Monologue_______________
Historical soap operas not worth watching
By Shelley Ball
from two to six nights to see it all; yet
at the same time we’re not even given
Now that the term is winding down the true story behind the lives of the
and everybody is looking forward to historical figures they choose for mini­
summer and the end of classes, I see no series.
This week’s Newsweek seems to sum
point in writing an overly-serious
editorial. It’s not that there isn’t the situation up nicely with a story on
anything interesting to write about, but the subject, which touts the headline
rather I suspect most students haven’t “TV is hoking up biography with sex
the time or the concentration needed to and melodrama.” The article explains
how historical figures like Columbus,
read a serious one at this point.
The key to taking one’s mind off the and other recent mini-series subjects
pressure of term papers and final ex­ such as George Washington, Marco
ams lies in reading about a topic that Polo and Raoul Wallenberg were all
has no educational value whatsoever-- given ficticious love affairs for the sake
in other words, mindless drivel. And of entertainment. Likewise, facts are
what better topic fits this description deliberately distorted for a
than the rash of highly fictionalized melodramatic effect. Apparently, the
historical biographies appearing on melodrama was so heavy in
“Christopher' Columbus” that the
television this past year.
By the time this editorial appears in Newsweek article describes the TV
print one such example will have event as “a kind of ‘Falcon Crest’ in
finished airing, CBS’ six-hour mini­ pantaloons.”
Now that’s a sad description to what
series “Christopher Columbus.” It’s
bad enough the makers of this junk ex­ otherwise could have been an infor­
pect us viewers to stay tuned anywhere mative piece on the life of Columbus,
Editor In Chief
whose true-life story is interesting
enough without all the added hype.
Those of us who need to put our brains
on hold for a while can do so now by
watching television shows such as
“Falcon Crest,” “Dynasty” and the
now Bobby Ewing-less “Dallas.”So
why does the public have to be insulted
by having important historical people
and the days of their lives turned into
mini-soap operas? Don’t we have
enough of this kind of stuff clogging
the airwaves already?
Unfortunately, because the TV
ratings for the above-mentioned night­
time shows are so great, TV producers
hope to cash in on such ratings by
treating their historical mini-series-
what Newsweek calls “biovids”- as
historical soap operas. The point miss­
ed in this greedy grab for profits is that
the producers of these biovids could
actually do the public a service (and
history justice) by educating them on
the real-life drama of history’s great
people. As long as the ratings remain
strong for these historical soaps, which
brings to mind the phrase “If it ain’t
broke, don’t fix it,” then it’s unlikely
any changes will be made in the quality
of them. One thing is for sure, and that
is the public is gong to be subjected to
more of these biovids. According to
Newsweek, the lives of Michelangelo,
Napoleon, Peter the Great, Hernando
Corte’s, Joseph Stalin, Benito
Mussolini, Emperor Hirohito, John C.
Fremont, Sam Houston, Andrew
Jackson and Theodore Roosevelt are
currently being developed into biovids
by the networks.
For those genuinely interested in the
real stories behind these and other
historical figures, talk with College
History Instructor Dr. Donald Epstein.
He can recommend shelves of books to
read on practically any subject';
moreover, the contents of these books
will prove to be infinitely more in­
teresting (and factual) than anything
that will appear on television in the
near future.
1
Community Corner____
By Fritz Wenzel
ever again be as awed by life as I was on those
two occasions, (yes, the second time is as ex­
citing as the first). I was also doing everything
that the nurses said I should do (I lose all grasp
of common sense under pressure) to help my
wife Lisa cope with the event. The births of my
children was everything in the world except
Of the Reverend Jim Jones: “Knowing of one: It was not romantic.
your congregation’s deep involvement in the
Maybe it is just me, but the needles, the
major social and constitutional issues of our
hospital bill, the monitors, the crowds of nurses
country is a great inspiration to me.”
that are streaming in and out of the room, the
-Walter Mondale.
Of Richard Nixon: “Sincerity is the quality hospital bill, the being on your feet for 16
straight hours, the blood, the sweat, the
that comes through on television”
hospital bill, the tears, the anesthesiologist, the
-The Washington Star.
Nixon on Nixon: “I would have made a good anesthesiologist’s bill; all this stuff detracts
from what really gets me into the mood for
Pope.”
Reagan on Reagan in 1973: “The thought of romance. (Did I mention the screaming?). In
the presidency frightens me. I do not think I fact, it may be hard to believe, but I have been
accused of being a less- than-romantic type of
want the job.”
AFL-CIO President Jimmy Hoffa in 1975: guy, yet I have come up with better stuff to do
than go to a maternity ward and give birth.
“I do not need a body guard.”
Union Army Civil War Officer General John A FEW SNIGLETS FOR THE ROAD:
B. Sedgewick’s famous last words: “They Rich Hall has a book out that lists a sniglet as
couldn’t hit an elephant at this dist—. (I bet you any word that doesn’t appear in the dictionary,
have always wondered who really said that). but should. Here are some examples:
-Memnants: The chipped or broken m-and-m’s
GOING TOO FAR: On my way about town at the bottom of the bag.
yesterday I heard an advertisement on the radio -Fenderberg: The large glacial deposits that
for a local hospital that wanted people to come form on the insides of car fenders during
and have their babies as their (paying) guests. snowstorms.
They said it could be a safe, exciting and (here’s -Anaception: The body’s ability to actually af­
what got me) romantic experience. Now wait fect television reception by moving about the
just one minute. I have been present and ac­ room.
counted for at both of my kids’ arrival into this Gnemuck: The combination of popcorn, soda
world, and it was exhilerating beyond com­ and meted chocolate which covers the floors of
prehension. I have never, nor do I expect to movie theaters.
j
ADULTS SAY THE DARNDEST THINGS:
From the book “The Experts Speak” come
these few quotes from some prominent people
commenting on other people. Read on with
caution, for your cynicism level is likely to rise
quickly:
Page 2
The Print gladly accepts any letters
to the editor. All letters are subject
to editing and should not be
libelous, obscene or false. Letters
must be typed and double-spaced.
It must be signed by the author and
be accompanied by an address and
phone number where he/she can be
reached.
1X1IXII1XIIIIII1II1IIIIIZIXXZIII1
THE PRINT aims to be a fair and impartial journalistic medium covering
the eampus community as thoroughly as possible. Opinions expressed in
THE PRINT do not necessarily reflect those of the College administra­
tion, faculty, Associated Student Government or other members of THE
PRINT staff. THE PRINT is a weekly publication distributed each
Wednesday except for finals week. Clackamas Community College,
19600 S. Molalla Ave., Oregon City, Oregon 97045.
Office: Trailer B; telephone 657-8400, ext. 309
Editor In Chief: Shelley Ball
News Editor: Fritz Wenzel
Arts Editor: D. Dietrich
Sports Editor: Rodney Fobert
Copy Editor: Fritz Wenzel
Photo Editor: Joel Miller
Advertising Manager: Bill Fergusson
Staff Writers: J. Jason, Amy LaBare, Julie Miller
Staff Photographers: Jeff Meek, Dan Wheeler
Graphics Assistant: Han Tran
Typesetter: Jacque deWaal
Advisor: Dana Spielmann
___________________________________________________ —>
Clackamas Community College