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The Waltons creator wrote this episode to combat the rise of reality TV
Earl Hamner, Jr. felt “sickened” by reality TV seen in the Eighties.
When John-Boy lands a job hosting a TV show in The Waltons episode "The Threshold," Jim-Bob immediately sets out to build the family a television set so they can tune in.
This episode was a particularly special episode to The Waltons creator Earl Hamner, Jr. who co-wrote it with his son Scott and considered it a standout of the show’s ninth season.
"In it, the Walton family sees television for the first time," Hamner told The Morning News in 1981. "The episode addresses itself to the potential the medium offers each of us, to its power to move and influence people, to its enormous potential for good, to its awesome ability to communicate, to its value as a medium in which we can celebrate the best of humankind."
TV viewers today streaming reality shows may not exactly see television as the noble medium that Hamner describes, and it might surprise you to know that this episode was specifically written because Hamner wanted to dissuade audiences from making reality TV the future of TV.
Hamner felt "sickened" by early iterations of reality TV in the Eighties.
"Not too long ago, I was flipping the dial and I saw a … man douse himself with chicken fat, then set himself on fire, and dash to a swimming pool in a contest between immolation and salvation," Hamner said. "Thank God, he got there in time, and probably suffered only superficial burns."
Watching this kind of programming share the same air that The Waltons breathed bothered Hamner to the point where he said he wanted to quit writing for TV entirely.
"The event sickened me and forced me to ask myself: how could I remain in a medium where such degradation of the human spirit is possible?" Hamner asked himself. "If television is headed toward such gladiator sports, how can I, with good conscience, dedicate my talent and my energy to it?"
Fortunately for fans of The Waltons who would’ve hated to see Hamner give up writing for TV, Hamner ultimately came to a different conclusion, which was rooted in the same notions of empathy that made watching The Waltons so enjoyable.
"The answer came back that we’re all human, and if there is a baseness in us that will allow ourselves to take pleasure in seeing a man set fire to himself, there is also a part of us that is noble, reaching for the human qualities of compassion, pity, sacrifice, love, decency," Hamner said.
He vowed to keep The Waltons as a sanctuary on the dial, a spot where viewers could depend on him to never appeal to such baseness, but instead to their better judgments.
"Because we have celebrated those values in The Waltons, and because I feel we need to support those values for our audience in a threatening and confusing world, the series is still growing, changing, living," Hamner said. "And while we will never set a person on fire, we may occasionally light a candle to help us see ourselves better."
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33 Comments
This Waltons episode aired 2 April 1981.
"Reality TV" as it's defined today--put a bunch of strangers into a situation, and with some prodding of producers, chaos ensues--didn't get started until the 1990s. But "covering yourself in chicken fat, lighting it on fire and running to a pool" isn't a Big House kind of thing. This is more of a game show challenge on steroids. And we've had decades Truth(bzz)or Consequences, Beat the Clock, and other games shows where you embarrass yourself for money, all of it safe and harmless. I just don't think that this event took place on U.S. TV. The threat of fines from the FCC and the possibility of being sued by the injured contestant would keep producers from letting this happen in the U.S. in the 70s or 80s.
Maybe he saw in on Japan TV.
"Reality TV" as it's defined today--put a bunch of strangers into a situation, and with some prodding of producers, chaos ensues--didn't get started until the 1990s. But "covering yourself in chicken fat, lighting it on fire and running to a pool" isn't a Big House kind of thing. This is more of a game show challenge on steroids. And we've had decades Truth(bzz)or Consequences, Beat the Clock, and other games shows where you embarrass yourself for money, all of it safe and harmless. I just don't think that this event took place on U.S. TV. The threat of fines from the FCC and the possibility of being sued by the injured contestant would keep producers from letting this happen in the U.S. in the 70s or 80s.
Maybe he saw in on Japan TV.
On the other hand, "That's Incredible" had a whole lot of "death defying" idiots jumping helicopters in jet cars, and parasailing motorcyclists, so maybe there was an idiot willing to douse himself in chicken fat just to get on the show.
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I wonder what he thought of The Real World and Survivor? He only died a couple of years ago if I remember correctly. He certainly would have hated America's Got Talent and The Masked Singer with a passion.
Back then there were only two reality shows "That's Incredible" which had repulsive stunts and the relatively harmless "Real People" that started the career of then high school student Byron Allen.
