Posts Tagged ‘Television’
|Stuck on “The Middle”
Wednesday, May 4th, 2011
April 7-14 there was only one network sitcom that made the Parent Television Council’s list of best picks: ABC’s family comedy “The Middle.”
pulse of the throbbing vein in every parent’s forehead. Tackling subjects from a grade-schooler’s
discovery of the Internet (their youngest is a bibliophile who searched for a book
with unexpected consequences) to the dilemma of an underage daughter
sneaking into an R-rated film, “The Middle” does something that other sitcoms
do not: it shows the reality of raising kids without demeaning dialogue, sexual
scenes, or caustic cynicism.
or desiring the products placed strategically by sponsors. There is clutter, chaos, and a nuclear family trying to keep from imploding. It’s a lot like home, except there is brand-name product placement in my
kitchen for which I should be compensated. One of my favorite episodes was the
season one Valentine’s Day show. It was an entertaining true-to-life depiction
of the difficulties of celebrating a romantic holiday in the middle of the
challenges of parenting.
portrays parents as partners in parenting despite differences and
disagreements. Patricia Heaton and Neil
Flynn play Frankie and Mike Heck, middle class parents of three children. Both
actors have had successful sitcom careers (on Everybody Loves Raymond and Scrubs,
respectively) yet each explores new territory with these characters. They
portray a truth, transparency, and unity rarely depicted on sitcoms. Unlike the family on the Cosby show, where
the father was a medical doctor and the family was affluent, the Heck family
struggles with issues to which a majority of Americans can currently
relate—financial struggles, budgeting woes, and job loss. And if that wasn’t enough to deal with, they
still have to raise three kids—Axl, Sue, and Brick— who each have their own issues.
real-life fiascos, well-intentioned parents, and kids with three different
personalities amid the challenges of work,
technology, and peer pressure (for parents and teens). This is a show that families can watch
together. Parents can engage their children about the pressing topics depicted
like texting, inappropriate movie content, and bullying. “The Middle” is a win-win for families in a
television world where families are usually the biggest losers.
prime-time offerings is that the parents and kids are not the brunt of the
jokes; life is, with all its myriad complications and conflicts. In one episode
Frankie was torn between attending two simultaneous sporting events: a
cross-country meet (where her daughter got lost on the trail) and her son’s
football game, where she would have the rare opportunity to escort him onto the
field. Did she make it?
which sitcom viewers have become trained. In fact, it’s a lot like real life. As
we root the characters on to the finish, they often fail, fall short, or are disappointed
in ways to which we can all relate. The
message of the episodes, and of the series, is one of hope, encouragement, forgiveness,
perseverance, and family love. It’s a message worth hearing week after week as
we write our own sitcoms at home. As
parents, it’s nice to know we’re not the only ones struggling. ABC’s “The
Middle” reminds us that parenting is one Heck of a ride.
nationally award-winning humor columnist, former television producer, journalist, and speaker
who is passionate about helping parents navigate the issues of
media and technology. To contact Lynn about speaking to your group, email her at LynnRebuck@gmail.com. For more information about Lynn and to
read her blog, go to www.LynnRebuck.com . © 2011 Lynn Rebuck< ?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = “urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office” />
Tags: ABC, Axl, Entertainment, families, family, Neil Flynn, parenting, Patricia Heaton, reviews, sitcom, Television, The Middle
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Sad State of TV Sitcoms© 2011 Lynn Rebuck
Monday, April 25th, 2011
This past Saturday I had the privilege of addressing a group of parents at a church about youth, media, and technology. As a former television producer, media researcher, and mother of three, it is a subject about which I am very passionate. Some would call me rabid. Those would be my children.
Not only did I address pressing issues about social media, cell phones, safeguarding families, and music (don’t even get me started on Lady Gaga), but I talked about television. Frankly, there are things that TV producers don’t want you to know.
Consider this statistic: according to a 2005 study, an overwhelming majority of television shows contain sexual references, and situation comedies appear at the top of the list with 87 percent containing sexual content. The sitcoms show scenes of sexual content at an average rate of almost 9 scenes per hour. That was six years ago; the trend has only worsened, IMHO (that’s text-speak for “In My Humble Opinion” for those parents who have yet to attend one of my seminars).
Clearly, what’s happening to sitcoms isn’t funny.
The terrain of television is vastly different than years ago. We have gone from one deserted island (Gilligan’s)to another (Lost). Ozzie and Harriet were replaced by Ozzie and Sharon. Television is now about “Leave it to Cleavage.” What would June and Ward think?
In all honesty maybe we should reframe how we look at the above statistic and at television in general. Perhaps researchers should state how many of the sex shows on television contain humorous references. It’s time we wake up to what is really happening right in front of us, in living color, and in many homes, on very large screens . Things that were considered pornographic not long ago make up the mainstay of broadcast television and commercials. The CBS eye is looking the other way and the NBC peacock is burying its head in the sand.
The Parent Television Council is an organization that cares about what kids are seeing on television. They evaluate shows for content including sex and violence. The PTC provides a color-coded, easy-to-read weekly guide to television shows that evaluates shows based on content. For the week of April 7-14, there was only one network sitcom that made their list of “best picks” for family viewing: ABC’s “The Middle.”
While the scarcity of family-friendly fare came as no surprise, the fact that there is only one network program deemed worthy of watching should be a point of shame for television producers and network executives.
I have been a fan of “The Middle” since last year, when it began its first season. The show airs on Wednesday evenings at 8 p.m. on ABC. It appeals to my warped sense of parental humor which you likely share if you enjoy reading my column. It’s real life, and it’s funny. Check it out and let me know what you think. I’ll share my thoughts on the show next week.
