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Thursday, December 18, 2008

What Is The Iconic "Bush Era" Movie or TV Show?

Newsweek asked some cultural critics to pinpoint "the singular emblems of this moment in history" -- specifically, representing life during the "Bush Years."

The overwhelming choice:


Battlestar Galactica.

"An orchestrated terrorist attack. An inexorable march to war. An enemy capable of disappearing among its targets, armed with an indifference to its own mortality. It sounds like a PBS special on Al Qaeda. In fact, it's a synopsis of the Sci Fi Channel series "Battlestar Galactica," which—for anyone who manages to get past the goofy name—captures better than any other TV drama of the past eight years the fear, uncertainty and moral ambiguity of the post-9/11 world."


My personal choice?

The Office.

I know it doesn't sound as serious as BSG. But think about it: Our country = poorly run paper company.

And Dwight is totally Cheney.

16 comments:

  1. Yeah, I'd go with The Office too. The past 8 years have not been about "fear, uncertainty and moral ambiguity". They have been about apathy.

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  2. Anonymous2:17 PM

    Agreed. Apathy and incompetence were the defining traits of the Bush years, so the Office is a great pick.

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  3. I think 24 is an inconic Bush Era show. Look beyond Jack Bauer at the supporting cast. You have corrupt government officials and businessman in league to harm America just for a better profit margin. You have officials that have made mistakes in good faith.

    But what I have really liked about 24 is that at times it shows just how clueless the billion(s) dollar military/ spy networks are at times. I think that is the most real aspect of the show, along with the corrupt dudes and ladies of the government.

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  4. Yo Gabba Gabba.

    At least for me.

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  5. Anonymous3:36 PM

    Something involving Larry the Cable Guy

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  6. I stand corrected. Yo Gabba Gabba defines everything.

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  7. Agree with Estate of Tim O'Neill. Totally Yo Gabba Gabba.

    I mean, you have the Cool Tricks that aren't really tricks and often aren't particularly cool. DJ Lance Rock as the huge, guiding overlord who removes his characters from the "radio" is obviously a reference to how the government used the media to control the people.

    "French tickler" Muno? Come on. Isn't it obvious?

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  8. Anonymous4:50 PM

    No, my favorite was when Fox News was babbling about how The Dark Knight was made by the Secret Hollywood Cabal of Conservatives.

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  9. Um, this doesn't relate and you don't have to post it, but I thought you'd appreciate this link:

    http://www2.americanprogressaction.org/o/507/t/1371/content.jsp?content_KEY=2217

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  10. Boy do I hate Pres Roselyn! Anyhow, the problem with the Office as a pick is that it is universal.

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  11. I woulda went with Lost...oh, wait, I think I see what you're saying. ...ya...The Office is perfect. They always fear of losing their jobs, and to smile and laugh in face of that is...sadly funny. Otis made a good choice (Never watched 24 though). Ryan made a good choice with the Blue Collar Comedy comedians...god, the first show was kind of funny because the jokes were fresh...but now...they need to go away.

    Never watched Battlestar Galactica...heard it was pretty sweet. But, Star Wars is the only space-opera I've given a chance. Also, Star Trek kind of quelled my want for another. Star Trek is terrible. (Sorry, fans...no, no I'm not.)

    "RANT OVER!" - BlueMaxx

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  12. Oh yeah, totally Yo Gabba Gabba. "Don't Bite Your Friends" is the Bush foreign policy in 2 minutes.

    And Plex, the "magic robot," defines how the government sees the proletariat, and...

    ...oh, okay. I just like Yo Gabba Gabba.

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  13. I'd say 24. Because it's detestable, and barely watchable. (Just like the Bush administration!)

    And they torture whoever they dang well feel like. (Just like the Bush administration!)

    And it was brought to us by Fox. (Just like the Bush administration!)

    And the more you watch, the more ridiculous, paranoid, violent, racist, and removed from actual reality it seems. (Just like the Bush administration!)

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  14. And, it's a watered down knock off of someone else's far superior work, too! So, Val, I think you're right. It may be the perfect Bush Era show.

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  15. "And, it's a watered down knock off of someone else's far superior work, too! So, Val, I think you're right. It may be the perfect Bush Era show."

    Come now. I think that statement could have easily been made in the first or even second seasons, but I think by now the show has carved out a niche and set itself apart from the original.

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  16. Thanks Matt,

    I was going to point out that the American version has a lot more depth, sophistication, and wit than the original, but I have already had that discussion on a couple other boards. Still like the British version a lot for what it was, though.

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