Byron Allen seems to have done well. I'm noticing him in syndicated shows, and I do think back to his beginnings.
Earl Hamner Jr feels the same way I do about reality TV. I think that it brings out the worst traits of humanity.
I feel the same way. The only reality show I let myself indulge in was Dancing with the Stars and now that they got rid of Tom Bergeron, I've not felt the need to watch it's hyped-up version. I'll watch my MeTV, thank you!
I think there's a garbling. Earl Hamner was complaining about tv programming, but it looks like the writer made it "reality". I think the writer is retoactively making what Hamner is talking about "reality tv".
I'm not even sure what programming upset him, whatever it was, I wasn't watching it. It woukd be nice to dig deeper and find specifics.
I'm not even sure what programming upset him, whatever it was, I wasn't watching it. It woukd be nice to dig deeper and find specifics.
I wish The Waltons would've continued on until 1984 after when The Little House of the Prarie canceled in 1983 as they both premiered in 1972 and 74.
So...E-Ham was mad as hell and wasn't going to take any more?
Hamner,Hamner,Hamner. Woot Woot!🏆🏆 Good for him for speaking his mind back then.
I didn't even know they had (so called)reality tv back when The Waltons was on.
But Earl definitely saw the writing on the wall. Along with Newton Minow, who called television America's "Vast wasteland."
Boy if those guys could see television today....
But Earl definitely saw the writing on the wall. Along with Newton Minow, who called television America's "Vast wasteland."
Boy if those guys could see television today....
They'd not only be 'sickened', they'd be throwing up....it's become THAT horrible! Just give me my MeTV, thank you!
One problem I have with this episode: The series timeline ends in 1946 when no one had a TV set, certainly not on Walton's Mountain! He really should have had John-Boy host a radio show, since that was the family's main source of entertainment!
TV was broadcast before WWII. No,tv sets weren't common, but they existed. No growth during WWII.
Butthey'd had radio allalong, how would John Boy getting a radio show mean much? Jason had that love advice.show. Ithink the episode was to show the hope of the future, getting back to normal. The university is given the equipment, they have to show it off. No, few people could had tv sets to receive it, but that's no different from when they broadcast from the 1939 NY World's fair. They had sets at the Fair, and I assume in public setting away from the fair. I'm sure the university had some sets on campus. And Jim Bob got his tv set working, so family and friends coukd come to a watch party.
Someone had started to build a tv set, Jim Bob bought the remains. And he was more capable. I thought he said someone had bought a kit, not likely that early. But a handful did build their own tv sets in the thirties, I've seen the magazine articles
Butthey'd had radio allalong, how would John Boy getting a radio show mean much? Jason had that love advice.show. Ithink the episode was to show the hope of the future, getting back to normal. The university is given the equipment, they have to show it off. No, few people could had tv sets to receive it, but that's no different from when they broadcast from the 1939 NY World's fair. They had sets at the Fair, and I assume in public setting away from the fair. I'm sure the university had some sets on campus. And Jim Bob got his tv set working, so family and friends coukd come to a watch party.
Someone had started to build a tv set, Jim Bob bought the remains. And he was more capable. I thought he said someone had bought a kit, not likely that early. But a handful did build their own tv sets in the thirties, I've seen the magazine articles
Ok ,but here's reality: {1] In 1946, only 3 cities had TV stations: New York, Chicago & Los Angeles! Waltons Mountain was nowhere near either! Also, while there were experimental broadcasts in other cities, there was no method to transmit them more than 35 miles! [2] Yes, it was possible to build your own TV, but it required engineering experience and the ability to find parts! The bottom line: Yes that story was possible but highly unlikely under those circumstances! My guess is that Hamner told this story from The Twilight Zone...LOL!
My dad was an electronics wiz. He learned it in the military. He had friends who would sign-up for a tech correspondence course where the project was to build your own television set. They took the course mainly because it was a cheaper way to get a TV in those days than buying one retail. I have to agree on the timeline though, television would not be available in that area of Virginia until sometime in the mid-fifties.
However for the purpose of that episode " The Threshold,". John Boy was broadcasting from Boatwright University which was 28 miles from Walton's Mountain. He wasn't broadcasting from
New York, Chicago or Los Angeles. The episode wasn't "extrapolating" engineering experience or the availability of parts in the storyline. So under those conditions it would have been possible whether on Walton's Mountain or The Twilight Zone...LOL!
