SENTINEL WATCH March 15, 2004 Issue

Chips off a whole new block

By Warren Bolon

This history of American television reads a little like the Bible's book of Leviticus: The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet begat My Three Sons, My Three Sons begat (skipping a generation) All in the Family, and All in the Family begat (skipping one more generation, to another Ozzy) The Osbournes.

The entertainment industry's grand tradition has been, "If it succeeds, imitate it." And if it's a big hit—clone it.

The current wave of "reality" television programming also traffics in unreality—in imitation and formula. Yes, it's about entertainment. But do sitcoms and reality shows clarify, or compound, the overarching question: What is genuine and what's imitation? What is life really about?

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