Nov 8, 2005

surreality TV

Weird, weird, weird.
In some ways, though, the biggest winner was the viewer, particularly those who have seen real presidential debates where rules are negotiated and statements are carefully crafted to stay on point, get out the message and drive home emotions through words that have been carefully tested in focus groups. This episode, though scripted, seemed more real than the actual debates. It showed what a real debate might be if candidates ever decided to risk being themselves and confronting the issues and each other. Odd as it may seem, it gives viewers a basis for comparing actual presidential debates and what is possible.

3 comments:

MT said...

Can't tell what your point is. Mind elaborating?

Unknown said...

I think he's talking about the recent West Wing episode where Jimmy Smitts and Alan Alda had a live presidental debate.

It was mostly incoherent soundbytes, impromtu style.

It didn't benefit anyone. At all.

Jim Anderson said...

It was all very po-mo... that the "scripted" debate "seemed more real" than the "carefully crafted" debate. I can't even begin to wrap my brain around that description.

See also Hawkeye is my President.