As a baby boomer, I grew up with exactly 4 television stations-what is now equated to prehistoric times!
Little did writers realize what an impact they would make on our developing young minds, and I think we walked away with a whole lot better than discovering the egos of model wanna-bes and reality show back-stabbers. To this day, my awareness is broadened in areas I would never have visited on my own. Here are my favorite shows in terms of what they’ve imparted:
The Marines = ”Gomer Pyle, USMC” I never forget the chain of command as a result of this show, and the terms drill sergeant, maneuvers, sentry duty and weekend pass invoke very specific images! None of the other military shows even came close, except for M.A.S.H.
Alaska = “Northern Exposure” This may be the first and only show to present Native Alaskan culture and it did so wonderfully. (Now I know about the Shaman.)
Sr. Citizens = “The Golden Girls” The series held no interest for me when young, but now, I can disregard the unrealistic glamour and romantic lives of the leading ladies to see inherent wisdom. Older adults’ goals, hopes, and bonds are even more impassioned than those of youth, and getting past the double-entendres provides refreshing insight of the place where we will (hopefully) be someday.
Assorted Quirks = “Seinfeld” and “I Love Lucy” In my opinion, the best and funniest shows ever! From watching Lucy reruns as a young child, I learned that grapes were stomped and candy was wrapped by live people, and my first impressions of Hollywood and Europe were through Lucy’s slightly skewed views. Seinfeld did a great job to assure us that we are pretty much all on the same page concerning the minor, but very annoying, issues in our lives-like double dipping and being Master of our Domains!
I wish I could be so carefree about what my daughter is seeing on cable and the internet. It seems that today’s entertainment is a far cry from the past in opening up other worlds (well, except for “House”), so thank goodness the old stuff is still around!
by Karen Schwartz