People ask me if I’m watching the Impeachment.

I say “No, why would I watch any program where I already know the ending?” Why would anyone?

Have you ever heard of Kabuki Theater? The definition:

“Kabuki is a form of classical theater in Japan known for its elaborate costumes and dynamic acting. The phrases Kabuki Theater, kabuki dance, or kabuki play are sometimes used in political discourse to describe an event characterized more by showmanship than by content”.

Perhaps you remember the World Wrestling Federation? (In 2001 the name was changed to WWE). Fans loved it, even though the outcome was fixed. It was well known, but people who liked wrestling acted as if they didn’t know it was fake. See the connection?

As a point of History, Professional Wrestling in the United States, until the 1920s, was viewed as a legitimate sport. This view did not endure into the 1930s, as Professional Wrestling became identified with modern theatrics, or “admitted fakeness” (“kayfabe”), moving away from being a showcase for true competition.

TV game shows have existed as long as the television, and they were expected to be honest competition. In the 1950’s it was revealed that most quiz shows were essentially a scripted comedy-drama. The most famous of which was Twenty One, the scandal that Robert Redford turned into the movie “Quiz Show”. At the time, Congress amended the communications act to make it illegal to fix quiz shows.

But human nature tells us that the more things change, the more they stay the same.

Reality TV is also a competition, that is becoming mostly fake. The characters are manipulated to create the drama that hooks an audience.

So why do we watch?

I think it’s helpful to remember that we humans love to be entertained. Movies are expected to be fiction, and we love watching them. We suspend disbelief. It’s a very human trait, and we all do it.

It’s all Kabuki Theater.

Let’s go back to the WWE. WWE shows are not legitimate contests, but purely entertainment-based, featuring storyline-driven, scripted, and choreographed matches, though matches often include moves that can put performers at risk of injury, even death, if not performed correctly. Of course, that part’s fine with us. The National Football League confirms it.

Did you know?

Vince McMahon inducted Donald Trump into the Wrestling Hall Of Fame in 2013. Vince spoke of Trump and their working relationship during WrestleMania IV and WrestleMania V, as well as the “Battle of the Billionaires” at WrestleMania 23. Throughout his speech, Trump was booed constantly up until he finished and left the stage.

Why am I telling you this?

Because as an observer over time, it appears to me that most people don’t understand what’s really going on. They think it’s real. Some think “booing” the President will hurt him, even when it’s obviously not doing that. Some think that saying he’s lying will cause him to be removed from office, even though they already know that’s not going to happen. Some think that Global warming is made up, even though their weather has changed dramatically. Others think that someone’s trying to take away their guns, even though that has never happened. All act as if their side really cares about the things that are important to them, forgetting that they mostly care about re-election and money. They don’t acknowledge that our government is largely a game show.

Bob Rivers

PS. I’m back to blogging, even though writing is more difficult for me than talking :-). In the age we live in, if I want you to hear my Podcasts, I’ve got to promote them by being Multimedia (more on that later).

Since I last posted here at bobrivers.blog – there are now 2 weekly podcasts. Free. And more in the works. My goal is to give fans a conversation they can listen to on the commute as many days per week as I can. And this only really works if you like it and tell as many friends as you can. Sort of like Netflix and Amazon Prime. Word of “Mouse” is our best advertising.

1. The New Bob Rivers Show, with Bob Spike and Joe.

2. The Bob and Zipcast with Ed Kelly.

(The second Podcast is new, and I hope Bob Spike and Joe fans will give it a try. Zip was my first morning show partner in Boston, circa the ’80s, and Ed Kelly is a genius voice actor and smart guy I worked with at the American Comedy Network, pre Spike).

For Spike fans, I’m trying to drag him into a duo podcast, “Bob and Spike after hours”, where he can let loose.