I know my husband gets a bit annoyed about my new evening TV viewing. I went from not being able to watch without getting really upset to now laughing. It’s become my new comedy hour. Every night.
What am I talking about?
It’s the show that happens in the Press room of the White House.
It happens like this: President Trump starts off with trying to stick to the written script. He reads it fast with no expression. Then he notices something that catches him just enough to go off-script. The comedy starts. He reminds the press that he never gets patted on the back for anything he does that is good. I mean, why don’t the reporters write about all the wonderful things HE did? Wait – not good. It’s perfect. In fact, it’s probably the best ever done. The most ever done. The biggest numbers ever. Somehow he finds a way to go on about this, on and on for ten minutes or more.
Then, there is a pause and he looks back down at his script and reads a bit more. Then back to repeat the above.
While this is going on, it’s fun to watch the people around him. Standing too close at first (completely forgetting the safe distancing rule.) Now, they sit to the side, but still too close. It used to be fun to watch the facial expressions from these people, but they have learned to stay straight faced in front of the cameras. But, I can still sometimes tell when the president says something that goes against what they believe. It’s hard to stop initial facial reactions. Eyes surprised. Maybe looking down. I remember my term paper in college about reading body language. Yes, a lot is said when not even talking.
The next part of the show starts when the actual scientists and specialists stand up and give their daily briefing. They are ‘matter of fact’ but the president sometimes interrupts. If he doesn’t, watch him anyway. He stands off to the side but still on camera and he gloats. Or, maybe it is just the face that a narcissist always displays. The chin up, a little smirk on the face. Because, you know, he KNOWS everything about everything. And he has told us that. Except when he decides to say “I’m not a doctor…. but…. ” . He also likes to show films about himself.
The serious part of the hour is when Vice President Pence comes forward and starts every time with showing a bit of compassion to those afflicted with the virus and to those families who have lost loved ones. Thank you for that. He looks sincere. Then of course he stresses how EVERYTHING being done is at the direction of the president. This is called ‘kiss up’ time. It happens every time and often by many on the show. There is a lot I do not like about VP Pence (basically all that he stands for) but I have to admit he is the most honest part of the show.
My favorite part of all though? You have to wait for it when you watch. It comes towards the end. It is when the president opens it up for questions from the reporters. Now, let me say first, I admire them because they sit day after day and listen with serious faces. I believe they really do take their jobs seriously. It’s an honor to be a White House reporter. They have worked hard for it. The major networks send seasoned reporters. I have noticed a few others in the room are younger, from less known publications or media outlets. Are they plants? I hope not. But I sometimes wonder. Anyway – They have questions prepared, but they also have to be alert to catch incomplete info, or to notice some different viewpoints that come from the speakers. That’s their job. They are there to push back a little to give the American people as much truth as possible. Does it look like they are out to get Trump? Well, if you don’t want him to get tough questions then you might think so. But, reporters need to ask the hard questions. If they don’t, nobody will.
Our president seems to love this part of the show too. He loves to belittle individual reporters on national TV and he knows that they can’t defend themselves. It’s pretty childish but he does it often. He loves to call entire news organizations fake and liars. It’s easy for him to spew meanness. It used to really, really bother me. But now I laugh. He goes so low to make himself look good. No… Not good – perfect. Probably almost the best president ever.
The Coronavirus 19 pandemic is absolutely the worse thing for him and his staff, and for all of us to have to deal with, daily working hard for the right answers. It’s not a game – but unfortunately sometimes it feels like it to me when I watch on TV. And this is the nightly game show – with an inept host. (It’s funny because he loves to say the host before him is the one who is at fault for everything. The ole blame someone else routine.) But, yes, he makes me laugh. Because he keeps playing his game – each day.
Just like I used to love Sean Spicer when he was Press Secretary because I enjoyed never knowing what he would say, and how he would tell us about the ‘alternative facts’ – I now find this comedy show just as good.
Yes, my hubby tells me I watch it too much – but when it’s on, and he walks through the room he stops and laughs too. And, seriously, I really hope the show doesn’t go on much longer. Please oh please. Some networks have already decided to stop carrying it from start to finish. My sincere hope is that we will no longer need the show because the virus will be contained and a vaccine will be available. I pray our scientists and medical specialists find a cure. I also pray that we have learned from this that we need to prepare for the next time.
Until then tho my evening TV viewing will remain the same.
PS: This is VERY different from the rallies that will eventually return. When they start being televised again I will NOT watch. Those are the egotist’s love fests, filled with his lies, with scary worship, and with people unable to see beyond the bells and whistles. They think the problem is me.
Marla’s Musings 