You know how on The Office characters are often shown alone in a room looking straight into the camera and confiding things to the home audience? First, we see them in some sort of mostly public situation that stresses the comedy of embarrassment. Next, there they are by themselves in a room facing the camera and saying something honest, something candid, something understated and funny. They naturally assume that all of life is being videoed all the time. They can't really turn to the camera when in company, but all the while they are living life they know we're watching and waiting for them to be alone, to turn to the camera, and to clue us in. We share their secrets and situations. They know there's a smart audience somewhere watching the movie of their life.
Nice concept.
Lately, I've been seeing the advantages of following suit. Seems like a good coping strategy. And how can I really be sure that there isn't some home audience somewhere tuned in just waiting for me to swivel in my expensive office chair toward some camera location only I know about and say, "You know, I would make a really lousy dean. I know that. I'm not enough detail oriented. I'm not political. I'm not good at brokering deals. I would be in way over my head. But if I get one more email like this [tapping the monitor], I'm sneaking over to the Academy late at night and covering the MacArthur statue with Obama stickers."
See? You can almost hear them in their living rooms. And you've vented. And you feel better. Almost.
Comments (6)
There isn't an audience? Man, I've wasted a lot of great speeches. I think covering MacArthur with Obama stickers is a fabulous idea. Very cathartic. I'd fly back just to help.
I've often thought the same thing. My friends and I often joke that my life would make great fodder for a sitcom.
I am Molly, Addie's sister. I have very much enjoyed reading your posts lately.
@guarogirl - Thank you, Addie's sister!
And that is why I LOVE The Office! Josh and I swear that Dwight is one of the ex-HPU students. We soooooooooooooooooo have him pegged. Everytime we watch the office we leave thinking and talking about how much Dwight is ________________________. It is GREAT!
the fourth wall was created to break it!
I love how Woody Allen does it so frequently. In your speach at the faculty dinner you reminded me of Woody Allen, Dr Romig agrees as well.