Telethon as Funeral
Last Friday night (Jan 22nd), there was an all-star telethon on all 4 major television networks in support of the relief and rebuilding efforts in Haiti. The program alternated between sad stories read by big-time actors and mornful tunes sung by big-time performers. All were dressed in somber dark gray or black. Interspersed was an occasional report from Haiti. Even though I wanted to like the program, it was about as exciting as a funeral.
Needless to say, I watched very little. Even the performance by Neil Young and Dave Matthews was disappointing. While I sincerely hope that the effort was successful in raising the needed money (which it apparently was), telethon formats for these type of causes need serious reconsideration. I would suggest skipping the funeral atmosphere and the dark costumes. Why not let the musical performers perform several songs; something upbeat would be great (After all isn’t “hope for the future” a positive and upbeat message?). While they are performing or just after, put the following message on the screen: “If you enjoyed this performance, please send . . . . ) The living in Haiti don’t need a funeral, they need positive reenforcement. Let Pat Robertson and the Rush Lindbaugh provide the downbeat messages.