Posted 10:56 AM by John A. Seafisk

When something is bothering or annoying you, it's best to take steps to confronting this annoyance, and, as Barney Fife would say, 'nip it in the bud!' When there is someone nearby who is being too loud, you tell them to be quiet. When there is a mosquito buzzing around your head while you're trying to sleep, you get up and kill it. When you have a headache, you take aspirin.

This approach more or less works for these type of annoyances. However, there is one annoyance where confrontation does usually lead to any positive solution....the media.

When you find a television program or film or magazine or newspaper annoying and offensive, taking a confronting stand against the media outlet in question can be counter-productive. Especially in the entertainment industry, any publicity is good publicity. If one gripes about a particular show or movie, instead of efforts being brought about to stop its production, people's curiosity will be piqued. They'll want to tune in or buy a ticket to see what all the fuss is about. Then, word spreads like wildfire....a new topic of discussion is unleashed - "Hey, did you see what happened on/in (insert title here)?" Before you know it, it's the talk of the town. And nothing gets people in front of a screen like slapping on the word "controversial".

But I find the best approach to dealing with dumb TV shows and inane films is just to not watch it. A high majority of Hollywood's output is, in my own opinion, total crap. But if other people enjoy seeing "American Idol" or "The Core" or what have you, then more power to them. Who am I to interfere in other people's happiness? I personally have no interest in these kind of offerings. But instead of griping and complaining about what's being offered viewing-wise, I just don't view it. And I don't hold anyone in lower esteem because they happen to like something I do not. To each his or her own.

Instead of devoting my resources to getting all worked up about stupid plots and idiotic dialogue, I'll find something else to occupy my time, like hiking or pornography. I find I'm a much happier person when I'm not sitting in front of the idiot box or the larger, $8-per-ticket-sitting-through-20-minutes-of-previews-and-some-boob-talking-on-their-cell-phone-during-pivotal-scenes version.

Now, if you'll excuse me, the NCAA Tournament is on.