New York, Chicago or Los Angeles. The episode wasn't "extrapolating" engineering experience or the availability of parts in the storyline. So under those conditions it would have been possible whether on Walton's Mountain or The Twilight Zone...LOL!
Yes, it could have happened, BUT in order to get a signal from that distance at that time, they would have needed a HUGE antenna! Again, possible but not probable!
It was a TV show. They weren't portraying possibilities or probabilities. Not just the Walton's but there are programs or series from that time (and before) up to the present that do the same thing for entertainment purposes only.
It's like the man said, you ain't seen nothin' yet.
I wish there wasn't so many reality shows now on TV. That is why I watch MeTv and other channels that don't play reality TV. The shows are ridiculous.
AMEN!
I guess I had stopped watching by the time this episode aired because I don’t remember it. 🤔
I don't remember it either, but I think I dropped out after Season 6 or 7.
I recognize the comment is Earl Hammer Jr.’s. And that it’s the “angle” of this story. But in Mr. Hammer’s perfected reality, this observation needs to be backed up a bit. It isn’t that people are seeing the worst of things, but that people 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒅𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒕. Fast forward to today, and the argument is (essentially) there shouldn’t be as much focus on the horrendous because it encourages others. And that distorted focus by-passes the innocent victims. Interesting, that Mr. Hammer, as an author, wedded to free thinking (and no doubt never burning a book) would be so critical of television. This medium for some reason has always been the step-child of the entertainment family. Probably because of the intimacy created from being invited into people’s front rooms. They feel so connected.
But rather than attacking using the argument of content, with a desire to purify the contributions made to television (even threatening to desert the medium). Why not protect it’s basic freedom, while encouraging the judicial selection of worthy programming. [In the end he did, sort of, by continuing his work]. But ratings (that which is memorable for good or bad) is what drives the game. Human nature will never divorce itself from the duality of good and bad. But we can expect decent people to develop their own conscience about what they wish to support. Which is where (IMO) he needed to focus.
My hunch is that he was showing a bit of creative talent elitism. "𝐼 𝒸𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓉𝑒 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇𝑒𝒻𝑜𝓇𝑒 𝐼 𝒿𝓊𝒹𝑔𝑒." But it's not quite that simple.
Also remember the MeTV story where EHJ went to the extreme of showing his appreciation for some thing, I can’t remember. He was definitely unique in his approach to living.
But rather than attacking using the argument of content, with a desire to purify the contributions made to television (even threatening to desert the medium). Why not protect it’s basic freedom, while encouraging the judicial selection of worthy programming. [In the end he did, sort of, by continuing his work]. But ratings (that which is memorable for good or bad) is what drives the game. Human nature will never divorce itself from the duality of good and bad. But we can expect decent people to develop their own conscience about what they wish to support. Which is where (IMO) he needed to focus.
My hunch is that he was showing a bit of creative talent elitism. "𝐼 𝒸𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓉𝑒 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇𝑒𝒻𝑜𝓇𝑒 𝐼 𝒿𝓊𝒹𝑔𝑒." But it's not quite that simple.
Also remember the MeTV story where EHJ went to the extreme of showing his appreciation for some thing, I can’t remember. He was definitely unique in his approach to living.
His name is spelled Hamner! Stupid commenter! Gosh, did I spell commenter right, eek!
Am I the only one bothered by Jim Bob's raising the antenna in this episode? He can't get reception, so he moves the antenna higher up the mountain. But then runs the cable an incredibly long way. He wouod lose too much signal.
Since I'm nitpicking, unless he got a really good surplus deal, it would have been flat 300 ohm feedline.
Since I'm nitpicking, unless he got a really good surplus deal, it would have been flat 300 ohm feedline.
OMH 😎 Now you're concerned about helping Jim Bob shop, cheaply. Do we really know the distance. And even if they got the most righteous electronics in place, reception would only be as good as the transmitter. And we know nothing about that, or the power of its signal strength. Or, all the obstacles (like maybe the mountain) in the way, in the first place. I mean, didn't they live near the Appalachians or something!
I love the way we all get so invested in television!!
I love the way we all get so invested in television!!
Interesting. I never really thought about it, but I guess shows like That's Incredible! and Real People were reality TV.
If Hamner didn't like those shows, he would have really HATED The Kardashians and The Real Housewifes...LOL!
