Getting tired of the constant drumbeat of politics day in and day out? Yeah, me too.
Don’t get me wrong; I like writing this column on the weekdays. But I appealed to the Gods on High to give you and me a break on the weekends. And so it was born, Saturday Review.
Yeah, we’ll still write of politics to a point. But more interestingly, of where politics and culture intersect in television, books, film, music, and other venues that influence the culture and thus are key to political communications. Or at least has been since 1960, when Nixon kicked Kennedy’s ass in a debate.
Everyone who heard Nixon on radio thought so. However, Kennedy looked better, had not said anything better, on television and thus was said to have won the contest. We then started on the road where we firmly trod today. A journey that showcases political pop culture lines and personalities to the detriment of the republic. Glitz over thought, emotion over logic.
When art, old or new, rebels against that status quo or falls flat on its face trying to defend those noxious platitudes, we’ll cover it here. Especially the good stuff.
Which brings us to “VET TV,” Comedy Central for the armed forces.
You want a big FU to military PC? You’ve come to the right place. Anyone who has ever donned a military uniform and retained those cultural norms will find this network hilarious and soul-pleasing.
It mercilessly skewers the usual targets like young officers, wanker NCOs, the politically correct military, and the enemy with reckless and hysterical abandon. Shows like “Recruiters,” “Team BAMF,” “The Shop,” and “Meanwhile in the Barracks” are amazing. “Combat Sports Network” treats war as an ESPN-like sports show and is so damned funny you may want to keep a defibrillator handy when you watch it. That is, if you’re active duty, a veteran, or part of the extended military family of spouses, kids, and Mexican prostitutes.
I’ve talked to their founder and CEO Donny O’Malley, a former U.S. Marine captain and a combat vet. After we traded war stories, he of martial conflict and me of watered-down whiskey at the VII Corps O Club, he told me about the mission. May even hopefully bring my warped sensibilities to their deal one of these days.
It’s produced as “the first veteran television network full of dark, perverted, inappropriate, controversial, and irreverent military humor—created by and for veterans, without civilian influence.”
If you’ve ever shaken your head in wonder at the candyass actions and attitudes of civilians, or have ever wanted to use a Claymore directed at the military bureaucracy, this is the television network for you.
Also, and vitally, it’s not easy getting out of uniform for some people. Sharing laughter like this, gut-punching hyperventilating kind of laughter, can help a vet get through a hard time. That’s important, as we have an obligation to our comrades to have their six now and forever.
If watching a scantily clad female NCO merrily cavort, if watching obscenities committed upon a breakfast burrito (uh-huh), if racking up the stats on the Muji Rookie of the Year can forestall those issues, possibly tragic issues, for one of ours then it’s not only good, it’s a bloody national treasure.
Check it out if you’re in uniform, a vet, or interested in such.
As usual, the Coast Guard doesn’t count.
