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Questions for TV Writers
Maybe I'm just getting older and pessimistic, or maybe it's just because TV has lost its luster. But, I can't get through too many programs these days without being dumbfounded by certain questions I have. As an example, I'll start with a cartoon. (Since I am privy to them on a daily basis with my four year old.) Handy Manny - The show about a handy man who does various tasks around town with his tools that can talk. And talk bilingually, I might add. I actually don't have a problem with the bilingual speaking tools. What, a hammer can't talk? My problem lays in the fact that we watch Manny repair a great many things, but we never see him getting paid for his hard work. Thus, I'm still waiting for the episode, "Handy Manny and the Mechanics Lien." This would be both educational for the kids as an introduction to contract remedies law, and let's face it, Manny needs to pay the mortgage. For another example, I'll use a grown-up show. How about CSI? Where six or seven good looking people pose as the geek squad behind a police force's forensics science team. But, they also solve the crime. The entire crime, mind you. The cops only show up to slap the cuffs on while the forensics team is conducting interrogations, interviewing witnesses, and kicking down doors with guns drawn. Where is the entire homicide department of the force here? To believe this scenario would be like telling me that my chemistry teacher in high school was the football coach and a Chippendale's dancer all at the same time. And if a forensics team on any city police department ever looked as ripped as the scientists on CSI, then the actual foot soldiers of the force must be part-time American Gladiators. ***** For the record...just trying to be humorous. I'm not actually demanding that my TV be more real. I question to entertain myself because the shows are obviously not doing their fair share of entertaining me.
6 comments from 6 users
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posted by
nikki
on Apr 29, 2008 at 01:07 PM
This sounds like something my husband would write about. He seemed to be the only one that questioned things like that on shows. It's nice to know he's not alone :) posted by
kevinmorrison
on Apr 29, 2008 at 01:53 PM
I think TV writers know we're not turning to them for education (at least we shouldn't be), so entertainment value trumps everything else, especially in prime time slots like CSI. Cartoons, should however, have at least a hint of educational value. I agree that Handy Manny needs to pay the bills, but I could also go the other way and say that I LIKE the fact that we don't see him getting paid. I kinda like that the show is not telling my kids to only help people if they are going to pay you for it. Plus, with talking tools, there are other ways he can make his money, I'm sure. posted by
Christina
on Apr 29, 2008 at 02:46 PM
Ever seen Spongebob? lol A sponge that lives in the ocean, but can still go to the beach. On a recent episode, Spongebob and Patrick started drowning because they couldn't swim in the ocean that's inside the ocean. And a squirrel lives under there too? Plus they all talk, and cook crabby patties. Chalk it up to imagination?? or insanity. posted by
Jason
on Apr 29, 2008 at 03:21 PM
Heh. First, three words: suspension of disbelief. Of course, this is coming from someone who did his senior thesis in college on a t.v. show, so it's not like I don't take t.v. seriously, quite the opposite, in fact. But re: CSI and Hollywood beauty standards and dramatic storytelling issues, well, it's a business. That's just an explanation--NOT an excuse. (That's a whole topic in and of itself!) Second, re: cartoons. My beef, connected to yours but a little different--it's not just Handy Manny doing labor for others out of the goodness of his heart for no remuneration. There's a whole subgenre of children's programming devoted to anthropomorphized non-living objects that "work" for humans for no pay but just because it's their nature, it's what they do. Handy Manny's tools, the planes of Jay Jay The Jet Plane, all of Thomas' hardworking buddies on Sodor, all of Bob the Builder's "employees." What about them? :) Thomas gots to get paid! ;)
posted by
HeatherIjames
on Apr 29, 2008 at 03:37 PM
For the record...just trying to be humorous. I'm not actually demanding that my TV be more real. I question to entertain myself because the shows are obviously not doing their fair share of entertaining me. posted by
bushelandapeck
on May 1, 2008 at 03:01 PM
So, here's my theory: Handy Manny's world is ideal - one where we all just take care of each other and help each other b/c of our love for one another :) no money, no I.O.U.s, etc. Maybe that's called a commune??? :)
Yeah, it's self entertainment to ponder these things.
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