Christian mentions that "Hollywood directors, producers, and actors in search of creative freedom or extra work have developed web shows and networks since the late 1990s" (12). This made me think of John Krasinski's Some Good News, a new Youtube show he has started to release weekly shortly after the shelter-in-place orders were given. The first episode dropped on March 29. The show opens with a parodic take on the news segments visual trope of the globe -- only this is the kind of globe that people have at home, for decorative or educational purposes. "My daughters made it," Krasinski goes on to say of the markers-drawn SGN sign that hangs behind him, not far from a "I <3 Dad" sign.
I understand this show as a light-hearted alternative to the news we are receiving through the conventional "legacy TV." The show stays very, very far away from politics, and practical pandemic-related matters, but it screams "enough of the stressful noise. let's shelter in place. and let's focus on the good."
After a mention of the unprecedented times we are in, stating the need for positive news, doing a shoutout to the heroism of the global healthcare community, Karasinski gets on a video call with Steve Carell. They joke around about looking dapper to appear on camera and Krasinski confesses to wearing "jamas" rather than the bottoms that match his top -- relating to the average American's work-from-home circumstances. The two then reminisce about The Office, surely giving their fans a little treat. In other good news, a cancer survivor child comes home, couples don't let corona stop their engagement plans. In another episode, Brad Pitt appears as the weather man. These high profile actors generally appear in very mediated content as performers, but here Krasinski produces and curates content of his choice: kid-friendly news aiming to help keep the "troops'" morale up.
SGN cane read as a pandemic version of what Christian would deem A-list talent frustrated by major brands tapping into the networked television market.
No comments:
Post a Comment