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Tuesday, June 29, 2010

New Show Has Me Up In Arms

I'm VERY troubled by one of the new summer shows on ABC. Maybe you've seen the commercials or even the program - called Downfall. It takes place on top of a tall building. Contestants are asked questions and they have to hurry to answer them correctly while a conveyor belt full of expensive prizes is being dropped off the side of the building. The promos show a car, a plasma TV, a gas grill and such exploding into tiny pieces as they hit the pavement below.

It's a little difficult to see what's going on in these pictures but this last one you can see the grill in the bottom right corner and something else in the bottom left. Anyway, I'm very troubled by this new show. I understand ABC has purchased or even received these items as a promotion from the companies that sell them. Either way, it is theirs to do with as they please. I get it.
But it makes my stomach turn and leaves me feeling sick. Are we really the kind of people who destroy expensive merchandise for laughs on a game show? In the land of the rich I'm sure it seems like no big deal, but from where I stand it feels so very wrong. And during a time when so many people are struggling...poor timing on the part of ABC.
Perhaps my reaction to this is so strong because it feels like an unashamed blatant display of our culture's greed/materialism and subsequent devaluing, disrespect and lack of care for humanity. Ultimately, this is what is really making me sad. Closets full of clothes that still have their tags on. Thousands of people waiting in line all day in the summer heat for the high privilege of spending $300 on the new iPhone and tossing the year-old $300 iPhone out. Cheap crap made overseas for pennies by someone earning pennies and sold for $69.99 so a handful of already rich executives can be richer. It makes me sad because it doesn't have to be this way.
Boy, this really took an unexpected turn.
Have you guys seen the show or the promos? What is your reaction?

3 comments:

  1. I agree with you. It's a sad reflection on our society's materialism.

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  2. Never seen it never want to! I think your reactions might be those of a well adjusted sane person Migrainista!!!!

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  3. I'm relieved to know others feel that way too. :) Thanks Diana and Joy!

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