Strike Sadness

In light of the Writer’s Strike, I’ve been feeling sort of guilty at just how broken up I am about the whole thing. I find myself wincing at the idea of The Office disappearing in two weeks. I cringe at the thought of a giant break after the first eight episodes of Lost. I just assumed this was a sign that I was way too into television.

But the more I think about it, the more I realize that it’s probably an appropriate reaction. There’s something about serialized narrative that allows us to invest ourselves in the types of people we normally wouldn’t get to know very well. And well-written and acted shows like Lost and The Office give us a real feeling of empathy and understanding towards all sorts of different people and worldviews. Sure, I should be getting to know real non-Christians, and I do. But they only expose so much of themselves. These characters, they’re open and authentic. They’re real, in a way the people we work with just aren’t sometimes.

This is all very odd sounding, and I should point out that these “people” on television are no substitute. Instead, they’re merely footnotes to the real people we know. The well-written character, whether it be in a book, film or television show can be an insight into our co-workers, family members or friends. And I am really going to miss them.

Related Articles

• Podcast #7: One Incredibly Long and Boring Night
  09 November 2007 3:37 PM | No Comments

  Tweet This past Sunday, the world watched as Hollywood commended itself for producing such brilliant television, and at the same time acknowledged that it really doesn’t put out brilliant television. So what’s the deal? How good is television, really? And what do the winners of...

  Read More
• Jesus Goes to South Park
  09 November 2007 6:05 PM | 4 Comments

  South Park has had a consistently successful run ever since it’s debut in 1997. Created and written by Matt Stone and Trey Parker, who also do the majority of the voices for the show, it is aired on Comedy Central, a network known for edgy, line-crossing comedy programs that are often marked by intelligently satirical qualities. South Park is no different. While the show often tends toward easy humor such as excessive profanity and fart-jokes, it also has moments of skillful insight.

  Read More
• The Revolution Will Have to Call You Back
  09 November 2007 6:18 PM | No Comments

  David blogged recently about the iPhone, examining what Christians should think of such a device. One observation: "…it has the potential to become a god. Lining up to buy the iPhone may just suggest the worship of materialism that is rampant in our country. It may suggest the reign of Mamon on our “Christian” continent. Beyond the foundational issue of idolatry is the issue of responsibility. How many people will fork over the hundreds of dollars required to buy this phone, and the thousands it will cost to keep it running every year, and will fail to live up to their other duties? Such scenes remind me of the Apostle Paul’s words, 'all things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful.'"

  Read More
• Podcast #14: Dumbledore’s Coming Out Party
  09 November 2007 3:52 PM | 2 Comments

  It goes without saying that without Harry Potter there would be no show. What else would David have to bring up every single episode - relentlessly - without bringing up Rich's brilliant (Or misguided?) claim that Harry Potter was a Christ figure? Well, J. K. Rowling is clearly messing with our heads. A few weeks ago, she announced to the world, "I always thought of Dumbledore as gay."

  Read More