Posted on 10/01/2007 2:02:48 PM PDT by presidio9
After all the editorial cartoons knocking Dick Cheney, after Jon Stewart's riffs and the Letterman/Leno jokes, it still comes as a surprise when a primetime comedy aims a personal barb at a sitting member of the executive branch of government.
Once Cheney becomes fair game on a mainstream hit like ABC's "Ugly Betty," you know he, as a symbol of this administration, is reviled by most Americans.
These days you don't have to watch "Meet the Press" to get a stinging critique of the war, President Bush or the GOP in general. Jabs at the Republican establishment and Bush administration policy are popping up on primetime TV entertainment shows too.
When "Ugly Betty" launched its new season Thursday, a persistent theme of the amplified, soapy dramedy was the devilish nature of the scheming Wilhemina Slater, played by Vanessa Williams. The plotting, would-be publisher was depicted as hellish, the very embodiment of evil, complete with literal fire and brimstone accouterments. Capping the over-the-top display of Wilhemina's satanic ways, the camera panned a photo, conspicuously displayed in her office: her hero, Cheney.
Who else would the devil worship as a role model?
That visual reference, written in the script and delivered with relish by the set designers, was conceived by writers and executive producers Silvio Horta and Marco Pennette.
It's far from the first blatant Cheney joke on a primetime show, but it's still a jolt.
Granted, Stewart and "The Daily Show" got there early with the sight gag of Cheney as Darth Vader. But "Ugly Betty" is more center-stage.
Similarly, a one-liner in Thursday's pilot of "Big Shots," the ABC hour that emulates "Sex and the City" for men, mocks the veep: "The woman brooks no dissent. It's like being married to Dick Cheney."
By the time Cheney shows up as a punch line - either as the ultimate immovable object or as the face of evil - on the broad-appeal, diligently inoffensive, mainstream TV networks, the polls are closed. There will be no redemption for this vice president. The sitcom gods have spoken.
Tonight, ABC's "Brothers & Sisters" (at 9 on KMGH-Channel 7) begins the season with concern about youngest sibling Justin, who is serving in Iraq. The family, particularly his mother (played by Sally Field), is anxious because there has been no word of Justin's unit for weeks. The producers have said the Walker son will return home "physically compromised" after sustaining war injuries.
The episode is a fitting follow-up to the anti-war comments spoken by Field (and bleeped by Fox) on the Emmy Awards telecast two weeks ago. The character is free to say in a fictional drama what the actress couldn't on live TV.
Serious documentaries, news reports and specials like James Gandolfini's "Alive Day Memories" have tried to bring the war home. Ironically, that may be best accomplished on a sudsy family drama. Certainly the emotional attachment to the character is already in place.
"South Park" relishes knocking the administration. ("Omigod Dick Cheney shot Kenny!"). But animated and late-night shows are one thing, while poignant network comedies and dramas are another.
To some, "Ugly Betty's" injection of a political dig in an unrelated scene may have read like an indulgence on the part of the writers - to others it was a welcome one.
In the case of "Brothers & Sisters," the viewpoint on the war is seamlessly woven into the fabric of the drama, where the characters regularly talk politics. The storyline portends more discussion to come.
A cultural shift has occurred. The fantasy-makers in Hollywood know public opinion is with them. They won't lose advertisers or viewers by knocking an unpopular vice president. The writers have plenty to say about the real world. And politics can't help intruding on entertainment.
Sometimes TV invites us to sift metaphors for clues to where the culture is headed (do young male slackers in big-box stores on "Chuck" and "Reaper" reflect America's mondo retail habit or the vanishing middle class?) On other occasions, TV unapologetically shoves images in our faces, knowing the country is in on the joke, albeit with uneasy laughter.
Ultimate sin :-)
I loved him before. But it’s funny how...the more the rabid lefties seeth with hatred for Cheney and show it...the more I tend to like and approve of him....hehe. Too bad we can’t elect Cheney for President, eh?
Hollywood.....totally clueless.
Well that does it, I’m not watching Ugly Betty.. Wait a minute I never watched that show..
Jealousy, envy... A great example can be found in the book, "Atlas Shrugged." The "Cheney character" would be Hank Reardon.
Mark
My scenario would be to see the VP 50 yards up stream fly-fishing in Wyoming, enjoying himself.
btt
I’ve never seen Ugly Betty, and after watching two episodes of Brothers and Sisters never bothered with it again.
Surprised if there is going to be a ‘catalogue’ of television shows smearing the Administration ER was overlooked.
I doubt there has been a more consistent ‘bash America’ show in prime time in television history, excluding talk shows.
A man’s strength is know by his enemies.
I know he’s doing right when the ‘leftists’ in this country go into an appopleptic fit!
I, too , wish he would run. May we be blessed with another ‘bulldog’ to support our CIC in 2008!
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