The Philanthropist

.....but Nigeria and Burma are not household words here. Thanks to THE PHILANTHROPIST, American television entertainment may have just taken a humanitarian turn for the better, while still providing solid entertainment.

This can't help but be a good thing, and I sincerely hope this show is successful. It's entertaining enough, so I remain optimistic.

One thing I noticed, the lens through which we view the rest of the world, so far, isn't filtered by American values. What we see are simple human values. This is a good approach, I think.

Our protagonist, emotionally devastated over the death of his son, is driven to help those who are also suffering, especially children. That this takes place on the world's stage is quite unusual for American television, and long overdue.

I've enjoyed the first two episodes and been moved by them as well. This is what a dramatic series should do.

The Philanthropist may not win Emmys or Golden Globes but it does something that only shows like Frontline or 60 Minutes. Yes, it's fiction and not hard fact based like those good news magazines.

But hopefully what it does is take real-world problems and show them to people who wouldn't normally watch a television news magazine. It's worth keeping a show that allows the viewers to see beyond their white picket fences or even beyond the person in front of them while waiting at the unemployment benefits line.

We are indeed in one of the worst economic situations we've had in decades. But we ought to always look at it in perspective: It could ALWAYS be worse. I think we Americans, with nearly a century of prosperity and a relatively isolated geography, have forgotten to look beyond our borders. We, the middle class - and even the upper lower class, are likely still better off than 90% of the global population.

This fictional drama depicts real global issues. Slavery in Haiti, dictatorships in Burma, human trafficking in Eastern Europe (and really, even in the US)... These things are real and the average person probably doesn't know anything more than the fact that these things exist. I think that this show helps frame these issues to connect emotionally with the audience (such as it is). Whatever helps.

We complain about the "high" price of gas or milk but we don't live in a country where a cup of rice is all we have in a DAY. Though many say that the government is too socialized, know that it's only because it cares that its people live with at least a certain level of human welfare; that though some will take advantage of it, the vast majority of recipients need the help and deserve it. A society can be judged on how it takes care of those who cannot take care of themselves (the homeless, elderly, mentally handicapped...). Our people should also be judged on our awareness of others beyond our shores.

If this show has opened even one set of eyes to the problems out there then it's done its job. It's not asking any one of us to solve the problem but to be more than just superficially aware. What we do as a society - is up to us.

We can appreciate how good we have it even when it seems bleak and still seek to help those worse off than us, or we can pity ourselves because we can no longer afford the 2+ bedroom house we think we deserve (vs. an apartment) and ignore the human beings who may not even own their own lives.

If one has to argue whose the best at what they do when it comes to helping the little guys, it'll be either Batman, Iron Man, or anyone in between and that somebody is James Purefoy, which is what we get in NBC's new drama The Philanthropist. Although both Bruce Wayne and Tony Stark have their ways of helping the world aside from their "other jobs", this new guy is much more realistic.

Purefoy stars as Teddy Rist, a billionaire with a flair for money and women, things all men desire (and who wouldn't want to walk in this man's shoes) and admire in men among men who stand head and shoulders above the rest. Taking into account of a recent deal gone on in the auspices of his company, as well as his relationship with friend and business partner, and his wife, he sets out on a journey of redemption following the loss of his beloved son a few years ago. At first he seems rather jumpy and a bit paranoid about the trip, but a chance encounter with a little African boy amidst a raging hurricane gives him a new outlook on life and thus he sets out on an adventure of redemption and genuine good within his heart.

This show works for two reasons: One is the charm and charisma of the lead character. Two, the hero of the story is more grounded in reality on par with Batman; albeit a little different (obviously) considering the fact that despite comparisons to certain superheroes/pop-culture icons, one cannot help but fathom the interesting notion of Bruce Wayne being in a similar, but different approach to righting the wrongs in society and it is because of this that The Philanthropist is a unique show. No fancy costumes or martial arts, high-tech gadgets, just a ordinary guy with a lot of cash helping those in need. A neat twist in a sea of reality TV, corporate dreck so prevalent in todays market.

As it stands, the pilot sets up the characters and their personalities really well, giving the show a sense of believability and groundedness while also tossing in a few subplots along the way with a nice, steady flow of ease with moments of humor that doesn't come at the expense of genuine character development although to be fair some of it does seem rather forced and out of place. Nevertheless, things are kept at a steady pace and you are more involved with the character and those whom he comes into contact with. The only sore spot, for me at least, is Neve Campbell. I don't dislike her character entirely, but her performance needs to be ironed out more and a little more natural. With that perk aside, the rest of the acting is overall good.

But there's another thing that I really liked about the show and that's the cinematography from the glass and steel of NYC to the back streets of African towns and lush jungles; creating a stark contrast to the corporate offices of Rist's company headquarters. All give the show a sense of culture and adventure with the suspense coming mostly of Rist's perilous trek through Africa while avoiding a life/death encounter with some local MP's and poisonous snakes on his way to deliver medicine to a village where he meets up with an old friend of sorts.

This is the most original show to come out on NBC despite canceling so many high quality series that never got the recognition they deserved. If anything, The Philanthropist shows being human and caring for others is much more important than material wealth, which in context, is something that network TV should learn if it wants to reclaim audiences that have disappeared, if not entirely, from the airwaves.

The Philanthropist is one of the best shows currently NOT on television. This show is a great example of how two different ideologies (for lack of a better word) – capitalism and philanthropy – can coexist and work together effectively. In fact, the show not only demonstrates philanthropy and giving of oneself but it also shares ideas about how to solve tough social and economic problems by encouraging job stability in war torn and poverty stricken areas. Name another TV show that does that.

We need to keep this show on the air and that is why a number of supporters of the show have started a cause on Facebook called "Save the Philanthropist through Charity". You have to search for us through the Causes application on Facebook, not the regular Facebook search box. With the support of fans, we know we can convince NBC to reverse their decision to cancel the show.

I was surprised that some people think this show is a dog and deserves to be scrapped, that the scripts are unrealistic and this stuff could never happen in the real world. I think they are missing the point. Ask yourself this: How many dramas or any type of show can you name, in television land, that even mention philanthropy? How many promote giving of oneself? How many shows inspire the normally uninspired masses to even think about what goes on outside of our fantasy land of the U.S.A.?

Sure, this show has unrealistic plots, portrays a myopic view of world issues, has obvious product placement, and other faults but that is what pays the bills. Without these things this show would never had been made or even hit the airwaves and if it changes the life of even one person, especially one from the class of nouveau riche, it will have done a service to humanity. Sure it is flawed but there is enough truth to it to bring people back and maybe change their lives. It is all about the message, not the messenger. I do so hope NBC will let this one live.