Seems like I got cancer just in time for its network debut. Lucky me. I’m all for raising awareness and money all in the name of defeating cancer and I’m sure both were accomplished tonight but prime-time, network television just doesn’t have the moral weight, for me, to carry this message with the sincerity it deserves.
Although this was billed as a commercial-free hour (which of course means it was equivalent in content to a 90 minute program and what must be seen by us as the ultimate sacrifice) I couldn’t reconcile that with the image of Halle Berry, a well-known Revlon spokesperson since 1996, standing in front of a huge Revlon “billboard” proclaiming Revlon’s support for curing cancer for women. It sure looked like an advertisement to me. And a major theme of this program was supporting collaborative efforts to find a cure for all cancers, not just cancers effecting women. There were two other plugs for associations, one supporting cures for prostate cancer and another for women in latin america - again kind of a divergence.
Another shortcoming was the handling of screening for both colon and prostate cancer. The target audience for education about screening are those who haven’t done it yet. By using comic skits with Homer Simpson, Charles Barkley, and Brad Garrett, the obvious potty humor and out of skit banter between host Katie Couric and Barkley all combined to reinforce the perception of the general public that screening is unpleasant, and therefore, should be avoided.
On the plus side, they used statistics well, presented touching, personal cancer stories, and gave sound advice on how to avoid getting cancer.
Another oddity were the political statements by John McCain and Barack Obama. It was interesting how the crowd cheered for Obama but their reaction was non-existent for McCain. Then there was the anti-war statement from the guy who donated $25 million who said the war on cancer is the only war he supports which received a roar from the crowd. Are only Democrats interested in curing cancer?
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Both McCain and Obama released plans for dealing with cancer on that day as well. McCain’s said almost nothing, while Obama’s was very well thought out including doubling research funding, increasing access to screening, etc. This is reason #253 to vote for Obama.
Comment by Cary — 2008.09.07 @ 8:29 am