Vapiano - Zurich
Piers Morgan - judge on "Britain's got Talent"
Let's talk telly.
With apologies to the younger readers, who admittedly I don't have many of since this blog doesn't use text language, I briefly need to go back to the previous century, if only as an intro.
In the eighties, the political satirical sitcom "Yes, minister" and its sequel "Yes, Prime Minister" became some of the best rated series ever. What was particularly interesting was the role of upper mandarin Sir Humphrey Appleby, a superb performance by Nigel Hawthorne. Sir Humphrey demonstrated what many people already knew: it's the civil service that runs the country, not the ministers, in spite of their sometimes well meant efforts. With the help of inter-departmental enquiries, sub-committees and other delaying tactics, Sir Humphrey made absolutely sure that all new initiatives were not instantly killed, but rather slowly strangled. It was he, and not the prime-minister, who had the power.
All this was presented with hilarious humour and superb dialogue which we all enjoyed. But one thing Sir Humphrey said stuck in my mind: "government is not about democracy, it's about stability."
Sadly, I think he had a point there.
In the nineties then, Britain's most famous prime minister was a fictional character called Francis Urquhart, played by Ian Richardson in the series House of Cards, To Play the King and the Final Cut. The series scored moderately in the UK, but became hugely popular on the continent, to every one's surprise, not in the least that of it's makers. The self-made, de-facto dictator caused his own demise by going too far and killing one too many in his efforts to keep his absolute power.
Francis Urquhart launched some well known catchphrases too: "Nothing lasts forever", "People like a strong leader, someone to put a stick about" and, perhaps most famous of all: "You might think that... I couldn't possibly comment." He always winked when he said that:)
Again, the entire thing concentrated on power and it's glorification.
Speaking of Absolute Power, the more recent series with the same name featuring Stephen Fry and John Bird as the spin doctors Charles Prentiss and Martin McCabe were top of the bill in terms of modern PR combined with reality views on politics. The title was derived from the quote: "power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely". The PR agency Prentiss McCabe worked mainly, though not exclusively, for the UK government.
There was absolutely nothing nice about Charles Prentiss. An arrogant, autocratic bastard of the first water, who's success in his job was only surpassed by the regime of utter rudeness he exercised towards his staff. When, in the series, he was being asked whether he watches "Spooks", Charles Prentiss responded: "Television is not for watching, it's for being on!" Arrogance at large.
Have you discovered the common denominator? Correct. Abuse of power, if played by talented actors, can be turned into a huge commercial success. Rudeness will be ratified, arrogance applauded.
And not much has changed. Just the programs that are getting even more mainstream.
For instead of having at least the intellectual ping-pong (or whiff-whaff as Boris Johnson calls it) as consolation for the more profound message in aforementioned series, we now have to make do with Celebrity Big Brother, the Apprentice and Britain's got talent. But the result is the same: everyone enjoys it most when Piers Morgan tells someone he's really crap and can he please get off the stage - thank you very much.
Let's talk numbers.
Numbers allow us to measure, both snapshots and trends. It's the latter here that become important.
In 1960 the American election that voted John F. Kennedy into the White House, around 60 Million Americans turned up. Thirty-odd years later, when George Bush was elected president, the number had increased with over 50% to 96 Million. Given the increase in population eligible to vote, this is hardly an achievement. Currently the turnout rates are going down in almost any election.
But a show like American Idol gets in one season - wait for it! - 500 Million votes by telephone. And that's not a misprint!
Are people tired of our politicians? Can't imagine it. The real leaders are no worse than the BBC's fictional crooks. Tony Blair's weapons of mass deception story plunged the country into a war, Berlusconi continues to screw the country (literally, as it would appear) and Gordon's Boys are helping themselves to a bit of expenses. No, on the power front it's all tickety boo.
So here's a thought. Organise the next election with a phone-in service. First have some candidates summarise their manifestos while Piers buzzes them off the moment he thinks it's bollocks. Then have the public call in. As an extra incentive, reverse the price of a call, and reward people for voting. Done with the queues for the polling stations, and up go the ITV ratings!
Because if one thing has become very clear, it's that sensation shows are very much alive, while the concept of responsible democracy is currently in a deep coma. And it doesn't look like it will revive any time soon.
Unless we get Simon Cowell to give it a makeover, of course.
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