Thursday, March 27, 2014

news poetry

I am home daily, watching daytime TV instead of writing for my life. There is much to complain about, but I won't embarrass myself by outlining the shortcomings of Kelly Rippa or Ozzie Osbourne's wife. Its the news that drives me mad. Here's a tiny example: "She was released from prison after 28 years and her family released its joy." Do they need an editor? Is the news so pressing it has to go out for wholesale consumption before anyone can reel it back in for a literary check? Or, conversely, is the news so bland that journalistic poetry might save it? Might keep consumers from seeking straight talk on the web? I'm just wondering.

The other menace is the barrage of  pre-news questions posed by newscasters: "What did one family find in its closet that left claw marks on the front door? We'll let you know on our midnight newscast." Why do they do this? Do they really think their questions are so intriguing that we'll stay riveted to our 50" screens until the tell us it was a cat? Maybe they do. Maybe we will.

I feel better now.

5 comments:

nina said...

Anything to make you feel better.

Nonetheless, if you need a break, may I suggest Grand Design (from youtube)? It's a British show (the British are much more proper in their speech) about how people foolishly undertake visionary (meaning foolish) house construction projects and there are some 80 episodes. I've seen 73 and I'm very upset that I only have seven left.

someone said...

Thanks! I'll try anything....

greg|regan said...

Oh, then may I suggest 'Escape to River Cottage'? Also on youtube. Also British. I watched it at circa rounds 2 and 3 of chemo. Quite worth it!

Roy said...

Reminds me of the SNL skit with Will Ferrell as the newscaster who says, (screams) "There is something in your kitchen cabinet RIGHT NOW, that could KILL YOU!! Details at eleven."

Anyway, I think the bad writing is a result of the attempts to make three minutes of news fill a half hour. Like Internet "content."

someone said...

Roy - perfect. I didn't see that movie. I just can't watch trainwrecks. But I love ELF.