Underestimated the Viewer Intelligence
This series proved that, contrary to cynical claims, it was actually possible to underestimate the intelligence of the viewing audience.
The premise of the show was that a street-wise cabbie (Shirley) could inherit control of a powerful corporation, and make it a force for "good", where "good" is defined by the envious and illiterate. Shirley would, for example, insist that the corporation which had been extracting profit from the community begin returning that profit to the community, as if trade were a zero-sum game and profit were somehow unfair.
I have no idea whether the writers subscribed to such theories, or were attempting to pander to the worst among us. But, in any event, the worst were sufficiently few in number that the show was cancelled in its first season.
The premise of the show was that a street-wise cabbie (Shirley) could inherit control of a powerful corporation, and make it a force for "good", where "good" is defined by the envious and illiterate. Shirley would, for example, insist that the corporation which had been extracting profit from the community begin returning that profit to the community, as if trade were a zero-sum game and profit were somehow unfair.
I have no idea whether the writers subscribed to such theories, or were attempting to pander to the worst among us. But, in any event, the worst were sufficiently few in number that the show was cancelled in its first season.
- Athanatos
- Jan 23, 2003