There's not much to watch on TV in the hotel I've been staying at these past two weeks. At least not in English. CNN is pretty much the only channel that I can get in a language I understand. I have therefore gotten more than my fair share of Larry King, Anderson Cooper, Wolfe Blitzer and all their cohorts providing endless commentary on the state of the world and the US Election at all hours of the day and night.
Don't get me wrong - I appreciated the coverage during election day and quite enjoyed watching all those states turn blue while nursing the nasty cold I was suffering from at the time. But since then, I have to tell you, there has been nothing but vaccuous, inconsequential, drivel with the same stories being covered over and over again. There's only so many people's perspectives on what Michelle Obama and Laura Bush might have discussed during the tour of the White House on Monday - particularly when none of the people providing the perspective were actually there and hence are merely only able to speculate at what might have been said. And I really have no interest in discussion of the autumnal hues they chose for the dresses they wore that day and what it might mean about the future of the world economy, bailing out badly run US car manufacturers or addressing the news that Iran has just tested a new long range missile.
I have concluded that 24 hour news channels - be they red, white or blue in their leaning - must be targeted at simpletons who need to be constantly reminded about what is going on in the world in order for them to understand it or, perhaps, be scared into doing what big brother wants you to do.
Either that or you're simply not expected to watch the channel for more than 30 minutes at a time lest you become obsessive.
Boy, am I glad to be going home today.
No comments:
Post a Comment