Page 34 - The Gluckman Occasional Number Eleven

Celebrity Widows (Gnu Network). After twelve seasons, the death
of host Barry Cade brought an end to the hospice reality show,
“Dying with the Stars”. Seemingly, the morbidity for mortality in the
television audience was sufficient for producer Felix Arabian to pitch
a sequel to Gnu. Thus the vicarious thrill of watching the greats
succumb to the ravages of time and poor choices has transitioned
seamlessly into the schadenfreude of their surviving spouses’ grief,
compounded by the show’s research into the hidden relationships
and financial disasters left behind by their loved ones. Adding to the
piquance of the revamped format is its host, Cass Cade: the secrets
and lies emerging after Barry’s passing have been a ratings boost.

Off with their Heads! (XTV). The hit comedy returns, with mock-
executioner Otto Bartz again getting the most laughs with his flabby
rubber ax (syncretizing the jester’s slapstick and bladder?). The
absurdity of lookalike stand-ins for contemporary politicians,
business executives and cult leaders being judged by a tribunal
costumed as medieval judges never fails to amuse and delight
viewers. The program was briefly off the air during the network’s
successful legal defense against charges it was responsible for a high-
profile assassination. The mentally-impaired defendant had shouted
“Off with his head!” during the attack. The loyal advertisers agreed
that all publicity is good publicity. Great fun for the cognoscenti!