When it’s least expected, You’re Elected, You’re the star today!
Smile, You’re on Candid Camera!
A classic comedy show in various incarnations and networks from the late 40’s through today – I was surprised by that as well, assuming the show went off the air in like 1967, but Allen Funt’s kid has to eat. It featured normal, unassuming people in ‘funny/odd’ situations, which ended with the “Smile…” line (kids, ask your parents about prank shows before Jackass).
The earliest episodes were pre-social media and the anonymous cruelty that’s unleashed, and funny – for the time. Television was different then, Groucho Marx on You Bet Your Life basically talked for a half hour and was a hit.
I resurrect the program due to its unpredictable nature: Anyone can get picked. For anything. A memory of a friend falling on the ice in Chicago whose first response was the “Smile…” line comes to mind…
But a routine life experience: We all get picked for something, or multiple somethings.
Most of life’s pickings pretty gentle: Jobs, families, chicken tamales – gentle happiness.
But unlike the gentleness of Candid Camera, unfortunately life can pick you for some unpleasant stuff.
Some very unpleasant stuff.
It begins with the 90+% of Americans ‘Screwed at birth’, born into poverty or other tough circumstances, with minimal odds of ever overcoming their birth start. The old “Poverty begats poverty”, which we’ve been fighting with gobs of government dollars since forever – with little success.
Equity or equality, all ending where it started. Kids can’t read or do math – if only TikTok proficiency was a career.
And then there’s “Fat begats Fat”, or maybe that’s just Mississippi.
Then there’s the physical/medical stuff life throws at folks.
We ‘olds’ all have something ‘minor’ we share at the Organ Recital, waking us up at night.
But the worst, the range of horrible childhood diseases – the St. Jude commercials on the Hallmark channel a happy ending diversion – but proving when you do good, you’ll be rewarded – with an 8 billion or so endowment.
And yes, the $19/month contribution request an industry standard…
Oddly, St. Jude founder Danny Thomas and his daughter Marlo had funny – for the time – shows in the 60s. And Marlo now helping kids learn how to spell rhinoplasty…
On to the range of horrible adult diseases, from “This will take you out” to “This is going to be tough to deal with”.
As an aside, I realize we’re debating horrible vs. miserable afflictions, but that’s life. Or maybe just a Korean game show.
Cancer the most prominent “Take you out” disease, with lots of varieties – my advice, try and not get any of them – watch who you sit next to on the el. Or if you do, survive it. I’ve had 3 variations of cancer and still here, so it can be done. But not recommended…
Then there’s the “Tough to deal with”, some of which might “Take you out”.
While I fear a stroke – and a third of my family being laid off by DOGE – top of mind is Parkinsons, which two close friends are currently dealing with.
Raising the insanity of life (again): Why do good people get picked for bad stuff? The answer: I don’t know. But I’m sure there’s other posts that pretend to…
But my friends dealing nobly: Following the science, taking their meds, continuing to live their lives.
Living their lives with humor and optimism.
Which is the only rational approach to the world’s insanity: the occasional hearty laugh will keep you sane… and a cure hopefully on the way.
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ENHANCE YOUR ENJOYMENT OF THIS POST, PAIR IT WITH THE FOLLOWING ‘AGING HIPSTER MUSIC’:
Charlie Crockett is a country/Americana singer, who turns 40 tomorrow and is a descendant of Davy Crockett. His mention is due to the new album just released, from which I’ve added ‘Lonesome Drifter’ and ‘Amarillo by Morning’ to his other songs previously added. You’re probably thinking “Wait, he puts a new album out twice a year” – about right – and “I loved George Strait’s version of Amarillo”… – also about right.