Voiles: Revisiting the “waste wasteland”

JAN VOILES

Republican Staff Writer

I think it was Edward R. Murrow who decades ago referred to television as a “waste wasteland.” Afraid I’m going to have to agree. Sure seems like the offerings on this noise box as Winnie and Duffy call it, are pretty slim. No, I don’t get the History Channel or Discovery Channel, but I do get PBS which has some favorites.

My question is, “If the programs on TV are so not worth my time, why do I watch them?” Is there some remnant thought from my childhood that regards this as a treat or “new” phenomena? Do I keep watching in hopes something good will come along? Or is it because if I open a book I close my eyes?

Many of the programs have gotten too violent or too graphic for my taste. As in the past, you can tell when the original writers were replaced by network scribes. After a show has been on for several seasons you still see the introduction of celebrity guest stars or travel to overseas locations to re-spark interest.

One show I don’t think I like, yet find myself watching sometimes is the Survivor series. That makes this e-mail from cousin CR very timely. It’s a plan for the next Survivor series. (Please note: I did NOT write this. I’m not a mother – just “Mama Jan” to two very spoiled domestic felines. I’m sure fathers have a lot to do too.) Anyway, here’s the plan.

Six married men will be dropped on an island with one car and three kids each for six weeks.

Each kid will play two sports and either take music or dance classes.

There is no fast food.

Each man must take care of his three kids, keep his assigned house clean, correct all homework, and complete science projects, cook, do laundry, and pay a list of “pretend” bills with not enough money.

In addition, each man will have to budget in money for groceries each week.

Each man must remember the birthdays of all their friends and relatives, and send cards out on time – no e-mailing.

Each man must also take each child to a doctor's appointment, a dentist appointment and a haircut appointment.

He must make one unscheduled and inconvenient visit per child to the Urgent Care.