TV Writers Strike!

Network TV shows have writers—who knew? And I thought all that talk show blather came right out of their squash. Were you deceived, as I was, thinking all that brilliant repartee was dreamed up by the star of the show? Is it possible that Leno and Letterman are not actually responsible for that rapier sharp wit? Apparently, all of the well-coiffed, slickly garbed, golden tongued hosts are now revealed to be as clumsy as the rest of us in forming ideas on the fly. Their principal talent is now revealed to be only their timing and the ability of a fourth grader to read off a teleprompter. In itself a considerable ability, but is it worth the millions?

Evidently it is, because we dial in by the legions to hear that mindless drivel every night. Surely tens of millions of viewers can’t be wrong. The commentary on news, politics, religion and of course, constant sexual innuendo, pollutes our homes and worse, our minds. We willingly adjust the remote to provide not just talk shows but also sitcoms rife with endorsement of one deviant life style after another. The supposition is that the fabric of American culture is exposed and contemporary problems are addressed. As I look at our home and those of our closer friends, I fail to see the similarity.

As we bow our heads to give thanks to God for our meal and other blessings, most of us are not interrupted by the entrance (stage left) of some guy in a pink short skirt, carrying a Gucci bag, screaming for attention. Our subsequent table talk is not devoted to “green” issues or sis’s upcoming abortion. We do not discuss some impending deceit to advance the family’s fortune or status. We see the father in the household as a benign counselor and a strong figure to lean upon. We view the mother as his helpmate with the softness to absorb the daily cares and the wisdom to advance the family’s growth and development. I truly believe our close friends and neighbors more nearly mirror the popular culture than those who run from one crisis to another.

Do we live in a bubble? Well, yes and no—we, like many Saints, exist in a world rife with many problems in which we choose not to participate. After exposure to the word of God it is apparent that many of today’s young families shun the dysfunctional approach to family life. Thankfully, our faith tends to insulate us from many outside perils. This solid core of belief in God and the constant desire to live His way and please Him serves us well in maintaining the stability of our homes. That stability is the cornerstone of our church and our nation.

Obviously the media at all levels thrives on controversy and human suffering. Who wants to see a news release about the fellowship and warmth of a successful church dinner? Is the presence or lack of paprika on deviled eggs a subject for “Sixty Minutes”? Take two of each and make your own decision. The onset of the strike has revealed much about our family’s viewing habits. We had to wait until a Monday night when Leno features “Headlines” to figure out that it had begun.

Upon the loss of Leno's "Headlines" I realized I was being deprived of a personal favorite. My beloved Packers had not been affected. Discovery and the History channels were still educating me. The activity on the Animal Channel was still delighting me and whetting my appetite for the “Puppy Bowl” (if you love puppies and hate football, this has to be on your agenda) on Super Bowl weekend. C-Span was still a snoozer. “Casablanca” reruns along with other oldie favorites were still being aired on Turner Classics. The Weather channel continued to be alarmed over a half inch rain in Galveston. The “Mythbusters” proceeded in their desire to blow themselves up in pursuit of truth. I even caught Tiger making yet another 45’ putt. It also provided an opportunity for Oprah to go on the campaign trail for Obama. It really didn’t matter all that much.

Since I don’t trust any TV news I have no idea what the impact has been in that area. We get all our news from trusted sources on the net. Yes, they exist. I recently published a picture of a restoration of the cross on Saint Mary’s church in Baghdad which I doubt anyone saw on the nightly news. It didn’t involve suicidal Islamic fundamentalists or US military failures, so therefore was not newsworthy.

For those of you who are getting sick of re-runs, you have my sympathy. I don’t wish anything to cause you pain. For those of you who didn’t notice the absence of the writers, I applaud your viewing choices. This prompts a recommendation to all; you might think about settling down with a “Good Book”. By the time you read—and understand it—the strike will be over.

In His abiding love,

Cecil Moon