Showing posts with label Reality TV. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Reality TV. Show all posts
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Duck Dynasty: Not So Ducky As Patriarch Canned
This is not the article I had intended to write. Far from it. I am not a fan of so-called "reality" TV. I have enough "reality" in my own life already thank you very much. However, were I to watch this type of programming, I somehow don't see myself watching a show like "Duck Dynasty", and yet here I am writing about it, or rather, writing about one its cast members, the head of the family clan, Phil Robertson. And the reason I'm doing that is what just happened to Mr. Robertson. It seems that the show's producers, A&E, recently fired ("indefinite hiatus" was the official language) because Mr. Robertson made a few comments that the folks in the corner offices over at A&E Network didn't like regarding gays, which he equated with immoral behavior. The comments were made in a personal interview with GQ's Drew Magery (you can read the full interview I provided below).
The 67 year old and former self-admitted Louisiana hellion and family patriarch, Phil Robertson expressed a personal opinion that he didn't like or condone homosexual behavior, not because of some unaddressed bigotry or hatred, but because it conflicted with his upbringing and his personal faith (he considers himself a born again "bible thumper"). Mr. Robertson stated that he thought homosexual behavior was a "sin" and violated the laws of God. He also stated that he thought blacks were better off before the Civil Rights Movement and the advent of the government welfare state. But it was for his remarks about gays which got him canned by A&E.
Folks, I'm as straight an arrow, but I take no issue with anyone regarding their religious beliefs (provided they're not try to forcefully convert or make me comply in some way with their faith or kill me), or to their sexuality. To use a perhaps inappropriate cliché, I have and have had many friends who are gay or bisexual. While it's not my cup of tea, it doesn't change who they are as my friends or as people in general, and who they chose to love or how they chose to love is, frankly, none of my damn business. However, Mr. Robertson has every right to express his opinion without fear of retribution (like losing his job) or censure. He was on his own time and clearly speaking for himself.
To quote that famous line from the movie "Cool Hand Luke", "what we have here is a failure to communicate", and I might add, a failure to simply accept what someone says at face value and leave it alone. I don't agree with what everyone says, and I'm sure many don't agree with everything I say (although I can't imagine why), the fact is that in our society, everyone has the right to their opinion---and their own beliefs---and the right to express them so long as none are threatened or harmed. And we, as fellow citizens have the duty to defend those rights regardless of where we agree with them or not. For when one of us lose that right, be it popular or not, we all will so lose that same right.
Here's the link to the full interview:
What the Duck?
http://www.gq.com/entertainment/television/201401/duck-dynasty-phil-robertson?currentPage=1
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Survivor of the Fittest
You know, I don’t watch so-called “reality” shows. Never have. Frankly, I just have too much “reality” in my life already. Give me some good ole Star Trek or Mel Brooks anytime. But, I couldn’t help noticing that the reality series, “Survivor” is kicking off its new season with just a little too much reality.
This season will feature the usual four teams competing against each other for a piece of day old bread crust or some such. The hook, however, is that the four teams will be based on race. That’s right. We’ll have an “African-American” team, an “Asian-American” team, a “Hispanic” team, and of course, a “White” team (if they want to use the idea of race, then they should either be using the proper names of each race, or if they want to use skin color for the teams, then use it everybody—black, yellow, brown, and white. Bear in mind too that “Hispanic” refers more to a culture and language. Hispanics can be racially classified as Caucasians or Negroid, depending on their origin. African-American and Asian-American describes whether you or your ancestors came from Africa or Asia and isn’t necessarily race specific). So, despite the latter referring to skin color and the first three to origin, the idea of races competing for prices is, well, really dumb.
Do we really need a TV show, however mediocre it’s content, promoting racial conflict to boost some sponsor’s profits? What kind of message does this send to the viewing audience, especially to the youth who are already under pressure from race oriented gangs? That, somehow, it’s ok that races should be competing rather finding ways of working together is a good thing? There’s also the real possibility this season’s episodes will do nothing more than encourage racial tensions, and, perhaps inadvertently, reinforce racial stereotypes. And this is what they call “entertainment” at the networks these days?
If a ratings booster is what they’re really after, how about four teams comprised of one individual from each race competing to build a house for Habitat for Humanity the fastest in some third world country? Personally, I’d like to show CBS how to play survivor by switching channels. Better yet, if they really want to play “survivor”, and boost ratings at the same time, then how about bringing the top four winners from the series and pit them again four men teams from the Navy's SEALs, the Army’s Green Berets, and the Marine's Recon. I bet each Special Forces team would be dining on “Survivor alum alfresco” before the first week was out. Now, that’s a Survivor season I’d like to see! Hooyah, go Navy!
