TV OR NOT TV We are hearing a great deal of harsh criticism of television as we know it today, and is some cases,it seems, with good reason, or with more of legal-sounding severity -"with just cause."
That which has brought about changes in the way we live just about every aspect of our lives applies,just as aptly, to the entertainments we choose and the degree to which we seek to participate in them.
Television watching demands some personal discipline, just as other worthy interests do. It must be seen as a shower of special blessings we step into on purpose rather than a vagrant flow of tailings from nowhere in clarities which we allow to flow over us. In doing so, disillusionment and disappointment are being invited to take over our lives.
I agree that much of today's accepted television production output is than satisfactory for today somewhat edgy markets. There are needs for reform at all levels.
That, of course, includes us, since we are the intended recipients of the products being made; we are the ultimate users, we are the segment intended to benefit from the whole process of doing. If, then, we prove to be unaffected, wrong so or disappointed in any way, the project can only judged to have been a failure.
One way to measure what change are to be made in present-day TV production is to get what you feel confident is a cosmopolitan, across-the-grain "sample" group of people to list the names of show they "like" and those they "do not like". The reason why they do or do like a show will, at times, almost parrot each other finding opposite opinions. om time-to-time some average TV viewers do not really know what they want or expect but only that which they but only that which they might like at any given moment.
Over the years I have found it to to be an accurate judgment are, more often than not,in stark reality, often leaning toward being the exact opposite of that which claimed to being surveys and questionnaires. Those who said they wanted more classical music on radio did far better in quizzes centered on identifying hillbilly record stars than on leading singers of more sedate forms of music. The person who claims "violence is horrible" could tell me more about who was shot on what show ...when?...from what angle?...and why!
Before you get too detailed about which shows you like or dislike check over an "honest-injun" tally before you display your opinions in public. We have to make up our own minds concerning exactly what we mean by "too much sex stuff!"..." too much violence - guts!"..."too much profanity, cussing, ..", "too much profanity,searing,cussing,sacrilege ,obscenity!"
Watching TV over our own shoulders is one way of eliminating some of the faults we think we find with it. TV is young. We, as watchers are also young. We are growing up together. It may be difficult,for a time, to decide which side is maturing the fastest.
Andrew McCaskey amccsr@adelphia.net 6-9-06 [c532wds]
