Originally posted by DUB81N
I can't get my head around it either. I just want a few points about what it says about telling the truth and then I think I could work from there. I can't seem to get anything down on paper. Any suggestions?
Well, here's the basic rundown.
The show is a satire of the commercial current affairs program. Its main message is that while CA shows claim to provide an unbiased telling of the truth, this rarely happens. This can be due to a number of issues...among them:
- Relentless pursuit of ratings:- shows will go to extraordinary lengths for ratings. ie. in "the Siege" - the truth is compromised and people's lives are put into danger.
- Image vs. substance - shows will often distort the truth in a story to create 'sensationalism'. This also encompasses the idea of creating a story merely for its face value, with very little substance. eg "Smaller fish to fry".
- Money - Shows will go for stories which will earn them big bucks. eg. in one of the later episodes...can't remember which one exactly, they run a story on a charity organisation, after entering into an agreement not to, for money and ratings.
- Powerplay - often stories are misrepresented, distorted, or not even shown at all because of the 'powers that be', organisations and authoritarian figures who have control over what the show can put to air. eg. Mike's story (the only good idea he ever has) can't be shown in "Smaller Fish to Fry" because it's an expose on major bank fraud.
Just some random thoughts from my head. I hope that helps.
