Stupid Strike, Be More Funny

The Common Man is glad that The Daily Show and Colbert Report are back in time for the actual primaries, and is going to use this as an excuse to talk about the Writers' Strike that caused the shows to go on hiatus.

Of course, there are more compelling problems in the world today. Pakistan seems to be sloughing toward a meltdown. Iraq, though much improved, is still a dangerous place for our troops. Burma continues to violently restrict its citizens freedom. The budget deficit grows ever larger. Gay people still, for reasons that defy logic, can't enjoy the legal benefits of marriage. And, most disturbing, The Common Man had a bomb go off in his knee over Christmas that will require reconstructive surgery. It's a dangerous and confusing world.

That said, on top of everything else, the writers' strike is adding metaphorical insult to literal injury. Television's distracted America from national crises since Lucy was trying to get into Dezi's club (what Cold War? Those crazy Cubans). It's a time honored tradition and, frankly, The Common Man isn't sure that Americans know how to cope without it. The added stress of actually paying attention to the world around them could have any number of repercussions. Traffic jams around the water cooler, as working Americans first try to figure out what to talk about. Arguments between family members who have to talk to one another. Children facing the dangers of sexual predators and fast-moving traffic by having to play outside. Frankly, it's a nightmare.

Already, desperate Americans are turning to any crap to satisfy their cravings for electron-based entertainment. American Gladiators, for instance, is back (and is far more terrible than The Common Man remembers). Crowned, Deal or No Deal, and that damned show with a lie detector are all stepping in to fill the void left by House, Heroes, Reaper (the show you need to start watching) and The Office. As Americans continue to debase themselves by watching and accepting more crap, they will make it easier for networks to put crap out there. And the only good TV left will be on HBO.

Fortunately, The Common Man and The Uncommon Wife anticipated this crisis months ago, and began stockpiling shows on their Tivo that they wanted to watch, but didn't have time for. They have 11 episodes of Desperate Housewives and 10 of Grey's Anatomy to keep them occupied (and probably disappointed) until the strike is resolved.

Until then, The Common Man urges you to buy stock in Netflix. And to watch this to understand why the strike matters and why you should care, if you haven't already: Why We Fight.