Cape Karen
I don't know about you, but I look forward to watching Ty Pennington hosting the show, "Extreme Make-Over: Home Edition" on Sunday nights. It's one of those all too rare shows that focus on the positive in human nature, instead of on the negative. And, gosh o' golly, it's even successful! I think the producers must have taken a page out of Oprah's book on what people really want to watch. I'm just amazed that there aren't more uplifting shows like this one available to us.
Why do the majority of today's writers and producers feel, that in order to get good ratings, they need to focus on sensationalistic and 'doom and gloom' programs, or appeal to those who didn't make it through the first grade? Obviously, this unique show's success, like the success of The Oprah Winfrey Show, have proven to them that it just isn't true.
I can recall when Oprah's show first came on - with her big hair, dark skin, and positive, life-affirming outlook, she was a true sea-change for those who were used to watching the likes of Mike Douglas, Sally Jessy Rafael and Geraldo with their 'sensationalistic' shows featuring a bunch of lame-brained idiots, yelling, screaming, having fist-fights and using bad language. Oprah changed all that, and those other daytime shows eventually gave way, for the most part, to a more dignified and positive broadcasting style ~ or they just went off the air.
I was hoping that Extreme Make-Over: Home Edition would do the same for nightly, prime-time television ~ but, then I saw the line-up of new shows that are scheduled for 2006. O' good grief! The focus is currently on the many natural disasters that could erupt on the earth in the future. Taking their cues from actual events of this past year, they're now going to capitalize on our fears and anxieties ~ like we really need that!?
Where are the good, new script-writers? Where are the up and coming producers? The talented young folks out there need to step up to the plate and begin creating better television programs ~ programs geared towards people who still have a few brain cells left; scripts that capture the essence of the good in people and that truly entertain; shows that uplift our spirits and give us hope ~ not programs that are designed to make us all more terrified and more sleepless in the USA. (We get enough of that on The Weather Channel these days.) Relying on the news, the weather, and the same-old, same-old, brainless themes is taking the easy way out. I want to see some real creativity, some interesting concepts, something different, unique and compelling!
Ty Pennington's show makes me laugh, moves me to tears, gives me hope and makes me give thanks for the goodness, mercy, caring and compassion of people helping those in need. Yes, it's just a show ~ but, at least it has real heart! Those are the kind of programs we could use more of in this day and age, not a bunch of new, negative doom and gloom programs ~ or those dumb sit-com shows that are geared to the brain capacity of an ant-eater, like "My Name is Earl." (I sat through 10 minutes of that one (duh. . .????) and quickly changed the channel.
This year, I think I'll be doing a lot more walking, learning, reading, watching good, educational television, (like Nova and other PBS shows) rug hooking and sewing.
Yup. . . in 2006 . . . I have resolved to exercise my right to turn off the damn TV . . .
(. . .as soon as "Extreme Make-Over: Home Edition" is over on Sunday nights.)