I recently purchased the boxed set of “The Awful Truth” – the Michael Moore TV series from the Bravo cable network. Produced in 1999 and 2000, the 24 episodes are an example of what television can be in the hands of someone with creativity and originality. The fact that this series actually made it to anyone’s TV screen is miraculous, since he actually discusses serious political and social problems and gives his views on how that can be addressed. (Incidentally, all the issues covered in the series are still with us and more serious than ever). Moore infuses serious subjects with humor in order to make them more accessible, but make no mistake – this man is serious!
Among the subjects covered in this amazing series is homelessness, civil liberties, Iraq (before the invasion), racism, politics (of course), outsourcing, immigration, school shootings, NAFTA, agribusiness, corporate crime, health care (or lack thereof) and gay rights. Among my favorite episodes is Moore’s running a ficus plant for congress, the “voice box choir”, Crackers the Corporate Crime-Fighting Chicken invades Disneyland, Moore gets ejected from corporate offices and the “Sodomobile” episode is worth the price of the set alone.
In my personal opinion, Michael Moore is in the company of Will Rogers and Mark Twain as a humorist who focuses our attention on the hypocrisy and corruption of our time. There are some who say Moore hates this country. I consider him a patriot of the first order. This is a great country, but we could be so much greater if we addressed the serious social problems we face. Moore points the way with humor.
Thanks, Mike!
