Saturday, March 18, 2006
Fox Disconnect
Zenit interviews Fr Jonathan Morris on Hollywood's "disconnect" with Americans. I don't see what the fuss is about. Lots of other American industries operate on disconnect. American automakers have run themselves into the ground by ignoring what Americans want to drive. American fast food chains promote overeating and obesity. Cable conglomerates fear giving people channel choices. Major league baseball schedules all World Series games at night.
Morris says:
If we look at the list of movies which received the most Oscar nominations and their corresponding ranking in box-office ticket sales, it's evident that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences thinks differently than the average American about what movies are worth seeing.
Pardon me, but I don't get it. First, let me state for the record that I don't necessarily think the Oscars are the summit of the moviegoing experience. But let's look at these awards in context. The Yankees and the Cowboys aren't awarded championships because they are the most popular teams. Nobel prizes aren't awarded on the basis of lives saved, profits made, or popularity polls. Lots of fine books with small readerships are awarded Pulitzers, or other awards.
Hollywood listens to the cash register, believe me. The reason why Prince Caspian is being made for the big screen is not the message or the quality of the first film. It's because they know they can make money on it.
Zenit notes that Fr Morris "offers (Fox News Channel) ethical perspectives on current events."
I don't know the man. But I know his network. I've always found it amusing that Fox can attempt to trumpet values on one hand, but on the other build its empire on stretching the envelope of television permissibility.
