable place of programming for television.
They are words basic to much commo-sense qualites.
I cannot abide the type of TV program in which there are three or more individuals who are supposed to give their opinions on a subject when all three are allowed, and even encouraged to talk at the same time. This format, if it can be called one when it goes beserk, is a valid means of passing information along. If the speakers observe common rules of politeness one to the other, everything goes well. Such “shows”get out of hand far too often and you wonder if the networks have called in Jerry Springere to producer their news shows.
It is witnessed on TV often and seems to stem from a urban mindset concerning common politiness. That may be unfair on my part, but the majority of this discussion-type shows originate in metro areas. I have seen it on ABC's "Night Line" and it drove me away from a favorite person in Ted Koppel. An otherwise enjoyable and profitable show is sacrificed. One revent afternoon FOX network providediced such an "arena" which kept going on -and-on. The plan calls simply for lining up three talking heads and make sure that they all three talk at the same time eagerly tryingto out shout the other. This can go on for five minutes or more at a clip in many cases and after a moment's respite during which we hear a commercial insert it can , and usually goes back for more of the same argumentative muddle! For long stretches the viewer gains nothing from the mass harrange. Emcees seem to be not only powerless to curb it, once it starts, and some even join in on it in an attempt to outshout others. Panel members, as they berate each other, or go right on lecturing steadily with no indication the others might be talking.
Certainly we deserve better treatment than this from guests invited into our home. It seems to be becoming more common, too, so I leave at the first indication of any such impolite exhibition. Certainly the network executives must realize this is talking place. I often wonder if TV people every watch TV at all. So called "new programs" are echos of others far too often and panel shows are, I suppose, low-budget time fillers as are so many of the magazine-type shows. Small wonder the major networks are steadily losing out to cable, individual superstations and to Internet and the computer world.
Comedy scripts – many of them of worthy material - are mis-handled in like manner. A display of cleavage is not cleverness, nor is cussing commendasble for comedy offered as family fare.
A.L.M September 2, 2003 [c523wds]
