Mary McCaslin's Roundup
May 26,
2007
Contrary to the belief of some people many musicians do watch television.
I confess to being one of them - in spite of the fact that my late friend,
musician Winnie Winston, had a bumper sticker on his car that read, "Kill
Your Television." We just never discussed the issue.
I grew up in the pre-cable days of the 1950s and early `60s watching tv in
southern California. Aside from being the glory days of the Western there
were also some first rate country music shows that aired each week on the
local independent stations. Town Hall Party, Western Variety Time, Country
Music Time and Cal's Corral were classics. They featured many local and national
country music stars, including Tennessee Ernie Ford, Doy O'Dell, Merle Travis
and Molly Bee. Touring artists like Ray Price or Kitty Wells would make guest
appearances each week. It was a great time for country music fans. Now cable
channels present what passes for country music. We don't have cable but I
still watch tv.
What brings television viewing to mind is a recent Associated Press piece
which stated that the television industry is struggling to keep advertisers
because of a decline in viewers this spring. The writer contemplates various
possible reasons for this decline, which is causing advertisers to hesitate
to commit support for future seasons. He mentions theories that range from
early Daylight Savings Time, more reruns, bad shows (you think?), to more
shows being recorded, downloaded or streamed.
Two other possibilities for this decline were not mentioned anywhere in the
piece. The first is that police and medical dramas are now far more graphic
and gruesome than ever before. The second is the vast increase in time taken
up by sales pitches - loud sales pitches. Even public television has raised
the volume for its underwriting ads. It's getting harder to tell the difference
between an ad on commercial tv and one on public television. At least the
public television ads only run between programs.
But public television has almost become the next Home Shopping Network, devoting
more time to fundraisers and auctions. They run their program schedule for
a month or two, and then run another auction or pledge drive - for a week
or two, and sometimes longer. It's very hard to hold the loyalty of viewers
who can easily, for a nominal fee, find other means of video entertainment
which can be watched without any sort of commercial interruption. Yes, it's
incredibly expensive to run a television operation, and mandated upgrades
have added costs. But still, something has to give.
UCSC ARTS & LECTURES SERIES
Tonight this season's UCSC Arts & Lectures series closes with an 8 PM
performance at the First Congregational Church on High St. in Santa Cruz by
cellist Lynn Harrell and friends, who will play a selection of classical pieces.
These are world class musicians.
Over the last few months mandolin player Mike Marshall, choral group Chanticleer,
West African singer Angelique Kidjo, other musicians and numerous dance companies
have performed for the series. All are world class. For information about
tonight's performance or next season's offerings call 429-2159 or go to www.ucsc.edu/tickets.
Email Mary McCaslin at roundup@marymccaslin.com.