Why We Watch
In the last week I've done my normal bit of travel between work and home in the islands, choreographed a fight between _____, scouted and trekked a mountain for ______ and ______ to tumble down, and attended a production meeting. This all sounds like the natural and uneventful work week of a stunt coordinator, because it is.
The more than mundane this week would be the season premier on the sands of Waikiki Beach with over 4,000 in attendance, followed by a premier party with an open bar, strict guest list, television cameras, not to mention the open bar. The week also included an Emmy party for the cast and crew, those that weren't on stage accepting the Emmy for Best Dramatic Series, and again, an open bar.
Here in lies the question; Why? Why all the hoopla over one person's industry than another's'? No one extra showed up for my Wal-Mart closings, heck, I was lucky all the grantors graced me with their presence to collect their checks. I must have luckily evaded the real estate groupies from mauling me in the parking lot asking for autographs and wanting to tell me how much they love one-stop shopping.
I know what your thinking. Your answer will be that TV is an escape, people like non-reality (although a lot of times in a scripted (shhh, don't tell) reality format), entertainment is different, etc. What makes this industry so entertaining, and go beyond the obvious fact that it is entertaining. You tell me, because I really don't know.
My hypothesis would be that the link between entertainment TV and media TV that dictates what and how we view and perceive all things, on television and elsewhere, stems from the same network conglomerates, blah, blah, blah, giving them all the power to influence where we focus our attention.
If the Big 4 started sneaking in Curling matches every now and again, penetrating prime time regardless of ratings, we'd be inundated to the point that a Curling match would be watched eventually, perhaps because the sportscasters that give you your football or baseball nightly education are reporting and building a buzz, perhaps acceptance, of this new, intriguing sport, making you question if you gave it a fair shake the first 50 years you rejected it and laughed at all those Canadians too uncoordinated to excel in hockey. And so it begins, the age of Curling. I would assume it's that simple. Curling will eventually announce a global league, and quietly the Big 4 have a predetermined contract signed years ago giving them a percentage stake in the league, teams, and televising rights. Arena Football ring any bells?
Maybe we just all watch too much TV; oh wait, all that print and radio feeding us this "news" would hook us, because they just happen to be owned by the same company that produces both the show, and the news program that reports on it. Ever heard of Viacom/CBS/Clear Channel...HELLO. It's all there, TV, print, and radio all wrapped up into a neat little package, some might even equate this to a normal d-day attack, and so they push their programming from all angles, and we watch, become entertained, and become addicted. Kinda fun huh. I'm not complaining...
...Season 2 Premier for LOST is Wednesday, September 21, 9pm...As if you didn't know.
The more than mundane this week would be the season premier on the sands of Waikiki Beach with over 4,000 in attendance, followed by a premier party with an open bar, strict guest list, television cameras, not to mention the open bar. The week also included an Emmy party for the cast and crew, those that weren't on stage accepting the Emmy for Best Dramatic Series, and again, an open bar.
Here in lies the question; Why? Why all the hoopla over one person's industry than another's'? No one extra showed up for my Wal-Mart closings, heck, I was lucky all the grantors graced me with their presence to collect their checks. I must have luckily evaded the real estate groupies from mauling me in the parking lot asking for autographs and wanting to tell me how much they love one-stop shopping.
I know what your thinking. Your answer will be that TV is an escape, people like non-reality (although a lot of times in a scripted (shhh, don't tell) reality format), entertainment is different, etc. What makes this industry so entertaining, and go beyond the obvious fact that it is entertaining. You tell me, because I really don't know.
My hypothesis would be that the link between entertainment TV and media TV that dictates what and how we view and perceive all things, on television and elsewhere, stems from the same network conglomerates, blah, blah, blah, giving them all the power to influence where we focus our attention.
If the Big 4 started sneaking in Curling matches every now and again, penetrating prime time regardless of ratings, we'd be inundated to the point that a Curling match would be watched eventually, perhaps because the sportscasters that give you your football or baseball nightly education are reporting and building a buzz, perhaps acceptance, of this new, intriguing sport, making you question if you gave it a fair shake the first 50 years you rejected it and laughed at all those Canadians too uncoordinated to excel in hockey. And so it begins, the age of Curling. I would assume it's that simple. Curling will eventually announce a global league, and quietly the Big 4 have a predetermined contract signed years ago giving them a percentage stake in the league, teams, and televising rights. Arena Football ring any bells?
Maybe we just all watch too much TV; oh wait, all that print and radio feeding us this "news" would hook us, because they just happen to be owned by the same company that produces both the show, and the news program that reports on it. Ever heard of Viacom/CBS/Clear Channel...HELLO. It's all there, TV, print, and radio all wrapped up into a neat little package, some might even equate this to a normal d-day attack, and so they push their programming from all angles, and we watch, become entertained, and become addicted. Kinda fun huh. I'm not complaining...
...Season 2 Premier for LOST is Wednesday, September 21, 9pm...As if you didn't know.
posted by Jonathan at 1:19 AM
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