Talking Heads

As I write this, it is Sunday afternoon. Sunday morning always brings with it the usual line up of talk shows with their commentators and guests. I remember the first President Bush referring to these people as "the talking heads." I don't know if he coined that nickname or if it was someone else, but it has stuck.

When I first heard that phrase, "talking heads," I immediately understood what he was referring to. These television shows have several people who will discuss current happenings in government and politics. They tend to have more of an intellectual bent than you will find on the regular network news shows at the dinner hour.

However, there is something about the tone, the vocal inflection, people use when they say, "talking heads," that gives you the idea they don't have as high opinion of these commentators as the commentators seem to have of themselves. I find that amusing.

The whole terminology, "talking heads," amuses me as well. Of course these people are talking from their heads. What other part of their anatomy might they use? Don't answer that.

That these shows were relegated to Sunday morning probably says more about our society at large than it says about the people on them. Personally, I would prefer these shows were televised on Saturday. Many Sunday church goers either have to record the programs for later viewing or miss them altogether.

I actually enjoy listening to most of these discussions. Even the people I disagree with are enjoyable to listen to when they have a well thought out, well articulated presentation. The sort of meaningful exchange that occurs under the conditions of these particular shows would never happen in an atmosphere more akin to that of Jerry Springer. Of course, the people who actually watch Jerry Springer are likely to be bored with the talking heads because there just isn't enough action to entertain them.

That's Wade's two cents.

Wade Houston
November 18, 2007


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