Written by Rachel Decker

It’s time. I know many of you were hoping that we could avoid this moment, that we could avoid discussing reality television in general and, in particular, the ultimate in fan mania and mindless entertainment: American Idol. But for better or worse, American Idol has changed the music industry. It has changed the concept of interactive television viewing. It has changed the world. The change it has brought about does not necessarily match what we all hope for in the idealism of youth. Instead, we are confronted by American Idol’s all-consuming presence in pop culture. No matter where your water cooler is, conversation around it at any given time is likely permeated by American Idol love, hate, or something in between.

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Written by Blake Atwood

Undercover Boss is a show where the boss of a major corporation goes to work at the ground level of his/her business. The first episode of Undercover Boss follows President and COO of Waste Management, Larry O'Donnell, as he dons the uniform of an entry-level employee at his own company. Larry, a.k.a. Randy, works five different jobs in five separate areas of his company, from recycling remover and landfill trash collector, to garbage truck ride-along and cleaner of port-a-potties. Along the way, he meets and works for the very same people that work for him. None of them know his true identity. Consequently, his employees hold nothing in reserve in regards to their honest opinions on their jobs and their company.



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Written by Rachel Decker

I know RELEVANT doesn’t do sports. Normally, that works out quite well for me because I don’t either. I enjoy watching them in moderation. I’m aware of the big names and big games. I occasionally watch the highlights. I play sports … um … never. I guess you could say I have a casual interest in most major sporting events, but rarely much excitement.  Still, sports have dominated my television viewing since the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver on Feb. 12th. There has been no better drama on television.

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Written by Rachel Decker

I am not what anyone would consider a loyal fan of the NBC Thursday night comedy lineup. I really never have been, but particularly since the final episode of Friends I have lost more and more awareness of what NBC even has to offer on Thursday nights … until now. Writing a regular column about television has forced me to plug back in to what, for many, has become a television-viewing institution. And honestly, I just don't get it.

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Written by Rachel Decker

In my last column, I said I was looking forward to seeing the new Fox mid-season drama Human Target. Although that wasn’t exactly a recommendation of the show, the statement still felt risky. After seeing the first two episodes, I feel I owe you a deeper analysis—maybe an apology. A few weeks and episodes have left me searching for words to articulate all that I hoped I would see and didn’t. Human Target is every scene the action-packed drama that I expected with, as yet, none of the well-crafted human characters and conflicts that allow viewers to see themselves in the stories—something I consciously look for in the shows I write about, but more importantly, something I think many of us gravitate toward in the shows that become our favorites.

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Written by Rachel Decker

Looking back on TV in the year that was, and forward to what's next

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Written by Rachel Decker

Confession: I am tempted to write an entire column inviting you to not watch television with me from now until New Years Rockin’ Eve. With the exception of favorite Christmas movies watched in the company of family and friends, which have over time become an integral part of our celebrations, TV seems so insignificant at this time of year. I don’t know about you but the holidays remind me of the importance of living rather than watching. Also, while I have certainly not seen every television representation of Christmas on offer this season, so far I’m disappointed in what I’ve seen. Christmas is so much bigger than family traditions or workplace parties or theological technicalities. Christmas is a time to consider both how the birth of Jesus changed the world forever and how our own actions impact our corner of the world every day. If you (like me) often feel best able to ponder these questions apart from the distraction of television, by all means, turn it off and enjoy the season. If that approach doesn’t resonate with you, try watching the latest episode of Fox’s crime drama Bones, titled “The Goop on the Girl.” This show at least acknowledges the possibility of a deeper meaning in the Christmas holiday.

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Written by Rachel Decker

It’s that time of year again. Santa Claus arrived on 34th Street in New York City amid the usual fanfare of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade—evidence to all that the holiday season is upon us. Something that might not be quite as obvious as Santa’s presence is the whirlwind of commercial and culinary celebration that has, for better or worse, come to define the holidays as much as a jolly man in a red suit or even a baby in a manger. One thing is certain: no matter what we celebrate this time of year or exactly how we celebrate it, the holidays invariably turn our thoughts and our travels toward home. 

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Written by Christy Gualtieri

Getting into House after it's been on the air for four seasons is a little like thinking you're getting to a party late to be fashionable, when you're really just ... late. Everyone's eaten dinner and all that's left is the celery that garnished the boneless chicken wings that used to be there. Luckily, in keeping with the food analogy, House is like pizza: good when it's hot and fresh, and even better when eaten the next day cold and for breakfast.

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Written by Rachel Decker

Anna (Morena Baccarin), high commander of the visitors on ABC’s V, concludes every speech she makes, regardless of the audience, with the statement, “We are of peace, always.” As it turns out, the visitors embrace censorship, value moral compromise, and stir conflict, under this banner. As I watched, though, I couldn’t help but think about what it would be like if that was actually true. Okay, so the show would be less exciting—a lot less exciting, but in our lives … How much better would our lives be if we really gave ourselves to living out “We are of peace, always”? This I know for sure: we have yet only seen scattered glimpses of what could be.

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