The Alter of Television

I love this book! It speaks so much to how much of my life experience has been related to others. (Sad and unoriginal, but true). “TV the great reference.” Recently my father (who never had an issue with expressing himself to say the least) made reference to Howie Mandel. While the name sounded familiar, I couldn’t put a face or context to him at all. His response was, “Where the hell have you been? You are so frign’ out of touch.” Granted he had knocked a few whiskey down, which always seems to make for a livelier conversation, but his comment is representative of what I have experienced much of my life.

Not identifying with television, either through popular phrases like Bart Simpson’s “Don’t have a cow man!” or as McKibben talk about wit the Brady Bunch theme song is a huge offence to people. Not sharing in these experiences can lead youth to be ostracized, and adults left out around the water cooler. A television saaviness is akin to a Christian or Muslims ability to pick-up on parables from the bible or Koran.

I learned to look convincingly disappointed and inquire with sincerity "Who did get voted off the island, I go to yoga on Thursday nights." (really I don't but whatever. This ability has protected my social capital in most instances. Especially in new workplaces. Thankfully I now know how to pull off a don't give a damn attitude by spicing it up with some self deprecating humour. I don't have cable, and now feel disturbed watching most of what is on. Though I do appreciate South Park, American Dad, Futorama, and The Simpsons (But as a good friend says, "Simpson's should bow out gracefully and let the offspring take over.")

Why do we like these animations? I always thought it interesting to witness how these shows who so obviously, (and to some degree less obviously), point fun at our cultural nuances are so mainstream, accepted, and continue to evolve. We like that satire I suppose, because of the truth associated with much of the commentary. Honesty is just so refreshing! After bombardments by Adds claiming we are not good enough unless our hair nestles like silk on our peaches and cream body, the raw humour these satirical animations provides allows us to catch our breath and think, "Everyone is F@#$C*d, it is not just me." Now please excuse me, I have to catch the Daily show with John Stewart to bone up on my American politics.