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Monday, March 17, 2003 Page: 3A
HHow can we talk about the movies when the world’s on the brink of war?
The CNN evening newscaster’s rhetorical question seemed more of an apology
than anything: We know you’re a tense populace; nonetheless, for a break, we
take you to Hollywood to chat with some Oscar hopefuls before Sunday’s big
party.
A fellow broadcaster, passing surprisingly public judgment on his own
network, summarily sneered: “Ask them if they know a war’s on the way.”
Now, I’m all for a little celebrity-bashing now and again, but gee whiz.
This self-righteousness was enough to turn my attention back to my
coupon-clipping, bill-paying, “important amendment to my credit-card
agreement” deciphering.
Sure a war’s on the way, yet the banalities march on. Time for a channel
change.
In lieu of CNN, I now eyeball this “Married By America” misadventure,
reality television’s “bold experiment.”
With a mix of incredulity, disgust and bemusement (but I readily admit a
good dose of helpless captivation), I watch utter strangers who’ve never even
beheld each other’s faces let alone learned each other’s birthdays promise
forever.
And to think they mocked “The Bachelor/ette.”
“This is a real engagement,” the host notes almost as often as I, the
viewer, am addressed as “America.”
Gosh, what would they think of this in Iraq?
Not-so-complete escape
OK, you anti-TV types. “Married By America” has gone like this: Millions
of folks at home dialed a toll-free number to match up five sets of strangers
to whom even they’d had only the most surface of introductions. About all the
marriage prospects clearly had in common was a propensity to say things like
“mutual respect is so important” and “I’ve waited for this my entire
life.”
Regardless, “America” connected the dots to select the knots, and now the
real sport begins, as the intendeds ride en masse into the sunset, there to
see if they might actually stomach each other for more than a week. Meanwhile,
back at home, we – voyeurs? – can gawk away.
In between CNN broadcasts about or from Iraq. In between, it’s quite
possible, ghastly images of a divisive war. In between, essentially, reality
TV the likes of which we never quite bargained for.
Say, anyone want to talk about the movies after all? In this climate, will
it be the lusty, gusty “Chicago” or grisly, gloomy “The Pianist” for all
the marbles on Sunday? I’ve seen both. Loved both. I’m dichotomously torn.
As humans, aren’t we all? Can we not think seriously about war yet relish a
morsel of escapism?
Horror flicks exceed my emotional capacity. But if a captive audience of a
masked freak, I like to rinse the aftermath with a few minutes of “Everybody
Loves Raymond” or a similar tranquilizer for the jumpy soul.
TV-bashers, especially the anti-reality kind, have inquired whether I’m
aware my viewing pleasures are not, in fact, pure reality.
Well, duh.
At such a time as this, that’s exactly the way I like it, thank you.
Call Sandra Snyder at 831-7383 or e-mail ssnyder@leader.net.