More than meets the eye

"John Pungente has dedicated his career to the proposition that we are smarter than our television sets - notwithstanding some evidence to the contrary. Martin O'Malley for many years dedicated his television-watching time to nothing but baseball. Under Pungente's guidance, however, he has now discovered that there are other delights for the discriminating viewer. Together, in More than Meets the Eye, they offer readers an entertaining guide to critical viewing." "There is nothing wrong with television itself, as the authors see it: it's all part of our common culture. We may enjoy some programs more than others and some programs are certainly better made than others, but they all tell us something interesting about ourselves." "Controversial themes are tackled head-on. In a chapter entitled "Buy Me That" the authors deal with rampant commercialism, from toy-driven cartoons to product placement on sitcoms. (It's no accident that Walker, Texas Ranger, drives a Dodge pickup truck.) In "He Shoots, He Kills!" the authors argue that the issue of violence on television often misses the point - that news reports and professional sports may be far more disturbing than Buffy the Vampire Slayer or Beasties. And, in "Bishop Sheen Touches an Angel, " the authors delve into the complex issue of values, both religious and secular, that are purveyed as part of television's daily fare." "This is a thoughtful, insightful, and often surprising guide for worried parents, occasional couch potatoes, and all the rest of us who may think we sometimes spend too much time in front of the great "glass teat." Book jacket."--Jacket.