catapult magazine

catapult magazine
 

Vol 4, Num 1 :: 2005.01.14 — 2005.01.27

 
 

Television 2004

Asterisk Award for Television in 2004: Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

What programs, specials or events made television worth watching in 2004?

C.N.: Though it lost it’s novelty, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

was still wonderful. It’s one of the only shows I can watch without being even remotely cynical. Even the blatant brand-name dropping and advertising doesn’t hurt it. It is just a wonderful, feel-good, redemptive hour of television.


J.H.: The Amazing Race, mostly because it’s the time when I gather with my friends for Mexican food. Who says television kills community?


W.B.: We don’t own a television.


B.D.: Oprah, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.


J.V.: 24, Scrubs and the elections.


K.V.: Joan of Arcadia & Indianapolis Colts!


W.D.: The Freaks and Geeks DVD set was released (and is a great watch with the exception of one really bad episode). It used to be on TV. Does that count?


K.M.V.: I enjoyed the biographical special on Tom Brokaw at the time of his retirement. His commitment to his work and his catalog of experiences is incredible.


R.R.: I enjoy watching football, but I?ve been cursed with the Chicago Bears as my home team. And they certainly don?t make television worth watching. I guess that didn?t answer the question ? directly anyway.


What was the most sensationalistic moment or event you saw on television last year?


W.B.: We still don’t own a television.


B.D.: Ashley Simpson on SNL (and the rerun right before Christmas).


J.V.: Janet Jackson’s wardrobe malfunction.


K.V.: Janet Jackson exposing herself at our church Superbowl party!


R.R.: Anything on Fox, including the sporting events they broadcast.


Describe one or more TV moments (on the news or elsewhere) that revealed the power of God’s grace in 2004.


J.H.: Probably the night the Trinity Broadcasting Network was off the air due to technical reasons.


W.B.: The absence of such moments.


B.D.: All of the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition shows.


W.D.: If Dr. Phil had been cancelled, that would surely be God’s grace extended to mankind [laugh]. The episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition with the deaf parents, blind/autistic son, and ‘fully-functional’ son was sensational (in a positive sense). It made me cry.


K.M.V.: Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. I catch myself thinking that the producers of the show could find a family more deserving or could be less extravagant with the homes in order to help more people, but then I?m struck by the nature of the grace as being undeserved and lavished upon us.


R.R.: Extreme Makeover: Home Edition is perhaps the most redemptive show on television. Instead of destroying things or pitting people against one another, the show uses the power of television to help those who really need it.




Discussion: Television 2004


What would you add to the members? responses? What television shows stood out for you in 2004?

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