Rolling in his grave, I suspect!! I've never watched an episode of either...and I'm better for it! Life is short to begin with, why waste it on trash like that!!!
File: under more than you asked for
Index: If curious
https://time.com/4315217/newton-minow-vast-wasteland-1961-speech/
Newton N. Minow: [quote] "When television is good, nothing — not the theater, not the magazines or newspapers — nothing is better. But when television is bad, nothing is worse."
The original intention was noble enough: Newton N. Minow, FCC Chairman, an official address.
https://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/newtonminow.htm
The problem was/is (not in the viewer himself) but that television is a product and a commodity. There is no purpose in it (in terms of investment) unless it generates revenue. Funny though, we do not criticize other products in our marketplace if they do not live up to our expectation. We ignore them. And choose not to purchase. Yet television has (almost) always had a remote control option. And still we feel as if we own the medium, or it owes us something in return. And maybe now, it's less uncomfortable for many viewers, because of dozens of simultaneous options. A person may assume that “Public Broadcasting” was the last, best hope. And thankful for the thoughtful programming it does supply. But the choice of those programs, is still driven by PBS Pledges, and value judgements made by someone else, somewhere along the line. In order to reach the airwaves!
In the beginning, at least in the Sixties, TV Guide (was an ordinary little magazine listing) whose contributors attempted to critique all new offerings scheduled every single September. Nobody has to be reminded of how many of those entries were seriously panned, and yet have become our classic TV staples.
What was missing? Television isn’t and has never been “theater-worthy” where an individual's choice is purchased directly by the theater-goer (consumer). But that was exactly that person’s vote! And Broadway lives or dies on those choices. It is a very direct and consequential connection.
Television is a complicated exchange, however. Ultimately a select few “Network Executives” try to guess (and fail 70% of the time) what will be the viewer’s choice of entertainment. The viewers weren’t watching TV to be (necessarily) enlightened or elevated. They were clearly watching to escape everyday issues, pure and simple. And whichever Show did it in the best way possible, were the ones that survived. It was a very simple equation. And we can thank them today, for their vote! Because, it’s free to us.
Do we question the method of valuation, then? Would we get better selections if people paid for individual selections? Or, are we grateful there's an electronic-land of endless choices for everyone. With minimum effort to consume.
Index: If curious
https://time.com/4315217/newton-minow-vast-wasteland-1961-speech/
Newton N. Minow: [quote] "When television is good, nothing — not the theater, not the magazines or newspapers — nothing is better. But when television is bad, nothing is worse."
The original intention was noble enough: Newton N. Minow, FCC Chairman, an official address.
https://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/newtonminow.htm
The problem was/is (not in the viewer himself) but that television is a product and a commodity. There is no purpose in it (in terms of investment) unless it generates revenue. Funny though, we do not criticize other products in our marketplace if they do not live up to our expectation. We ignore them. And choose not to purchase. Yet television has (almost) always had a remote control option. And still we feel as if we own the medium, or it owes us something in return. And maybe now, it's less uncomfortable for many viewers, because of dozens of simultaneous options. A person may assume that “Public Broadcasting” was the last, best hope. And thankful for the thoughtful programming it does supply. But the choice of those programs, is still driven by PBS Pledges, and value judgements made by someone else, somewhere along the line. In order to reach the airwaves!
In the beginning, at least in the Sixties, TV Guide (was an ordinary little magazine listing) whose contributors attempted to critique all new offerings scheduled every single September. Nobody has to be reminded of how many of those entries were seriously panned, and yet have become our classic TV staples.
What was missing? Television isn’t and has never been “theater-worthy” where an individual's choice is purchased directly by the theater-goer (consumer). But that was exactly that person’s vote! And Broadway lives or dies on those choices. It is a very direct and consequential connection.
Television is a complicated exchange, however. Ultimately a select few “Network Executives” try to guess (and fail 70% of the time) what will be the viewer’s choice of entertainment. The viewers weren’t watching TV to be (necessarily) enlightened or elevated. They were clearly watching to escape everyday issues, pure and simple. And whichever Show did it in the best way possible, were the ones that survived. It was a very simple equation. And we can thank them today, for their vote! Because, it’s free to us.
Do we question the method of valuation, then? Would we get better selections if people paid for individual selections? Or, are we grateful there's an electronic-land of endless choices for everyone. With minimum effort to consume.