She makes a point at the end that if she had her own show that she would put people on it who really have life problems and not worrying about whos the father and what not. She makes a joke that she would bring people on to discuss real problems and some what make fun of the people who make themselves look stupid on TV. I really don't think the name really goes with the essay she isnt really defending a talk show, she is really making fun of it.
Friday, September 26, 2008
"In Defense of Talk Shows" Barbara Ehrenreich
This was a very interesting essay. The way Ehrenreich described talk shows was right on target. I really dont think they are really needed on TV at all. People us them kinda to boost themselves up and realize wow there are people in this world who have it worse than I do. She describes these insane talk shows to be "disturbing and sometimes disgusting" I would have to agree with her on this. The purpose of these shows is to show the people who watch them the drama some people experience. I don't feel it is necessary for people to on TV just to talk about their problems like how they are cheating on the wife or how any partners they have had. Ehrenreich starts describing a scene that would most likely happen on one of these shows. The type of people that go on these shows are the ones who would do anything to get attention. They would do anything to feel like they are important for once when really the fact is that they are going no where in their life. They just wont admit it to themselves. So they go onto talk shows to "get help" from the psychologist that is suppose to help them figure out their problems. The author makes a funny point about the moral of a talk show "Respect yourself, listen to others, stop beating your wife." this is totally true about how the shows go on.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
I was okay on the essay until it got to the point about their views or what they’re talk show would have. I agree with you though, the title did not fit the essay. It slightly bothered me. She was defending the talk shows but the people who go on them. I rarely if ever watch talk show because they are pointless and the type of people that go on there… I do not feel sorry for them like she does. Their actions is what caused them to lower their selves to be put on shows that mock their situation. I disagree with her a lot in her essay and perhaps that’s why I don’t find it interesting or good
I agree with your response to this essay. I think talk shows are completely a pointless and they just draw people in who sit around at home all day. Granted, they are quite amusing when you are stuck in bed sick and bored out of your mind. Not only are the people on the shows making a fool of themselves, they are also stereotyping themselves. Aren't we trying to get away from that aspect as a society? If you feel the need you have to be on Dr. Phil or Jerry Springer and tell them, along with millions of viewers that you don't know who your baby's daddy is...there's something wrong there. Find some REAL help with a REAL psychologist.
I agree with your arguments fully. I do think people just watch talk shows to help themselves feel better about their lives by seeing that there are people out there having a harder life than them. I also agree with your closing statement, she doesn't seem to be defending talk shows very well, she seems to be cutting them down.
Post a Comment