Lynn Rebuck is a nationally award-winning former television producer, journalist, and speaker who is passionate about helping parents navigate the issues of media and technology with their teens and tweens. To contact Lynn about speaking to your church or community group about these or other issues, email her at LynnRebuck@gmail.com. For more information about Lynn and to read her blog, go to www.LynnRebuck.com. © 2011 Lynn Rebuck
Tags: ABC, Entertainment, media, motherhood, NBC, Neil Flynn, parenting, Patricia Heaton, sex, sitcoms, teens, Television, The Middle
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Slow News Day© 2011 Lynn Rebuck
Wednesday, April 6th, 2011
As a journalist I have been both appalled and amused by the deterioration of network news broadcasts. I was raised in an era when network anchormen were among the most respected individuals in the nation.
Walter Cronkite was an icon, a trusted figure whose words had merit and whose reputation was respected. His nightly broadcast featured the news that the nation needed to know. With ever-increasing technological advances network news broadcasts have devolved into something barely recognizable as news programming. They have morphed into high-tech displays of infotainment, a “TMZ Nightly News” if you will.
News directors have replaced the reasonableness of a Harry Reasoner with the wizardry of Harry Potter. The news is now about eye-catching graphics, life-sized touch screens, and a panel of purported Dumbledores. Given the success of the Twilight books and movies, I imagine it is only a matter of time before a vampire anchors a news desk.
Not long ago I stared in startled disbelief at my television screen as NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams announced to the nation in a somber tone news not of a revolt or of a riot but of a corporate logo change by Starbucks. Perhaps he did this to prevent a revolt or riot. We would not want to awaken to a world where sleepy caffeine-deprived Starbuckians are unable to locate the chain on every corner.
I next witnessed CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric (more…)
Tags: ABC World News, anchor, Brian Williams, CBS Evening News, Census, Comedy Central, Cronkite, Diane Sawyer, Harry Potter, Jon Stewart, Journalism, Katie Couric, Modern Family, NBC Nightly News, News, social media, Television, The Daily Show, Twilight
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Toots or Consequences © 2010 Lynn Rebuck
Wednesday, June 30th, 2010
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If you’ve watched any of the World Cup soccer matches over the past few weeks, you are no doubt aware of the sound of the vuvuzela, a loud, droning South African horn played simultaneously by thousands of fans to the dismay of millions of worldwide television viewers who simultaneously search for the mute button on the remote.
It’s the first time that a sporting event has been known to cause side effects. Caution: Watching World Cup soccer may cause ringing in the ears. The good news is that (more…)
Tags: Argentina, Bob Costas, fans, humor, Lady Gaga, Mexico, soccer, Sports, Television, vuvuzela, World Cup
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And the Lost Shall Be First©2010 Lynn Rebuck
Monday, May 24th, 2010
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The first episode of “Lost” that I watched was, ironically, the last episode. I admit that I am a bit behind on my serial television viewing. Frankly, I still don’t know who shot J.R.
I’m not keen on making long-term commitments right now (I can’t even agree to making a 3-minute egg) so I avoid watching shows that will likely suck me into their weekly time-slotted world. When I learned that “Lost” was coming to an end, I figured it was safe to watch the final episode.
I am not sure how the whole “Lost” phenomenon escaped me, but in a way, I’m glad it did. After the series ended Sunday night with a 2 ½ hour finale seen by an estimated 13.5 million viewers, my friends who were avid fans began posting comments on Facebook suggesting they might actually regret sacrificing six years of their lives only to be stranded, in the end, by the show’s producers.
Apparently the final episode left behind many unanswered questions.
Tags: ABC, Entertainment, Final Episode, funny, humor, Lost, Parody, Television
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Why I Want to Be the First Woman on the Moon © 2010 Lynn Rebuck
Wednesday, April 21st, 2010
Neil Armstrong isn’t happy.
You may remember Armstrong as the first astronaut to land on the moon, not to be confused with Buzz Aldrin, the first astronaut to land on “Dancing with the Stars.”
Armstrong is reportedly unhappy with President Obama’s flight plan for NASA, our national body that administers the exploration of heavenly bodies.
Last week, while many of us were sending off checks with our IRS 1040 Forms to fund government exploration of space, President Obama held a press conference at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida regarding the future of the space program.
In an open letter reportedly obtained by major news outlets and signed by Armstrong and two other Apollo astronauts, James Lovell and Gene Cernan, Obama’s plan is (more…)
Tags: Aldrin, Apollo, Armstrong, funny, humor, Kennedy, NASA, News, Obama, Orbitz, politics, Project Runway, Space, Television, Toyota, Travel, Travelocity
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Motherhood is a Dirty Job!©2010 Lynn Rebuck
Wednesday, March 17th, 2010
Last week in my column I challenged Discovery Channel’s “Dirty Jobs” host Mike Rowe to tackle the dirty job of being a mother (see “Dirty Jobs, Ha!” below). I haven’t heard back from him yet, but I have been checking out some of his episode descriptions on the “Dirty Jobs” Discovery Channel website and let me tell you, so far I’m not impressed. His jobs don’t seem all that tough, or dirty.
For instance: “Mike ventures out to discover what it takes to breed and train sled dogs at the Happy Trails Kennels in Big Lake, Alaska.” Wow, Mike, “ruff” job? Try this.
“Lynn tries to potty-train a puppy and a toddler at the same time, only to discover she set the child out front and re-Pampered the puppy.”
Or consider another (more…)
Tags: Children, Column, Dirty Job, Discovery Channel, funny, humor, Job, Kids, Mike Rowe, Mom, motherhood, parenting, Television
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