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The decline and fall of junk TV
My editor, Tony Fins, questioned why I would draw a cartoon addressing Dancing With The Stars' new season lineup right in the middle of the Democratic National Convention. I responded that maybe our readers needed a day of relief in the middle of all the superheated politics. I know I did.
The other reason is that I heard people talking about it around the office. It's one of those silly little things that provide the glue that binds us together as a community, like Janet Jackson's wardrobe malfunction, or John Edwards' taste in floozies. It's part of the rhythm of the nation's day.
Besides, in an age when tuna cans are getting smaller and smaller, when a pound of coffee is now twelve ounces but sells for the same amount that a pound used to, what is the world coming to when our B-list celebrities are now D-listers? What happened to bang for the buck?
I fervently hope that an Obama or McCain Administration will make addressing this issue a priority.
CHAN LOWE
Comments
Gee, a rare cartoon when you're not slamming the Clintons. Amazing! Wonder if you can do two in a row...
Posted by: Yuran Idjit | August 26, 2008 9:33 PM
People in the news industry are as out of touch with the real world as the inhabitants of Hollywood and Capitol Hill. News flash: real people don't have time for garbage TV or talking heads at conventions.
In between bailing out our houses, waiting with our kids at school bus stops before dawn, pleading for loans to save our homes or fill our gas tanks - maybe we have a few minutes to vote.
So glad you have so much spare time on your hands that you can cartoon about junk TV. Lucky you.
Posted by: Shayna | August 27, 2008 12:43 AM
(this is to be read with tongue firmly planted in cheek).
Oooh, I can't resist. Must-write-something in response-to these two-previous 'genius' posts..aaagh!
IT"S A CARTOON! The man's a CARTOONIST! It's what he does FOR A LIVING!! That's how he finds the spare time!
I have much respect for what you do Chan. I realize you're restricted to a degree by your editors but only your form of news commentary really hits sensitivities and sparks debates.
As an artist myself, I can see why in the same week as the DNC you chose to do something on DWTS (wow, look at that, looks like DimWiTS, doesn't it?).
As Idjit above mentions, I too am glad you spared the Clintons. Poor people.
Loosen up people. If editorial cartoons are how you get your news I feel bad for you (not really).
Posted by: Oscar | August 27, 2008 9:32 AM
Hey, Shayna--
But "real people" have time to go
turn on their computers and
leave nasty messages on
hard-working people's blogs.
Interesting, don't you think?
Posted by: Georgia Price | August 27, 2008 1:24 PM
Hey Shayna. Lookie! I got a Stick Extractor 5000, so you can remove that big one from your rear.
Don't thank me now. I'll send the bill later.
Posted by: Haaaaaaaaave you met Ted? | August 28, 2008 2:12 AM