In Disaster Lies a Chance for Television to Begin Anew

What we have witnessed on television these past two weeks is truly reality television. Soul-searing, gut-wrenching reality television.

It has forced most of the network news departments and their local affiliates to get back into the business they do best, and at times brilliantly: broadcast journalism.

So often in the recent past they have allowed themselves to pander to sensationalism, and have become thinly disguised shills for the program promotion departments of their corporate masters. Hopefully never again!

Perhaps these horrendous events will indeed lead to the hasty demise of the other so-called reality form of programming, which appears to have successfully exploited, manipulated, numbed and dumbed the brains of so many television viewers.

After the terrible reality of the New York and Pentagon attacks, will anyone really care who the “weakest link” is, or who jumps off a bridge attached to a bungee cord in search of their 15 seconds of insignificant fame, or who gets voted off the island or out of the house?

Perhaps, too, these events can lead to the birth of a new and glorious golden age of television. An age where once again we are entertained by programs that truly attempt to open and challenge our minds, and touch our emotions rather than anesthetize them.

Where laughter and applause are real, not something generated by a machine at the whim of a producer. Where standing ovations are given for something absolutely outstanding, rather than for the mere act of a Jerry Springer or others of his ilk making an entrance. The list goes on and on.

Perhaps? I doubt it, but I hope so.