Jumping the shark?
In a 1977 episode of Happy Days, Arthur “Fonzie” Fonzarelli jumped a shark on water skis. The phrase “jumping the shark” was termed to identify when an outlet has run out of creative ideas and moves away from its core value. So, let’s look at three subjects… Climate change, Genderism, and Racism. Are they in danger of “jumping the shark” or is it more that a course correction is needed (the pendulum shifted too far).
Climate change.
Of course, the climate changes and oceans rise as we have evidence of much of the US being under water at one point in time. The question is to what degree is mankind contributing to the pace of climate change and are we being smart in reducing our impact on the earth.
The argument the movement has “jumped the shark” comes from a recent LA Times column by Sammy Roth suggesting rolling blackouts to fight climate change. Why not just sacrifice one person per household? The suggestion truly makes one question the columnist’s sanity and sets back potential positive change. It is also emblematic of a movement that is act now and worry about the side effects later.
Solar seems like it may be a piece of the solution, but it has issues from the mining, melting, and cooling involved in making the panels to the hazardous material in some and the issue of disposal. It also poses significant fire risks and shortens the life span of roofing. I see it as a stop gap but not a savior.
EV vehicles are putting the cart before the horse. We don’t have enough electricity to power the vehicles which means we need more coal and natural gas to create the electricity. They are great fire risks, destroy the earth with lithium mining, and pollute the air with tire wear in heavier vehicles like buses and trucks. If you buy a car your best bet is Hybrid. I suspect we will move past EV as hydrogen becomes viable.
Wind Farms are not very reliable and aesthetically awful. They are also economically not feasible and most companies in that field are nearing bankruptcy.
What is the answer? We need to remove politicians and whack-a-moles from the equation. If those blowhards John Kerry, Bill Nye, and Greta Whatever are the face of climate change it will always be viewed as progressive opportunists taking advantage for a money grab. We need an aggressive push toward microreactors (baby nukes with very little risk), and we need to dramatically reduce our addiction to plastics. There is a big cost to it which means we will need to tariff the hell out of foreign manufacturers that continue to rely on fossil fuels and don’t make the change. My bigger concern is water and food shortages which are likely to occur first. The fallback plan is we can rely on nature to solve the problem of over population. That’s OK if you believe in God but might not work out for those who don’t.
Genderism
Gay and Lesbians fought hard to be accepted by society and eventually with time society viewed them as a different kind of “normal”. So, what is causing the pendulum to shift back against homosexuality and gay marriage? Quite simply genderism.
When Supreme Court Justice nominee Ketangi Brown Jackson was asked what it meant to be a “woman”. She replied, “I am not a biologist”. Shockingly, this person sits on the Supreme Court today.
When US Women’s soccer player Megan Rapinoe in support of trans participating in women’s sports, said “‘You’re taking a “real” woman’s place,’ that’s the part of the argument that’s still extremely transphobic”. Billie Jean King’s response was a simple “Yikes”.
The reality is trans people are their own class of people. They are people living in bodies that are inconsistent with their preference. Society can accept that but this push to expand the definition of “woman” beyond biology is inconsistent with science and an example of the pendulum shifting too far. There are ways to accommodate trans people without discriminating against women and when we get back to that course the vitriol will calm.
Racism
Without a doubt, racism needs a course correction. The Supreme Court just made that clear. Racism isn’t restricted to one race or oppressed group. All people can be racists or bigots. Ibram Kendi “jumped the shark” with his “How to be an anti-racist” book that was devoured by progressive educators across the Country to great fiscal reward for Kendi and harm to School systems including Belmont in which “challenging each student at their level” was discarded due to equity concerns at the Chenery.
There is no way to end racism but eliminating race from consideration is a good start. Be it eliminating affirmative action as the Supreme Court did in the Harvard case or eliminating “legacy admission favoritism” as Wesleyan in CT just did.
Correction
The last edition I mistakenly identified the suspect in the verbal attack on an Asian couple as a youth with mental health issues. I have been told it was an adult female with issues not a youth. Not sure that makes me feel any better.
The Belmont Human Rights commission has a “Discrimination Complaint form” on its website. In the spirit of transparency, it would be great to have a complaint log like the police log in which the Town is made aware of various complaints. Not naming names but showing that alleged acts of racism occur and are not limited to any race or religion.
Now for some fun….
Now that your mind is racing and probably “googling” stories about solar panels or EV’s or maybe even “Fonzie”. I bring you the can’t miss summer reading list and a special Trivia theme.
It is the height of Summer in Belmont… which means easier access to tables at the Wellington (Nite Lite by Nightshift brewing paired with a burger or lettuce wraps) and Trinktisch (Table Lager paired with tomato soup and grilled cheese). It also means time for “Summer reading”. As a youth on the fast track for MENSA, my summer reading usually consisted of Mad magazine and Archie comics. Classics that still exist to this day. I am gifting Townie Talk readers with a list of my prior year’s summer reading list and a trivia fest. I highly recommend these books for those with a sense of humor and or considering coaching in youth sports.