A Labor of Love
Well, we’re coming up to the last three day weekend of the summer, Labor Day. It’s a day set aside for working stiffs like you and me. It s a day when many of us go camping, fishing, boating, picnicking, or just kick back and enjoy time off from work (oh yeah, let’s not forget the all the sales). But while we’re enjoying our extended weekend, let’s not forget the sacrifices unions have made on our behalf. Thanks to organized labor, most of us have health benefits, tuition reimbursement, regular breaks and time off for lunch. Let’s also not forget about child labor laws, minimum wage, overtime and holiday pay, anti-discrimination and work safety laws, not to mention OSHA, Wage and Hour, Labor Relation Boards, Federal Mediation Agency, the EPA, and “whistle blower” laws that have come about because of unions. Heck, if it wasn’t for unions, we wouldn’t have 40 hour work weeks, vacation time or retirement! So, while you and yours spend some quality time together, take a moment and thank the working men and women of Labor for all they’ve done for us.
A Question of Degree
In my last issue, I proudly announced that Campaigns and Elections has included this blog on their national blog site. Well, that prompted some several comments and emails from folks, both pro and con, about this blog’s listing under the “Liberal” category. So, I’d like to do a little informal poll. Take a look at some of our past postings. You may even want to check out the Archives if you have time. Then, send me your opinion as to whether this blog is more accurately described as:
1. Far Right
2. Conservative
3. Center Right/Progressive
4. Centrist/Moderate/ Progressive
5. Center Left/Progressive
6. Liberal
7. Far Left
I’ll post the results in my next issue, and if there’s a change from the current listing, I’ll ask the people at C&E to make the change. After all, the readers have spoken! Feel free to vote direct using my email rather than the comment section.
This season will feature the usual four teams competing against each other for a piece of day old bread crust or some such. The hook, however, is that the four teams will be based on race. That’s right. We’ll have an “African-American” team, an “Asian-American” team, a “Hispanic” team, and of course, a “White” team (if they want to use the idea of race, then they should either be using the proper names of each race, or if they want to use skin color for the teams, then use it everybody—black, yellow, brown, and white. Bear in mind too that “Hispanic” refers more to a culture and language. Hispanics can be racially classified as Caucasians or Negroid, depending on their origin. African-American and Asian-American describes whether you or your ancestors came from Africa or Asia and isn’t necessarily race specific). So, despite the latter referring to skin color and the first three to origin, the idea of races competing for prices is, well, really dumb.
Do we really need a TV show, however mediocre it’s content, promoting racial conflict to boost some sponsor’s profits? What kind of message does this send to the viewing audience, especially to the youth who are already under pressure from race oriented gangs? That, somehow, it’s ok that races should be competing rather finding ways of working together is a good thing? There’s also the real possibility this season’s episodes will do nothing more than encourage racial tensions, and, perhaps inadvertently, reinforce racial stereotypes. And this is what they call “entertainment” at the networks these days?
If a ratings booster is what they’re really after, how about four teams comprised of one individual from each race competing to build a house for Habitat for Humanity the fastest in some third world country? Personally, I’d like to show CBS how to play survivor by switching channels. Better yet, if they really want to play “survivor”, and boost ratings at the same time, then how about bringing the top four winners from the series and pit them again four men teams from the Navy's SEALs, the Army’s Green Berets, and the Marine's Recon. I bet each Special Forces team would be dining on “Survivor alum alfresco” before the first week was out. Now, that’s a Survivor season I’d like to see! Hooyah, go Navy!
A Labor of Love
Well, we’re coming up to the last three day weekend of the summer, Labor Day. It’s a day set aside for working stiffs like you and me. It s a day when many of us go camping, fishing, boating, picnicking, or just kick back and enjoy time off from work (oh yeah, let’s not forget the all the sales). But while we’re enjoying our extended weekend, let’s not forget the sacrifices unions have made on our behalf. Thanks to organized labor, most of us have health benefits, tuition reimbursement, regular breaks and time off for lunch. Let’s also not forget about child labor laws, minimum wage, overtime and holiday pay, anti-discrimination and work safety laws, not to mention OSHA, Wage and Hour, Labor Relation Boards, Federal Mediation Agency, the EPA, and “whistle blower” laws that have come about because of unions. Heck, if it wasn’t for unions, we wouldn’t have 40 hour work weeks, vacation time or retirement! So, while you and yours spend some quality time together, take a moment and thank the working men and women of Labor for all they’ve done for us.
A Question of Degree
In my last issue, I proudly announced that Campaigns and Elections has included this blog on their national blog site. Well, that prompted some several comments and emails from folks, both pro and con, about this blog’s listing under the “Liberal” category. So, I’d like to do a little informal poll. Take a look at some of our past postings. You may even want to check out the Archives if you have time. Then, send me your opinion as to whether this blog is more accurately described as:
1. Far Right
2. Conservative
3. Center Right/Progressive
4. Centrist/Moderate/ Progressive
5. Center Left/Progressive
6. Liberal
7. Far Left
I’ll post the results in my next issue, and if there’s a change from the current listing, I’ll ask the people at C&E to make the change. After all, the readers have spoken! Feel free to vote direct using my email rather than the comment section.
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