Hot List: TV’s Debt to Soldiers, Elmo’s New Home, ESPN in Flux
“What the hell is going on? I thought we were winning the war!” - Walter Cronkite
For most all Americans, Memorial Day is the opening whistle for Summer, an excuse for hitting blowout sales and BBQs.
And for a great many, it’s a time to reflect on soldiers who gave their lives on the battlefield — or as is the leading cause of death for active military and vets these days — suicide, which claims close to 20 people per day and thousands each year.
So, before we share the collection of fine TVREV Originals plumb with insights from Alan Wolk, Tim Hanlon, John Cassillo, some industry news from Jon Lafayette, and a variety of thought leaders on “What’s Possible”: some food for thought on TV’s debt of gratitude for the fallen heroes.
Imagine TV If We Lost
It’s hard to imagine that the young men who stormed the beaches of Normandy realized that the freedom they sacrificed for would include a vibrant TV industry.
Because they won, people in a Western world would very quickly gain an unprecedented, and somewhat honest window into the outside world from the convenience of a couch.
The boom after WWII wasn’t just babies, it was TV culture. Before 1947, only a few thousand American homes owned television sets. Just five years later, that number jumped to 12 million. By 1955, half of American homes had a TV set.
Since then, TVs captured and heavily influenced social norms. People have modeled their lives on everything from the Brady Bunch to Saved by the Bell to Friends, etc.
Citizens have watched foreign invasions and occupations, messy political campaigns and free elections and insurrections from the convenience of kitchen tables, bedrooms, bars and living rooms.
Because of those sacrifices and the golden age of technology that followed, visual storytelling could flourish.
Because of the brutal realities broadcast during Vietnam’s Television War, America’s appetite for conflict changed forever.
So as we pay tribute to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, imagine if they hadn’t done so in WWII. Imagine if the West lost to genocidal, fascist forces, what would have dominated the airwaves? And as a result, what would have become of TV and America itself?
Hang with TVREV IRL:
We’re programming the opening sessions at Stream TV in Denver June 11 - Our special TVREV event, The Future Of Streamonomics is free for registered attendees, but you do need to sign up.
Connect with us before Cannes to join conversation salons we’ll be hosting at the Majestic. (More news on that this week!)
We’ll be will be rolling out a third season of Explain it to a Teenager if you want to be covered or sponsor, let us know.
Finally, holler if you’re thinking about events and dinners this fall, we’ve got some exciting stuff planned and can help you.
“It’s a dog eat dog world out there, Sammy, and I’m wearing MilkBone underwear.”- Norm Peterson, Cheers (RIP George Wendt)
TVREV ORIGINALS
