I sat in the dentist’s chair with my mouth propped open as a drill dug deep into my molar. As I anxiously prayed that the Novocaine wouldn’t suddenly stop working, the television on the wall was tuned to ABC and the bantering women of The View were discussing – vagina tightening.
Gulp.
As they talked back and forth amongst themselves, my eyes were alternating between my dentist and his female assistant in a curious fashion as if to ask, “Are you hearing what they’re talking about?” Now, you can click to view more about my teeth recovery right here. But lets talk about what happened in general in the clinic. After about 90 seconds passed and there were no more questions from the ladies like, “do they really need tightening?” I took a deep breath as they finally moved on to the next topic of the day.
Now, I’m no prude! I can drop the f-bomb like a pro and make a sailor blush if I have to, but that topic was enough to turn me a shade of crimson.
As the drilling continued and the blood started to withdraw from my cheeks, I starting thinking about how much television has changed over the years. 50 years ago the subject Barbara Walters seemed enthralled with would never be allowed to be discussed.
Networks employed “censors” to review scripts to ensure they were up to moral standards and didn’t include anything that someone would deem suggestive or patently offensive.
The 1970’s saw a major shift in television as shows like All in the Family, Three’s Company, Maude and The Jefferson’s pushed the limits as to what was acceptable and what wasn’t. There simply was no comparison that could be made between Mr. & Mrs. Cleaver and Mr. & Mrs. Bunker.
We’ve come a long way baby!
Television today is simple trash. Networks are trimming their expenses by producing “reality shows” that don’t involve in set creation, professional actors and big bills. Millions of viewers tune in to watch a bunch of bone-headed, boozed up kids on Jersey Shore while women (and god forbid, men) tune in to watch the “real” housewives of some urban city backstab each other while they enjoy their 20 minutes of fame.
I’ll admit that I don’t watch a whole lot of television anymore. If I do, I’m tuned into Discovery, History or watching a classic black and white flick on TCM.
I’m just happy that I don’t have to subject myself to The View or some of the other daytime television shows that often.
Or maybe I should.
Until today I never knew that needed tightening!