Film tutor John Truby once told his class that " Towards the end of every drama the protagonist must make a decision . When I say a decision I don't mean that they have to choose between being awarded an ice cream over root canal surgery without anesthetic because by definition that's not a choice since there's no dilemma involved and can't be called a decision " I wonder if John will be using this example for his film studies class ? :
Britain early May 2005 and a 7 pm Saturday night television audience has a choice between
DOCTOR WHO : Starring a critically acclaimed actor famous for his dark angry portrayals dressed in a black leather jacket in a fantasy series with Hollywood standard special effects and tight scripts featuring a breath taking firefight between a Dalek and hundreds of extras , or a later episode featuring an intelligent science fiction plot with space bats killing guests at a wedding
Or
CELEBRITY WRESTLING : Starring Roddy Piper wearing a kilt and a host of B list celebrities smacking each other with giant cotton buds and getting involved in push fights in a show that rips off GLADIATORS with the contestants having great names like " Killer " , Animal " , " Slapper " and " Tosser "
That's not much of a dilemma for a family audience is it ? I mean if you've got Christopher Eccleston trying to save humanity from the forces of darkness compared to a couple of actors from a soap opera getting involved in a sumo wrestling type bout then what one are you going to watch ? No Dilemma involved I think . I guess the producers were aware of this at the beginning so they tried to inject some human drama into it by having the coaches console " the gallant losers " who are more often than not in tears and praising the contestants courage but this comes across as being so false and patronising it's almost offensive and no wonder the audiences switched off in their millions
Perhaps Mr Truby should use the following example as a decision ? :
Britain late May and a 10am Sunday morning audience has a choice between
THE HEAVEN AND EARTH SHOW where guests discuss their religious beliefs as to what God , Jesus and spirituality mean to them in a pretty dire talk show
Or
CELEBRITY WRESTLING Starring Roddy Piper dressed in a kilt and a host of B celebrities discussing how much winning this competition means to them
I think television on a Sunday morning at 10am is a much better example of having to come to a decision as in " Will I go out and buy the Sunday papers or shall I stay in bed till 11am ? "