Any parent going into coaching should read “The Outliers” by Malcolm Gladwell. It is not strictly sports related as much as what indicators are most associated with success in any field. It is well written and provides a better perspective when coaching. I am glad I coached in the 2000’s and early 2010’s as I think I would have been banned today. Sports provided a great opportunity for girls to show their competitive side and be aggressive while at the same time instilling the camaraderie of being on a team. So many great memories coaching… one year the last game of the season in the pre-game speech we were undefeated going up against a team that had not won a game. My typical pregame speech was to go out there and kick ass (that was salty language for kids). Upon learning the other team hadn’t won a game one of my players surmised we would win either way as we can celebrate our opponent’s first win if we did lose. A quick glare and that thought process was quickly revoked. That player was gifted in many ways and is pursuing a medical degree after a pit stop in the Ivies.
My philosophy with coaching was simple… the success of each season was based on the girls learning the game to the level that they could enjoy watching the game on TV or one day coach themselves. Winning as a team was a major focus. Who starts means nothing to the best coaches which is something I wish parents understood. As a coach you try to strike a balance in which stronger players can back up developing players. Starting your best players just leaves you exposed when substituting or means you are not balancing playing time which after reading the “Outliers” you will understand your fatuity.
Anyone born pre-1978 is certain to know Rob Lowe from “The Outsiders”, “St. Elmo’s Fire”, and numerous Television shows including “The West Wing”. Lowe is a “workaholic”, recovering alcoholic, and married with two sons. He is also one of the best storytellers in modern day. He currently hosts a podcast Literally! with Rob Lowe. The summer reading suggestion is “Stories I only tell my friends” By Rob Lowe. It is a memoir of true stories covering all subjects impacting his life. After his parents divorced, Lowe relocated to California where he became friends with a fellow nerd “Charlie Sheen” and from there it is a collection of humor and insight that will entertain till the end.
After reading those two, I serve up the amazing Jeraldine Saunders. Model, Nutritionist, and the world’s most famous cruise director. Her memoir “The Love Boats” by Jeraldine Saunders was the basis for one of the greatest Television series ever. “The Love Boat” started with three TV movies, aired for 10 seasons, followed with 4 specials, and ended with a TV movie. Jeraldine’s book is about her life and experience working on a cruise ship. It’s a must read to understand how Aaron Spelling came to bring the book to life.
So, let’s get into Love Boat Trivia….
Which three Love Boat characters are the only regular cast members to appear in every episode of the TV series?
A: Beryl “Gopher” Smith, Isaac Washington, and Captain Stubing
B: Adam “Doc” Bricker, Captain Stubing, and Beryl “Gopher Smith
C: Adam “Doc” Bricker, Beryl “Gopher Smith, and Captain Stubing
D: Adam “Doc” Bricker, Isaac Washington, and Captain Stubing
Which TV show cast members had the third most appearances on the Love Boat after second place “Happy Days” with 98 appearances (mostly Marion Ross and Ted McGinley)?
A: Knots Landing
B: MASH
C: Dallas
D: Brady Bunch
Bonus: Which TV show had the most cast member appearances… a whopping 270?
These Brady Bunch stars never appeared on The Love Boat?
A: Cindy, Jan, Marsha, Greg, Peter,
B: Bobby, Peter, Greg, Oliver, Alice
C: Cindy, Bobby, Peter, Greg, Alice
D: Cindy, Jan, Bobby, Peter, Greg
Which two Seinfeld guest stars also made appearances on The Love Boat?
A: Courtney Cox
B: Debra Messing
C: Teri Hatcher
D: Marissa Tomei
Who was Cruise Director Julie McCoy’s true love?
A: Beryl “Gopher” Smith
B: Adam “Doc” Bricker
C: Marty Chenault
D: Tony Selkirk
It was the most sought-after show to guest star on with 552 celebrity guest appearances. Who had the most appearances in the TV series?
A: Charo
B: Florence Henderson (aka Mrs. Brady)
C: Marion Ross (AKA Mrs. Cunningham)
D: Ted Knight (Mary Tyler Moore show)
Which of these celebrities never appeared on “The Love Boat”?
A: Kathy Bates
B: Milton Berle
C: OJ Simpson
D: Bill Bixby
True or False speed round….
- Passengers paid thousand of dollars to be on the cruise during filming.
- Dionne Warwick sang the opening theme song on more episodes than Jack Jones.
- Fred Grandy “Gopher” boarded at Belmont Hill for two years and his roommate was the grandson of President Eisenhower.
- Vincent Price once guest starred on the Love Boat as a “Detective.”
- Louise “Wheezy” Jefferson played Isaac Washington’s mother.
- Butkus, Grier, Namath and Reggie Jackson all appeared on the Love Boat.
- The Professor (not Roy Epstein) but from Gilligan’s Island was the only Gilligan’s regular not to appear on an episode of the Love Boat.
- Captain Stubing eventually married Florence Henderson on the show.
- Adam “Doc” Bricker was married and divorced 6 times.
- John Ritter played the “kissing bandit” on an episode.
The Love Boat episodes are available for free through streaming service “Pluto”.
RIP Class of 1985 John Deignan and Class of 1984 James Falvey.
Less than 7 weeks to the NFL kickoff.