October 15, 2002

The Game Show Administration

A BUZZFLASH READER COMMENTARY
by YT Cai

Dear BuzzFlash,

With all that has happened since this second Bush Administration took over the Executive Branch of our government, it is getting more difficult to make the distinction between what is real and what you might see created for television. Although the issues are quite serious, they are often reduced to a production that is on the equivalent of a game show.

In their own version of "Beat the Clock," Jeb Bush, Katherine Harris and the courts erected roadblocks and obstacles to prevent the votes in Florida from being counted during the 2000 presidential election. Each tick of the clock made it less likely that the top contestant would be able to win the grand prize. Just as it seemed that there would be a rightful winner, the judges ruled that the buzzer had gone off before the correct answer was revealed.

The next scheduled program was "Break the Bank." A massive give away for the already rich had no problem finding enough willing sponsors. The host enticed the audience to tune in by using visions of sharing in the show's rewards. Little did they realize that it all was a ruse. Not only wasn't there enough money available to honor the prize list, admission fees will be levied for generations to come. Once the show syndicates, the writers will guarantee that those at the top of the "1.6 Trillion Dollar Pyramid" forever get their share. The best part is that there are now insufficent funds to back any other show that might compete during the same time slot.

Third in the line-up is "Password." Celebrity guests gave the unwitting contestants a veritable roadmap of clues. Coming in fast and furious, the countless pieces to the puzzle were practically assembled before their very eyes. But for some reason "Concentration" was low this particular day, and inexplicably, the password just never got deciphered. Calls for an investigation into the mysteries surrounding this apparent fix have yet to be answered.

Ever since, all we've seen are re-runs of "Fear Factor." Try opening the piece of mail that is not laced with Anthrax. Do you dare take a sip of poisoned water? Are you ready to take the risk of getting on a doomed flight? Would you drive across a bridge rigged with explosives? How close would you chance nearing to an atomic mushroom cloud created by an Iraqi evildoer? Do you really want to spin that "Wheel of Fortune"? If the "Price was Right" would you willingly put your life in "Jeopardy"?

To me, it just sounds like a bunch of "Shenanigans," and we now have Soupy Sales hosting America.

YT Cai

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