Maxine's Story ~ Television

Maxine's Story

Television

It could be humorous---or arrogance that would best describe any attempt of mine to write about the television programming of the early years---or for that matter, the choices we have today. I watched almost nothing through the 60's, the 70's, or the 80's. I became a very selective audience through the 90's, and continue to pick and choose carefully even today.

We came to television later than almost anyone else we knew---then for years I seriously considered cutting the connection. No, a fan I never was! It is only now that I am alone that I can see the value in that intrusive box with pictures!

Nolan Brown, a long time friend of our family, shared this story with me. In his youth---some 80 years ago, he lived in a small town, called Rigby, Idaho. There was a young man also in that town, who the children knew to be crazy! He claimed he could make a box that would show moving pictures! So they pelted his house with rocks when they passed by---laughing and ridiculing him! His name was Philo T. Farnsworth, and he is known today as the inventor of modern television!

I am not sure what Mr. Farnsworth had in mind for his invention but I'd be willing to wager it was not what I see today when I turn on "Sex in the City".

Well, the truth is, I've never turned on "Sex in the City". I'm afraid to! That is the subject that greets me with most every program I turn to---certainly the so-called sitcoms.

Occasionally I try something new---reasoning that this is a very popular award winning show---with great writers---producers---actors---a current

favorite!

It takes but a few minutes to figure out the plot---or the subject. It is the same as the plot and subject of the other shows I don't watch---with maybe even more words I don't use---or lifestyles that I don't wish to be introduced to. It isn't that I am prudish---well maybe I am prudish! Even so, television coming into the privacy of my home ought not to offend or embarrass me. And I have the 'off' switch to make sure it doesn't. But sometimes in the late evening hours, looking for something to entertain or amuse, I stumble upon a "Family Ties", or a Brady Bunch, or even "I Love Lucy", and I realize how far we've come.

Progress? I'm not sure it is. Oh we have the technological wonders---the sharper images and the cleaner colors---we go where no man has gone before---in more ways than one. We pick the satellite beam from outer space and receive the news of our world instantly. We watch history in the making---educate ourselves or view sports events close-up---the possibilities are endless.

It is probably unrealistic to wish for another Donna Reed, a Marion Cunningham, or a Florence Henderson.

Those good women, wearing their aprons over their pretty dresses, were in their kitchens making cookies when the children came home from school and there was time to talk---to analyze and to work out problems. In thirty minutes they arrived at a solution to the current dilemma---and happily piled into a station wagon to ride off for a fun family activity. Before returning home to all sit down to a home cooked family dinner. What happened on those shows may not have been the way it really was in real life, but I think it was the way we wanted it to be.

What happens in today's sitcoms is hopefully not the way it really is---I'm pretty sure it is NOT the way we want it to be.

Morality taught in the home, and in the church could be strengthened by the media---but seldom is. Without careful editing our children are subjected to information far beyond their maturity levels.

No, I didn't know Philo Farnsworth---but I like to think of him in our life to come. I would love to be there when he is introduced to those people who are responsible for television today. I am quite sure he will be impressed with most of the amazing things we take for granted. I also suspect that upon meeting the writers and producers of our current sitcoms and many of our movies, he would say like Ricky Ricardo: "(Lucy,) you have some 'splaining to do!"

The truth is, I've learned to enjoy having television in my home. It keeps me company through long winter evenings---the right programs help me to relax and forget the cares of the day. I have the agency and the responsibility to choose.

NOW WHERE IS THAT REMOTE CONTROL!

Pages 84 - 86

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