« A New Day Has Come | Main | Joy to the world »
March 23, 2006
22 Minutes
Editor’s note: I am filling in for TJ while he is at an undisclosed location without Dick Cheney. Full Disclosure: I am a terrible editor and speller.
Have you ever wondered why it is a TV sitcom decides to tackle a tough issue? You know those episodes when they begin with the jokes but set up the fall near the mid point of the episode. The laugh track is silenced and in an instant it comes to a head. Strange how those issues of reality intrude on our 22 minutes of “must see TV.”
There was a time when I felt my life was like a sitcom it wrapped up nicely every day with very little drama. Inevitably like clock work it unfolded again each week as the next set of adventures presented itself. It even aired repeats. The cast was always our core group of friends and it centered on the friendships we shared. It was comfortable and familiar. It often felt like a gathering at the Central Perk or a night at the Regal Beagle. Admittedly there were even times when it felt like club Babylon. (Have you been to Pittsburg talk about fiction?)
Lately, life feels more like a bad after school special. Though I hope I dress better than any of those 80’s characters. This is not to say that the laugh track has been silenced. There have been many humorous times throughout the plot and genuine acts of compassion for which I am grateful.
I have to say though that I have never longed more for a commercial than I do now. I want to mindlessly channel surf, and eat popcorn. I enjoy sitcoms because they are so predictable and familiar. I wish life where like that. I guess like all things even a sitcom has a life span. Something always replaces them or a spin off is developed (I will not mention Joey as it sucks). I am hopeful it is time for a new script.
Posted by durban bud at March 23, 2006 08:37 AM
Comments
Remember Rob, that a lot of times, in those sitcoms, even the ones that tackled the tough issues, there were some two-part cliff hanger episodes. You know, like when The Fonz jumped over all those barrels in Arnold's parking lot and we didn't find out what happened until the next week. Funny thing is, all of those times, everything turned out just fine. You're just in the middle of your cliff hanger episode right now, but things will work out. The laugh track will come back in the next episode. We're all waiting with you. Take care.
Posted by: Bubala at March 26, 2006 10:20 AM
i'm sitting here in my office reading this, and thinking.....I dare anyone to come in and interupt me.
This is my favorite writing so far (rob, you did great).
You're on my mind allot these days....I wonder where you were sitting when you wrote this......I wonder are they feeding him well.....does he need a hug....or just someone to sit with him and let him feel....if i were next to you right now i would try my best to just let you feel.....but knowing you, I'd be sitting real close.
I don't know how you are right now......and i'm not gonna writie something that's gonna put a cute little bow around how you feel....let it out....let the script unravel....
Here's a little quote i love.....
i beg you...to have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves as if they were locked rooms or books written in a very foreign language. don't search for the answers, which could not be given you now, because you would not be able to live them. and the point is, to live everything. live the questions now. perhaps then, someday far in the future, you will gradually, without ever noticing it, live your way into the answer....
love you.....pumping
Posted by: pam at March 27, 2006 10:04 AM
Hi from the trade show floor in Chi-town.
I like the Regal Beagle the best - you have a big commercial due - maybe one about Barbados or someplace warm and sunny.
LU! - TOS
Posted by: TOS at March 27, 2006 03:07 PM
Great job writing. I can feel where you are coming from and partially understand what it must be like to be in your shoes. Like everything about life, your perspective is unique to your experience. I know I know I will never fully understand unless I end up going through the same ordeal myself. But we are not viewers who are watching, we are people who care and love you and TJ very much.
Posted by: Donn at March 27, 2006 04:35 PM
Rob - You guys have been in my thoughts MUCHO. Please know that I'm thinking about y'all and that I care. Keep that great smile on your face - there is and will be happiness and joy at the end of the tunnel! :-)
Posted by: Guy at April 3, 2006 04:56 PM