Absolutely Fabulous is a show that were I re-sitting leaving cert English I would probably use as a convoluted metaphor for how the Celtic tiger, fuelled with its money, extravagance and over-estimation of its own self worth allowed us to loose the run of ourselves, go into decline and become, like Patsy and Eddie, a modern day parody of the last days of Rome.
“Sweetie, I can’t give my clothes to charity! The homeless have ENOUGH to deal with without being seen in last seasons’ Dior!”
And just as Absolutely Fabulous came to a close in 2006, we saw the economic climax reach its peak before it began its barrelling descent towards total collapse. It was similarly during this period that we saw some of the final instalments of classy TV shows in which our favourite stars engaged in whirlwind romances, bitter divorces and seedy relationships in great clothes, fast cars and big houses.
Indeed, before ‘recession’ parach
uted into the ‘top most-spoken word’ category of 2008 (only to be replaced by ‘Jedward’ in 2009), there continued to be a plethora of TV shows throughout 2007 that exaggerated wealth, sophistication and projected the idea that money equals happiness (unless your Marissa Cooper, of course). The ideology was similar to a game of Sims whereby our internal and televised programming was constantly telling us that purchasing power equalled personal happiness and growth. Such shows that aired during this period and personified this ethos were of course the OC and better still, Gossip Girl. And what’s more, ‘You know you loved it…’
Two years later and knee-deep in recession however, I have to ask, where did my TV shows that were so beautifully cloaked in Juicy Couture and capped off in MAC makeup skulk to? TV has stopped being a projection of a lifestyle to crave and instead has become a mirror image of what people are facing in everyday life – and I’m not talking about wearing the same outfit twice, either, oh no!
As the recession worsened, I decided to ignore current affairs programs and give up watching the news (all part of my new year’s resolution). Yet despite my efforts it seems that the economic crisis teemed alongside relative poverty are still being projected at me but this time via TV shows – and that’s not including the Wire or the Corner! As this economic global-warming situation that we have all been catapulted into becomes more exacerbated and our investments continue to disappear faster than polar ice caps, I can’t help feeling bad for the unemployed and those caught in negative equity. Similarly, my heart-strings are tugged by the underdogs on TV shows like Ugly Betty. As the series develops, the magazine Betty works for, MODE, suffers at the hands of embezzlement, resulting in major internal economic difficulties, not so different to the situation faced by many people in real life. Even Will from the Inbetweeners was forced to go to a non fee-paying school following his mum’s divorce. And if all that isn’t enough dramatized reality for the time being, I have recently received word that the first few episodes of series seven of Entourage allegedly start with a heads-up to the foundering economy. Fantastic.
Despite our favourite sitcom personalities feeling the credit crunch on screen, it seems that Autumn 09 oversaw the launching of a new series of shows that focus on the impact of the recession on their protagonists. Such shows including HBO’s Hung, a 30 minute introspect on the life of a failed academic who resorts to male-prostitution and AMC’s Breaking Bad whereby a teacher takes up the seedy, double life of a meth dealer. Similarly, Bored to Death focuses on a poor and lazy writer who leads an undercover job as a detective. And where I thought Recession-itus had gotten enough PR as it was, surfacing in resident shows and newbie series alike, it has now transpired that as kids continue to ask that age old question ‘Where is Sesame street?’ that Sesame street too recognises the effects of the credit-crunch on children, warning little ones to stay positive and enjoy having mommy and daddy at home for the duration that their parents are out of work. It also reminds them that spending time with their parents is always fun since can share their favourite games and even shows such as the kls’ best video on platforms like YouTube with their parents, seeing it as a good way to bond.
Even on this side of the pond, RTÉ shows have had reference to the economic whimper of a once roaring Celtic tiger on their list of TV shows. The best and most current example being the fist shaking, finger pointing man who heckled Pat Kenny for almost five minutes on his chat show The Frontline last week.
Television popularity is rocketing, as we become more cash-strapped and cut expenditure with the knock on effect of staying in rather than going out. Pubs, which once did roaring trade on weekends are now finding it hard to meet quotas, what with ‘Jedward’ mania sweeping the country and an estimated 50% of people opting to stay in to catch their Saturday and Sunday instalment of ‘Jedward bromance’ than head out for a few well earned pints on the weekend.
Whatever you say, whatever you do, it seems you just can’t win. Personally I think addressing the recession on television is a wise step forward among TV writers and producers. By setting out relatable situations teemed with funny dialogue, TV execs can hone in on a target audience who can relate to these personalities. As the economy further declines, followed by recovery, these shows will have the ability to create identifiable personas that the working class hero can relate to.
That is not to say that I don’t still crave a little OC every now and again though.
