Fresh when it gets here from
Julie Barrett
Friday, February 9, 2007
Weekend Assignment #151: Is Valentine's Day a genuinely romantic day? Or just a big commercial money pit into which romantic people fall?
Here I was thinking that all the commercialism and hype around Valentine's Day is a recent thing, but I was wrong. Recently, I listened to a great many love-themed old-time radio shows in preparation for our latest show. (Shameless plug: There's one weekend left. Come watch me make a fool of myself on stage. Proceeds go to a worthy cause.) I was surprised at how shows from half a century ago spoofed the Valentine's hype. A few examples:
* Ozzie Nelson (Ozzie and Harriet started on radio) tearing his hear out in an attempt to find a perfect gift for Harriet.
* Mr. Old Timer attempting to foist badly-written Valentine's cards on Fibber McGee.
* Lucille Ball making broad hints over the expensive gift she wants for Valentine's Day. (My Favorite Husband transitioned to to television as I Love Lucy.)
I can go on, but I'll spare you. Suffice it to say that there's been plenty of hype to go around for years.
Extra credit: Suggest a nice romantic movie.. It's gotta be Love Actually. Sure, it takes place at that other over-hyped holiday, Christmas, but I love it. It has an all-star cast and writing and direction by Richard Curtis. Bill Nighy's has-been rocker character is a scream.
So will we be celebrating the holiday? I'm sure we'll exchange cards, but I know we're going to be wiped out from the show. Of course, that's assuming I find a decent card. I hate the overly sentimental crap and the stupid attempts at humor. And if I ever see another monkey on a card again, it will be too soon. Now I'll probably find the perfect combination of "monkey" and "twisted" that will make me eat those words!
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Weekend Assignment