BLAME CANADA

Well, actually, Canada is blaming us...

According to a current article in Playback Magazine, American television is responsible for the destruction of indigenous -- and Canadian -- cultures: I recently caught a National Film Board documentary about the Inuit who, when introduced to TV, quickly became addicted to it. Particularly named as culprit in this '70s documentary were shows like The Edge of Night and The Price Is Right. The Inuit, their leader argued, were fast becoming marginalized because there, on their TVs, was a tantalizing and prosperous lifestyle, but never once did they see their own image involved among the glitter. Yet they remained transfixed to the spectacle as it was readily available, cheap and exciting. Their leader feared they would lose their heritage because they were lured into being bystanders in a foreign culture instead of being given the opportunity to further their own words and tell their own stories.

Wow. The Edge of Night did all that? Must have been a heck of a show.

To check it out on the AOL/PGP Classic Soap Channel, click here. (But blame Canada if you become transfixed).