I remember very early television in the late 40s and early 50s when Hollywood only leased out silent films and grade B westerns from the early 30s that were awful. Actually it motivated TV to offer some very good programing by shifting the radio shows to television, like the Goldbergs, Jack Benny, and Milton Berle, along with some excellent, original drama broadcasts, such as “Marty” before it was a movie. Of course, the Soaps were simulcast as well. Because of the innovations to TV, Hollywood finally had to acknowledge this bratty stepchild and began to release in increments the better movies of old.


Those pioneers must be rolling their eyes over the current prevalence of “reality” shows, which strike me as an evasive action to true imaginative programing. If there’s to be reality, whatever happened to documentaries, with the caliber of “Victory at Sea” series? Why is cultivated culture relegated to PBS and Discovery channels? Shouldn’t a great nation be mindful of upgrading its citizenry even in entertainment that has an edifying quality? Must we be subjected to Joe Average and Joe Millionaire, in lieu of true romantic feelings? Do we really care that some plain Jane can overcome her fear by swallowing disgusting creatures — or be a toughie on an island of savage males?


Perhaps Plato was right when he feared the poets — though he was in sorts one himself — would do damage to his “Republic” with their “divine madness.” Unfortunately, there’s nothing divine about the current trend in entertainment — but certainly mad.