Deal or No Deal: Greed, Banality, and the Further Decline of Western Culture
I saw an episode of the NBC game show Deal or No Deal tonight. Holy Crap, man!
I thought I had seen it all. I thought that no mere prime-time tv game show could kindle the kind of feelings in my heart and my head right now. I thought that I could not be moved. I expected to pass the time feeling empty and valueless, not frustrated, furious, flames... on the sides of my face!
...but I digress.
So: I was watching this spent remains left crusting on the bedside tissue of some brainless marketing drone, when I was struck by a thought, an idea, a realization, an epiphany, a divine message microwaved directly to my cerebral cortex. Actually, it was a series of images and concepts (much like those constantly churning around in my head) that locked together like the teeth of an unlubricated differential in fifth gear. They were:
- This show requires absolutely nothing of the contestants.
- This show induces severe emotional stress in its contestants.
- This show claims to offer the opportunity to initiate major positive change in the contestant's life, without any effort applied on the contestant's part.
- This show equates money with happiness.
- This show's premise is so moronic, that it requires 26 sexy women in skimpy clothes in order to distract the viewer.
- This show objectifies women (see previous.)
- Finally, the one that locked all the other thoughts together: This show is insanely popular, occupies a prime time slot on a major television network, and is watched by millions of people in this country and overseas.
Look at this show in further detail, consider its popularity, and you can use this as a poignant illustration of the further downward spiral of our society. Then, consider that entertainment media is one of the primary exports of this country, and exemplifies Western culture in some parts of the world. Consider that, and realize, perhaps, why Americans carry the reputation that we do overseas.
So the show's premise is this: There are 26 briefcases randomly containing amounts of money from one cent to one million dollars. The contestant selects a briefcase, but does not open it. The contestant then opens several briefcase, eliminating possible their values from pool of prize money that his briefcase potentially holds. After several eliminations, a "banker" offers to buy the contestant out of the game for a certain amount based on the potential values in play. If the contestant agrees to the deal, then he leaves with the scratch. If he says "no deal" then he must select other briefcases to open, thus elimitating other items on the board and causing the "banker" to revise his offer. Offers are increased or decreaced as options are eliminated, based on the probability of a high value in the contestant's case. The game continues until either the contestant accepts an offer or opens all the cases, at which point he keeps the value contained in his case.
<0br> Oh, and there are models. 26 of them. Each holding a briefcase. 26 Vanna White wanabees waiting for their turn to seductively stroke a briefcase.
Remember, friends, that this show is incredibly popular, and nothing nothing goes unplanned and unscripted for shows like this. The show's host, Mephistopholes in the form of Howie Mandel, shaved bald with a soul patch, begins the show with promises to the contestant of "this can change your life! This can give you a better life!"
Those lines are scripted -- they are spoken as the Word from the corporate masters on high and delivered via Howie Mandel to the eyes, ears, and heart of the watching consumers: "Money is happiness! Money will make your life better! Our sponsors shall provide if thou art worthy. Consume!"
The game is mostly chance. The contestants are not required to do anything more than randomly select a briefcase and occasionally answer a boolean question. There is no skill involved, and neither the contestants nor the audience are required to think. Hell, even the probabilities are calculated for you. Imagine, if you will, a graphic flying across the screen "1 in 4 -- 25% chance for $750,000." As if the viewing audience couldn't figure that out!
The game seems to reenforce an entitlement mentality. The contestants are rewarded simply for showing up and guessing !
Now lets talk about the women on this show:
26 B-list "models" (who seem to be on vacation from their porn and beer commercial careers) whose sole collective purpose is to look sexy and hold a briefcase. They are trotted out like cattle at the beginning of each show, forced to stand and pose until called on, and then are talked down to by the host. His condecending attitude towards them, and his apparent irritation when one of them speaks up, makes me feel embarassed on their behalf. Ladies, if this is where decades of fighing for sufferage and then equality has led us, you might as well put on the apron and get back in the kitchen, June , 'cause it ain't working.
...and on top of all of this:
During the commercial breaks we, the viewers, are innundated with credit card and financial adverts. "Buy! Borrow! Get this car, this mortgage, this line of credit. This is what you need to be happy! Consume, and indebt thyself to the corporate machine! Work, eat, watch, consume!"
Folks, we are dying here. The lender's society, the credit society, the corporate society is winning. We need to stop, turn of the tube, take a deep breath, read a book, think for ourselves, and turn this boat around before we get too much further out into the depths.
You have been warned.
Think. Refuse. Rebel.
