Lynch Pen: Is there really a need for so much ‘reality’ on television?

This aging thing does have some benefits. One of the things that is becoming more obvious as I grow older is how much we can learn from television. Yes, the History Channel and PBS have some very informative programs, but I’m talking about other less recognized means of aiding society through education - the commercials, the do-it-yourself programs that range from psychologist to judge’s courtroom demeanor, to reality shows.

How were our ancestors able to be happy without the information source that comes into our living rooms in living color, 24 hours a day on too many channels to count?

Forgive me if I offend you by talking about cable television and not giving credit to satellite sources and the old-fashioned antenna systems that some of us older members of society remember. I’ve been brainwashed and it will become more apparent if you continue to read this. Not having an iPad or an iPhone or any other modern means of receiving the wealth of knowledge available by those mobile devices, I am stuck in front of this old-fashioned screen that won’t fit into a carrying case and doesn’t receive e-mail or text.

The more I watch those sources of eternal wisdom that we call commercials, the more evident it becomes that peace, joy andhappiness lie in what we buy or where we go on vacation. Have you noticed that sober, frustrated people suddenly smile when they buy the right car or take the appropriate newly-developed pill? The type of mattress you sleep on must determine how well you sleep if you take the pill that produces butterflies in your room. No, I’m sorry, that is two separate products and maybe you don’t really have to do both at the same time - but I’m not sure. I know all this stuff is important to my happiness because the cable company keeps adding more and more commercial spots all the time and frequently they run the same ones twice in case a viewer missed it the first time.

Why are there so many unrealistic commercials for cars, trucks and vans?

Have you seen the earth heal a wide ravine because a truck is driving toward it?

Or how about the cars that do impossible things due to computer programs but you and I are cautioned not to try them? And, I’m really impressed by the clean van vs. dirty van spot where the clean van does a 180-degree turn sliding into a parking slot because it has theright brand of tires while apparently the dirty van is limited by its other inferior tire brand. These things just don’t happen in my life, commercials or not. And, I’m not convinced a particular drink is going to change depression into an instant smile regardless of what they imply on television.

Wasn’t it Oprah Winfrey that introduced us to the wonders of Dr. Phil?

We now have a wealth of medical and psychological information for the asking.

Really, I don’t watch any of the health programs and probably miss a great deal of emotional healing as a result. However, my experience has indicated it takes more than a brief spot on an hour-long program to achieve the kind of wonders they demonstrate. That is not to say one can’t benefit from these shows, it is just that I haven’t taken advantage of their “potential” like the media world would desire. I don’t watch Judge Judy or other court room drama - I can only take so much “reality.” And, the thing that tells me there are two many television channels is the proliferation of shows such as Buying Alaska, The Prospectors, Florida charter fishing boats, etc., etc., etc. The one about making moonshine whiskey deep in the hills of somewhere must have started out of sheer desperation.

Were they trying to expose the weakness in the AlcoholTobacco & Firearms or hoping they could initiate a new industry? And, one has to question the validity of the whole program.

If we wait long enough, we will all have an opportunity to be a “star” on a reality show. Whether it be a bag race at the local fair, or who can grow the biggest pumpkin, the television producers are looking for something to fill air time.

Even ESPN has some of the same “fill the air fever” and has resorted to quiz show type contests with would be celebrity athletes participating.

My quandary is knowing whether to blame the producers of the commercials that fail to provide any truth in advertising,or blame the Federal Communications Commission for allowing so many channels, or is the television station/cable company responsible, or are the sponsors of the show at fault?

My questions abound!

Luckily the remote not only changes channels, but turns the set completely off.

And DVDs provide a variety of alternatives to using the television.

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Editor’s note: Leo Lynch is an award-winning columnist. He is a native of Benton County has deep roots in northwest Arkansas. He is a retired industrial engineer and former Justice of the Peace. He can be contacted at [email protected].

Opinion, Pages 4 on 06/12/2013