Then and now
Talking about old shows yesterday made me think. Do you realise that most of the old shows featured a hero? Knight Rider, MacGyver, Matlock, Hunter... okay, I didn't watch a lot of tv back then, so these are the only ones I remember.
Where have all the heroes gone? Okay, we still have heroes in shows like CSI and Charmed, but... these days we're also watching loads of reality tv. REALITY TV! It really does mirror reality coz you get to see people bitching about each other behind their backs (The Apprentice, anyone?) and the extremes people will go to in order to get a million bucks. Sometimes I watch Fear Factor and marvel at what a motivator money can be. I don't mind the stunts, it's eating the gross stuff that really has me watching in fascinated horror. We all know that the desire to acquire money can lead people to do lots of weird, if not unethical and illegal, things -- but to actually see what lengths some are capable of going to in order to win a million dollars, that's really eye-opening. At least they aren't doing anything unethical or illegal, eh?
Is it my imagination or are shows getting "smarter"? I mean, if you compare Gilmore Girls to, say, The Cosby Show, you can see how we've lost the simplicity of the old days (gosh, I'm not supposed to be old enough to refer to the old days!). Everything's more complex now; the dialogue's faster, sharper, the laughs more ironic and cynical.
A lot of shows now focus on relationships: Friends, Ally McBeal, The OC... perhaps because more and more people in our fast-paced world are finding it difficult to connect with others. I think we're becoming a lonely society and we're starting to realise the value of relationships as we seek to find meaning in our existence here on earth. Especially those of us who live in bustling, busy cities -- many people tend to work long hours and be consumed by their jobs, but though they've achieved a measure of success, life still feels hollow and then they start to wonder whether that's all there is to look forward to -- more work? Bigger promotions? Higher salaries?
I guess we're starting to figure out that what we want, what might give life more meaning, is to love & be loved. Unfortunately, in the tv shows, a lot of times sex is equated with love, or at least seen as an adequate substitute. My housemates and I religiously watched the first season of The OC and got our brains tied up into knots. Everybody seems to be sleeping with each other or has slept with each other at one point of time. That show stretches your credulity to the limits, not to mention teaches that lust is something you can't control. Give in to your desires, for you cannot help what you feel and the moment is upon you. Worry about the consequences later. Not good.
All in all, I think the 80's shows were a lot more wholesome and espoused more of the good old-fashioned family values. Okay, so I never watched Dallas or Dynasty... maybe I'm speaking too soon. I probably should ask Ruth more about this coz she's definitely more well-informed than I when it comes to tv shows!