March 31, 2014

Daytime television  a whole other story.

Recently I had occasion to spend a good deal of quality time taking in some daytime television.  I must say that in being estranged from the endless game, talk, cooking and news shows for a long time, I now know that I haven't missed much after all. 

I did however learn a few things from the seemingly inane entertainment.  For instance, can you believe that the age-old "Let's Make a Deal" show is still airing?  It is, sadly, sans the jolly host, Monte Hall, whose banter with the rambunctious guests was always fresh and often hilarious.  

What most surprised me was the fact that many of the contestants showed a marked sense of decorum and lack of greed as they pondered whether to take the offered cold, hard cash or to gamble for a much larger "prize" hidden behind curtain #3.  That was refreshing indeed.

The cooking shows, on the other hand, inspired a certain decadence in me. While watching the celebrity chefs whip up any manner of delectable, delicious dishes, I found myself secretly planning a menu of delightful comfort foods, and throwing calories and fat content to the wind.

And talk shows.  They're just another way to showcase big name stars with agendas even larger.  Not for me.

But perhaps most disappointing of all was watching the network news.  It was there that we were told all of the day's biggest highlights.  Again, and again, and again.  The local "news" comes on well before 6:00 a.m.....and again at 8:00 a.m. and then again at noon, back again at 5:00 & 6:00 p.m. and yet again at 10:00 p.m.  

 

What's worse is that the newscasters dutifully read the same headlines over and over and over, all day long. And then they speculate on things.  And then experts are brought in to lend their opinions on issues. I guess there's no excuse for personal misinformation if you are a true television news junky, because if you don't get it the first time you can just wait awhile and you'll hear it again.  All day long.

Yes, television has changed quite a bit through the years.  Once live productions provided the occasionally unintended blooper or gaff.  You never knew quite what to expect.  But now it's merely scripted entertainment.  

Oh for the good old days, eh?