With word getting out that
the end of the television writers' strike is imminent it was the perfect time for me to realize that the strike is really the best thing that has happened to me in a while. Well, except for my girlfriend and my job and my family and my friends and all that stuff. After all
that, this strike has been pretty great to me. And, now it's just about over.
Although, for once I can say that I actually realized how good something was just before it was gone. That's probably better than realizing it after it's gone. I think. Anyway, my enjoyment of the strike became clear while sitting down for a few minutes of
American Gladiators last night. In case you aren't totally aware, this show is terrible. Since almost as much ink has been spilled lamenting this fact as silicone has been used trying to feminize the female gladiator-esses, I won't belabor this point any further than to simply reiterate that this show is terrible. Just terrible. And I wanted to like it. I really did. But how can you?
I am indebted to the program nonetheless, though, as it was one of Wolf's catcalls that triggered my "I Love the Strike" epiphany. Wolf, in case you don't already know and loathe him, is the Gladiator composed of two parts
White Goodman from Dodgeball, one part professional wrestler and three parts gay-biker-pinup. Not that there's anything wrong with that. He actually makes the weird, slick-backed and puffed Staten Island residing contestants seem almost like normal people. Almost.
But I digress, the writers' strike was a great thing (for me as a viewer) because it weened me off the plug-in drug that is TV and showed me that reality television is nothing but broadcast methadone. The strike has also made clear the differences between those people who will watch, and take seriously, just about anything that is put on the airwaves during primetime and those who won't. Those who are addicted to that sweet network nectar have blindly accepted such gems as Steroid Obstacle Course (the aforementioned
Gladiator), Pick a Hand (
Deal or No Deal) and
Do I Have More STDs Than a 5th Grader (this might have actually been the name of that show...) while the rest of us have been forced, or rather allowed, to do something else with our weeknights. It has been a revelation.
Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not against television. I can get as absorbed in the cougar-trap related misadventures of Kim Bauer as the next guy but there are really only a handful of shows (
The Office and
30 Rock among them) that I WANT to watch with any regularity (not counting re-runs of
The Simpsons and
Seinfeld which I do watch daily). For me, and I would guess for many, most of the television that I watch is television that I watched just because it was on in my living room. I've had dog-years stolen by
My Name is Earl. Damn you Jason Lee!
Without situation comedies clogging the airwaves and sucking me or any of my housemates in, I've become much more selective about what I view and I've discovered that each night is full of competitive and compelling sporting events. In the past week (or so) I've had the privilege to catch these exciting games:
Indiana vs. Illinois: The background was super-frosh Eric Gordon's belated arrival on the campus of Illinois. He had originally comittted to Illinois before deciding to stay in his homestate for his one-year collegiate career. The foreground was a taught game in as lively an atmosphere as you're ever going to get from a studio audience. The Hoosiers stormed back from a double-digit second half deficit to win by 4 in overtime. Gordon had a phenomenal second half after being held in check, by the crowd, and the Illini, in the first half
Kansas State vs. Kansas: 1 undefeated team + 1 uber-talented one-and-done freshman + 1 one-sided "rivalry" = high drama and upseterrific television.
BC vs. BU Beanpot Semi-Final: Last Monday night featured a classic brawl between these two rival schools. Befitting the teams and the tourney, the game was decided in overtime.
Hornets vs. Suns: This double-OT thriller, headlined by Chris Paul and Steve Nash, is the best basketball game I've watched all year. Both PGs were out-of-this-world and the game ended on buzzer-beating jumper by Peja in the second OT.
Last night, was no different. Well, except for the
Gladiator interlude. But, after that I retired to another television to catch the Finals of the annual Beanpot tournament, pitting Boston College against Harvard. By the time the zamboni hit the ice after OT there had been 11 goals.
Once, the Eagles locked up that game over on NESN I headed back downstairs to join the last few momets of Kansas vs. Texas on ESPN. Kansas had the ball down by three with plenty of time left when I checked in. Of course, the Jayhawks went for the three-point shot rather than a quick two, though. Rush missed from the corner and the game spiraled from there. Another upset in conference play that really can't be considered too much of a surprise, just like Maryland over anyone in the ACC.
Further down the dial from the postgame coverage out of Austin was NBA TV and the beard-off between Baron Davis of the Warriors and DeShawn Stevenson of the Wizards. The game was out of hand early on with Washington jumping out by tens and dozens of points but the facial hair competition was heated throughout. Baron's beard is clearly more mature and distinguished while Stevenson's beard is clearly more aggressive and tenacious. It's hungry.
With my sporting-fill for one night I figured it was safe to head to bed, but within the time it takes to brush one's teeth Stephen Jackson had pulled the Warriors, by the hairs on Baron's chinny-chin-chin, right back into the game. And, they miraculously win going away! Now, that is a night of television. I don't care what NBC or ABC or QVC is going to roll-out, there is nothing that will stack up against this night hour-for-hour.
So, to sum up, last night gave me two electric basketball games and one overtime hockey thriller. And, though these games are ones that I would have been interested in pre-strike I doubt that I would have caught most of them. I woud likely have gotten home from work, forgotten that they were on and been absorbed by whatever "was on." I could have ended up watching
House instead of the Beanpot. Can you imagine, missing that great game because some loopy patient forced House to make the toughest decision of his career?
However, with nothing "on" I have become more attuned to all the things I had been missing. All the things that had really been going on all along. So, in a way, I (and, maybe, you) have become like some sports-watching doppelganger for the superhero Daredevil, who after being blinded as youngster develops his other senses en route to a career as a famous crime-fighter. For me, the writers' strike is like the childhood accident and my awareness of all the great sports on television is like his ability to battle villians. The similarities are uncanny.
For example, tonight I know that I can watch Denver play Miami or Atlanta play Detroit, I can check out a Big Ten tilt between Michigan State and Purdue, or the SEC meeting between Kentucky and Vandy. Or, maybe, I'll see what games from this weekend are being replayed on FoxSoccer Channel. It would nice if the Arsenal/Blackburn game was on. If not, I can see what comes in the mail from Netflix. Hopefully,
We Own the Night and
Once, will be in the mailbox when I get home. One of those may be for Valentine's Day and the other may not.
Either way, I look forward to enjoying another night of choice and live-action before the sitcoms, dramedies and procedural cop shows take over again. I look forward to at least one more night of real, as opposed to "reality," drama and entertainment before the laugh tracks attack.
