Wednesday, March 23, 2011

"And that's the way it is,"

Walter Cronkite

     As one who grew up in the 70’s I do remember seeing Walter Cronkite on TV; being as young as I was at the time, the first time I remember seeing him was probably when the first landing on the moon. It was like he was actually there with you and talking just to you while reporting. One of the other reports was about the Vietnam War and also about what was going on here in the U.S. with protesting. Even as a child I remember Walter making news interesting and I want to hear more, learn more.

     Today some of the reporters; not all, seem to report the news with no passion, it is just their job to read the news, and some try too hard to give it an entertaining value. It’s the news not entertainment, report it like you care about the story and know what you are talking about. It should be if one does the research, they should be the one reporting; wherein, they can bring their enthusiasm, their true knowledge to the report.
Chris Matthews
     I started watching Chris Matthews a few months back and he reminds me of the late Tim Russert with whom I often watched on Sunday mornings. I would often get complaints from my son or a friend with whom I had planned to do “flee-marketing” or fishing with because I would always get stuck watching what Tim had to say that Sunday morning. Tim and Chris seem to have about the same mannerism on how they interview there guest, for the most part they appear to ask questions we all would like to know the answer to. For the most part they do allow the guest to answer without interruption even if they disagree, if there is a panel of guest they will allow; to certain extent, them to argue it out a bit or even join in. the other night I watched “Hardball”; (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036697/#42219501, March 22,2011), and Chris had Pat Bucanan (MSNBC political analyst) and Jenny Backus (Democratic strategist) on talking about if it was good strategy by the U.S. to take up military action in another Muslim country. It was incredibly funny when Chris said that Pat was an isolationist and Pat proclaimed to be a constitutionalists and there the defense came up throughout the interview. When they did finally get back to the question at hand Pat kept his defense up and had a bit of disagreement with Chris and Jenny. It is always good to see both sides of the argument, so to make an informal decision of my own. The problem is that with only a ten minute conversation on such a complex subject, one still needs to go look for more information to make a better judgment.

Rachel Maddow
      I just finished watching; for the first time, The Rachel Maddow Show; (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/#42222780, March 22,2011)and for the most part enjoyed its content. One of Rachel’s story about the California nuclear power plant in the Diablo Canyon and its hidden dangers, that have been swept under the rug by our government. To name one danger in particular is about the three earthquake fault lines that run directly beside the canyon. It baffles me as to why this place has not been shut down and this doesn’t is only one of about four mentioned; (As not to get into the whole story I will move on, must Watch.) I found the show very informative yet somewhat disturbing as to what I our governments, people we elect to serve and protect us, do behind our back. I do feel the show is more for the Democratic and feel that is good to a certain extent, I can always find another show that is Republican and list to their views of how the Democrats “Screw with U.S.”
    
       In short; I am neither Democrat nor Republican, I try to weigh the information given and make up my own mind. That is why God gave me a brain; to think on my own and make my own opinion. I do not need someone to tell me if I am cold or hot.







Chris Mathew – Hardball - http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036697/#42219501
Rachel Maddow - http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/#42222780
isolationist - an advocate of isolationism in international affairs  (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/isolationist )
Isolationism is a foreign policy adopted by a nation in which the country refuses to enter into any alliances, foreign trade or economic commitments, or international agreements in hopes of focusing all of its resources into advancement within its own borders while remaining at peace with foreign countries by avoiding all entanglements of foreign agreements. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isolationism )
A constitutionalist is often known by other names such as a constitutional conservative or a strict constructionalist. While the latter term typically refers to judges and justices, it is also used to describe any person that believes in a strict reading of the Constitution. A constitutionalist favors limited government, as prescribed by the Constitution. In the beliefs of the constitutionalist, such a government should be small not only in size but also in scope and in power (http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-constitutionalist.htm )
Constitutionalism has a variety of meanings. Most generally, it is "a complex of ideas, attitudes, and patterns of behavior elaborating the principle that the authority of government derives from and is limited by a body of fundamental law".[1] American Constitutionalism would be more correctly defined as a complex of ideas, attitudes, and patterns of behavior elaborating the principle that the authority of government derives from the people, and is limited by a body of fundamental law (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitutionalism )

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Lets Bring Back the Variety Shows



     Whatever happened to the “Variety” shows of the past? How do we consider some of the shows on TV now entertainment? The real entertainment has seemed to have gone away from our lives. It used to be you had to have some kind of real talent to get a show; such as sing, dance, acrobatics, animal or magic tricks... or throw a good punch line in a comedy skit, or even be able to ACT. Today you just have to be stupid, pregnant, have a dozen kids, drunk or addicted to some form of drugs to be considered entertaining.

Milton Berle


Elvis Presley 1/28/56
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Beatles - Ed Sullivan Show

     In the late 30’s into the 40’s “Variety” shows came to the airwaves, from the music halls in the United Kingdom, or vaudeville of the United States, we moved away from our radios to our new wonder; the TV. In came the visuals we had been missing, and let our imaginations go. We could now see the actors performing their routines in our own living rooms. The Texaco Star Theater, was one of the first to bring the true art form of entertainment into homes with their big bands, singer, comedians and many other talents. Hosted by the great Fred Allen; was truly one of the first American Idol or America's Got Talent “Variety” show.



Rowan & Martin Laugh In
Saturday Night Live 19

     Back in the 40’s and 50’s we were introduced to Milton Berle, "Mr. Television"Ted Mack introduced us to Gladys Knight at the age of 7. The Dorsey Brothers Stage Show  gave Elvis Presley him his first TV appearance and Ed Sullivan gave us The Beatles. All within their own rites brought forth great talent to the forefront and into our homes.      

     In the 60’s and 70’s we came into a new era of “Variety” with The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, venturing into late night programming. The Smothers Brothers Show, with their continued controversial political satire aimed at the “Vietnam War” or the  Carol Burnett Show, and there entertaining comedic skits throughout the show. There was Rowan and Martin's Laugh In, which was characterized by a “rapid-fire series of gags and sketches” that were sexual innuendo or politically charged.

     Of course we can't forget the everlasting, still going strong to this day " Saturday Night Live" which started in 1975. With the talents of; Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Chevy Chase, George Coe, Jane Curtin, Garrett Morris, Laraine Newman, Michael O'Donoghue, and Gilda Radner. It has gone through some change thru the years but has been resilience. Even though some of the writings are bit lame, I still catch myself going back for more.

     As with shows such as Jersey Shore , The Bachelor, The Real Housewives of......; just to name a few,I don't believe there is no need for talent and talent is what I look for in entertainment. Not someone trying to show me what they had for lunch, or who they slept with, or how great there life is or not. I have enough drama in my life to deal with I am not concerned with theirs. If the cameras were not there would they act the way they do. My mother always told "never air your dirty laundry for everyone to see" In today's society that is even more prevalent, as employers or future employers or even people on the street, will judge what they see before they really get to know the person.

I beg of you, Please bring back my Variety Shows with good talent and writers.

 

P.S. Click on highlighted areas to view samples.

Texaco Star Theater /Milton Berle / Ted Mack / Ed Sullivan / Elvis Presley / Gladys Knight / The Beatles / American Idol / America's Got Talent / TV Variety Shows of the 50's / Rowan and Martin's Laugh In / Elvis Presley / Johnny Carson / Saturday Night Live 19