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Lockdown Update Day 192
Tonight we watched The Truman Show. Still as relevant (maybe even moreso) than it was in 1998 (Darcy says we saw it on the opening night, which seems right).
If you haven't seen it - do. The ending... ♥ It's very much what we need right now.
ETA: This reminded me of something else, thinking about the reality TV aspect. Big Brother was first broadcast the year after (1999).
Now the Cherub & I are doing the world slowest Doctor Who re-watch, starting with S1 (Ninth Doctor many months ago). We recently watched Bad Wolf (from 2005) and it starts with the Doctor literally falling into Big Brother - the theme is pumping out, there are the eye symbols all over the walls, and it's like falling into a time warp. It's immediately recognisable. Except. The Cherub (just turned 15, born in 2005) had no idea what it was. Had never heard the music, didn't have a clue until I explained. She'd heard of Big Brother of course, but the effect of it was completely lost on her.
The other point I wanted to highlight was this, from when the Doctor and Lynda-with-a-Y are watching Earth from Satellite 5:
DOCTOR: What's happened to [Earth]?
LYNDA: Well, it's always been like that. Ever since I was born. See that there? That's the Great Atlantic Smog Storm. It's been going twenty years. We get newsflashes telling us when it's safe to breathe outside.
DOCTOR: So the population just sits there? Half the world's too fat, and half the world's too thin, and you lot just watch telly?
LYNDA: Ten thousand channels, all beaming down from here.
Anyway. Go watch The Truman Show.
If you haven't seen it - do. The ending... ♥ It's very much what we need right now.
ETA: This reminded me of something else, thinking about the reality TV aspect. Big Brother was first broadcast the year after (1999).
Now the Cherub & I are doing the world slowest Doctor Who re-watch, starting with S1 (Ninth Doctor many months ago). We recently watched Bad Wolf (from 2005) and it starts with the Doctor literally falling into Big Brother - the theme is pumping out, there are the eye symbols all over the walls, and it's like falling into a time warp. It's immediately recognisable. Except. The Cherub (just turned 15, born in 2005) had no idea what it was. Had never heard the music, didn't have a clue until I explained. She'd heard of Big Brother of course, but the effect of it was completely lost on her.
The other point I wanted to highlight was this, from when the Doctor and Lynda-with-a-Y are watching Earth from Satellite 5:
DOCTOR: What's happened to [Earth]?
LYNDA: Well, it's always been like that. Ever since I was born. See that there? That's the Great Atlantic Smog Storm. It's been going twenty years. We get newsflashes telling us when it's safe to breathe outside.
DOCTOR: So the population just sits there? Half the world's too fat, and half the world's too thin, and you lot just watch telly?
LYNDA: Ten thousand channels, all beaming down from here.
Anyway. Go watch The Truman Show.
no subject
It's interesting how the surveillance issue has become 'Big Brother', but the far more worrying thing is the way information can be controlled. Re. the music then I think you'd only know it if you watched the show. So lucky you.
I recall a lesbian was all over the gay press at the time; there was still a gay press back then. Only glossy lifestyle magazines now, but she lost; it was said, because the one who won promised to give the prize to charity - I think.
I think she came 2nd or 3rd? Can't remember much about the guy who won, except that his name was Craig and he was sort of very average. The lesbian former nun was probably a little too out there, but it was good that they had her on the show, I think.
That really is all I remember; whereas the black & white images of the BBC re-broadcast of it's production of 1984 are still strong enough to evoke emotions even now.
I don't think I have ever watched it. But I have read the book.