If You're Not Watching, You Should Be

And if it makes you uncomfortable, or screws with your inner narrative, it's because the show is loaded with what we Americans spend a great deal of time avoiding these days:  THE TRUTH.

We know more about reality TV plotlines than the economy.  We vote more often for SYTYCD and American Idol than we do in our real elections.  We know who is sleeping around on Real Housewives, which Toddler needs her tiara shoved up her mom's ass, which piece of slime on the Jersey Shore got drunk last night, and which Bachelor got a tongue kiss in a human stewpot, but we don't know geography, world events, current events, accurate history, why/where we are at war (and how many die daily), who our congressmen/women are, or care enough to research when we are lapping up lies in our inboxes forwarded from Cousin Betty or Uncle Bob.

We are a sloppy, intellectually lazy electorate. 

We are.  But we don't have to be.

Comments

[Nicole]

We absolutely LOVE that show! It is so refreshingly eye opening and humorous all at the same time!

Nic

[Liz in CT]

"I'm in."

[Tiffany]

I love it too

[Katy]

I have no idea what happened, but what I meant to say in the second paragraph was:

BTW, I can proudly say, although I won't claim to know everything about history, wars, current events national and international, I DO try, but I can honestly say that I do NOT know anything about Housewives, Jersey Shores, SYTYCD, etc. My mindless escape is watching reruns of King of Queens or Seinfeld.

[Magda]

My husband and I have a date every Sunday night. We watch the show in complete silence and look at each other, wanting to explode with "YES, you nailed it" and high fives. Great discussions after each show.

[Theresa from Virginia]

I love my country, but I've traveled and lived in a good portion of the world and am smart enough to know that there are other great countries out there. Do we have problems? Yes! Do all these other countries have problems? Yes! But we can each make a little difference, and all those little differences make for big positive improvements.

I choose to watch a lot of things on TV, although reality TV is not my thing. I also don't have HBO and so therefore don't watch Newsroom - frankly, haven't even heard of the show until now, but the clip was interesting.

[Katy]

Thanks for letting me know about this program. I don't have HBO currently, but this might make it worth the extra per month.

BTW, I can proudly say, although I won't claim to know everything about don't know any of the things you mentioned about history, wars, current events national and international, I DO try, but I can honestly say that I do NOT know anything about Housewives, Jersey Shores, SYTYCD, etc. My mindless escape is watching reruns of King of Queens or Seinfeld.

[Another Lori in TX]

Great clip! We don't have cable tv anymore, so I can't watch it now, but once it comes out online or in video stores, it will be on my list.

[Chicky]

Awesome - makes me wish I had HBO (or better Internet)...I've been hearing a lot about this show (the chatter is mostly good)...but this was just wonderfully written.

[Shawn in So Cal]

I AM watching and ABSOLUTELY LOVE it! Well written and the acting is top notch.

[LB from Ohio]

I am loving this show. The first (2) episodes weren't great but it has been really really good after that!!

[MPolo]

Thanks:)(Dummy me Googled it, after I asked you. I so often forget I can do that, haha!)

[Linda S to MPolo]

It is The Newsroom. New episodes are each Sunday night on HBO, 9pm EST. But like most things, HBO To Go airs it later in the week, etc.

[MPolo]

I loved this clip, and have re-posted it. I am unfamiliar w/ this show... to the point I have never even heard of it. Can you tell me please, when it airs, and what broadcasting channel covers it? Thanks:)