So You Think You Can ...Wait?

This Tuesday, while I should have been curled up on my friend's couch with a cold beer and the promise of heated discussion following the president's speech, my debate partner and I opted instead to spend the night in the wet cold, and eventually the warm rain (as Florida's schizophrenic winter weather goes), trying to jimmy the door of my car open enough for a wire hanger to fit through. We spent two hours trying to get it in, and then carefully jabbing at the thick plastic lock. Turns out, the crooks in the movies make it look much easier than it is.

As 8:15 rolled around and we were no better off than when we started, I began to complain about missing the president's speech. His girlfriend, who had to give us a ride to my car after his tire went flat, looked at the time and suddenly realized she was missing an important televised event as well: "So You Think You Can Dance?" was on!

Well, actually, it wasn't. For the first time in several months, the Fox network carried the president's speech in the prime 8 o'clock slot, and, shocking!- bumped back their golden "reality" show a whole half hour! The network had previously snubbed the president more than once in favor of the dancing competition, and, of course, its ad revenue, on President Obama's 100th day in office, and again during his speech to Congress on health-care reform. They were the only major network to do so both times.

So what's behind the change of heart? Maybe they figured the bad PR wasn't worth it, with the speech running only half an hour this time. Maybe the pressure by the White House to shape up got to them, and they didn't want to lose anymore interview opportunities with the president. Maybe they grew a sense of shame and didn't want to run a tacky contest show while the other networks were giving the president time to outline important policy decisions for war.

Yes, most TV is just as bad. "SYTYCD?" is not the stand-out in hammy, trivial entertainment, and I know we all have the need for mindless escapism. But if you're particular thrill comes from watching feathered and sparkle-fied dancers cat-fight and get voted off, perhaps you could Tivo your favorite show until after the president announces his plan for another Middle-Eastern disaster.

And then maybe you could help me out with the $50 I spent on pop-a-lock to get my keys out of my car. Hey, we can't all be geniuses. You know. You watch "SYTYCD?".