From a Fox PR:
'Should your height determine whom you find attractive? Of course not! THE LITTLEST GROOM will venture where no other show has gone by helping a young man who is 4'5" tall to find true love. Initially believing he will choose among women of similar stature to his own, he later discovers, in a surprising twist, that some average-sized women will enter the picture. Will his ideal mate be a little person, or will she be of average height?'
Last night, Lindsey and I had a conversation concerning the value of television. While she often has strong feelings against many of the shows and commercials that TV can subject a person too, I feebly championed the glimpses of worthwhile entertainment that it offers. Then I saw this blurb in the morning paper. Oh well.
I think it can be agreed that TV is often used as a drug, and can be just as addictive as one.
Here's what The Littlest Groom himself had to say to the New York Post:
"It's not every day you see a little person - let alone get to know their personal lives," he said. "All I know is that I had a great time doing this show and never for a second felt exploited."
"If someone is going to be close-minded, then they don't know what reality is themselves," he said. "This is the world we live in - people need to get over themselves."
You should go into marketing and find some way to make commercials which are profitable and do not take advantage of the hopes and fears of the populace. While the commercials and media tactics continue to be profitable, in a relatively free market economy, they will be used and justifiably so. To the news agencies whose viewers stay tuned through the long set of mind numbing commercials, the ends justify the means.
It's unfortunate, but it works.
Posted by: E1st at February 1, 2004 5:50 AMIt's funny to me that without realizing it, this post ties in quite well with today's gross media spectacle: The SuperBowl.
Seriously though, this has become a national holiday, for all intents and purposes. For all that I defend TV, when people tell me they have to see the SuperBowl 'just for the commercials' I get the rising sensation to backhand them.
Maybe this is because I'm not a huge football fan, like I know many that watch also aren't, but it's not like you can give me any other annual event that centers so many people nationwide around a television, and where the programing that draws people is 49% sensationalist consumer spectacle at it's most sublime.
When the computer geek in the sub has his laptop plugged in while he works just so he won't miss 'the game,' that's when you know we've hit a new low.
Posted by: Andy at February 2, 2004 12:08 AM
My strong feelings: Let me begin by saying that I know that some television programs are worthwhile. Unfortunately, I think they are lost in the sensationalist, consumer-driven assault that one must endure through any TV experience. Television can expose us to information that we might otherwise miss, yet it destroys our imaginations and attention spans. TV news and commercials are especially destructive, for they thrive on promoting a culture of fear. News: “A local virus is on a rampage this season. Are you and your family safe?” “Storm Watch 2003: Prepare for flooding!” “An every-day food that could be weakening your heart: stay turned!” Commercials try to convince us that we are inadequate; we don’t have the right car insurance or toothpaste, and we are missing all the sales. Go to fast food restaurants and all-you-can-eat buffets, then join every health club and start taking diet pills. Reality shows and day-time TV promote the very worst aspects of humanity. And media monopolies perpetuate this mess. It’s ridiculous.
Posted by: Lindsey at January 31, 2004 10:30 AM