America 1982-Chapter 273 - 8: We Understand Humanistic Care Better_2
BT Television was no exception, sticking to the norm. Besides a news program, a weather segment, and a black talk show, all other shows were prepared to collaborate with the large TV production departments of Hollywood movie companies.
However, the result of the first encounter was somewhat unexpected, at least for Rick and Tommy, because it wasn’t that they didn’t choose a production company, but that the production companies refused to work with them.
"I probably met with four TV production companies this week, talked about our program needs, including the location, the personnel, and the messages we wanted to convey through the program," Rick said, sitting across from Tommy with a complex expression, letting out a dejected sigh:
"Then all four companies said they’d think about it and get back to us, to see if they would be willing to help with production, Tommy, this is just a polite way of saying they’re not interested in taking our money."
Tommy looked at Rick with an innocent face, "Why? Because they only take noble money, and every cent of mine is filled with blood and sweat, and they can’t bear to exploit me?"
"Quite the opposite, first, the total production cost we provided was too low for them to be interested, and second, they didn’t want to ruin their reputation." Rick rubbed his face, looking at Tommy.
Tommy’s eyes gradually widened as he asked Rick, "Ruin their reputation? How would helping BT Television with a reality show ruin their reputation?"
"Actually, I’m putting it mildly. What they said was even more hurtful," Rick said quietly.
Tommy said nonchalantly, "Don’t worry, I can take it, tell me what they said."
"They said they would rather help shoot racy films than produce our reality show filled with ill will towards black people," Rick looked at Tommy, "I hope you don’t mind."
"Did you say something racially discriminatory, Rick? We are a black television station, we give voice to black people, we strive for social equality for black people! ’Born equal’ is a value deeply ingrained in all of us at the station! What the hell do they mean by saying our reality show is filled with ill will towards black people!" Tommy was initially stunned, then angrily questioned.
With a complicated expression, Rick looked at Tommy and hesitated to speak, "’Finding Daddy in America’, right, that reality show with distant location shooting you personally named. A show with such demanding production work requires collaboration with a big company, but sadly, they’re not interested. After analyzing it, their staff thinks that BT Television is selling a distorted image of black people to audiences as a gimmick, and they don’t want to be boycotted by black viewers, to avoid trouble. Once targeted by black people for racial discrimination, their competitors in the industry will immediately add fuel to the fire and seize the opportunity to attack them. They don’t want to suffer such potential consequences. Moreover, they don’t think there is a humanistic side to black fathers reuniting with their spouses and children; you clearly want the comedic effect that comes from ripping open the wounds of black people and making the audience laugh."
Tommy opened his mouth, then lowered his head and was silent for a few seconds, eventually unable to restrain himself, he looked up at Rick, "Do you think when they reunite, it will reflect the deep humanistic care of Americans?"
"You don’t need ’deep’ as a prefix, it has nothing to do with humanistic care at all. We all know, if black wives and children can’t find their husband or father, it’s because he has run away, abandoned them. The sight of one party not wanting to reunite only excites viewers to see the man’s frantic expression, just like what those production companies said, it’s just a ruthless comedy show that makes viewers laugh by tearing open the other’s wounds," Rick said confidently.
"Do you think I am that shallow, vulgar scum, Rick? Look into my eyes, hey! Look into my eyes! Look at me!" Tommy tapped the table discontentedly, signaling Rick to look at him.
Rick sighed and looked up at his boss, who was absolutely filled with ill will toward black people, "So what? Boss, if you hope to see nobility, profundity, and purity in your eyes, I might need to confess to God first before I can please you."
"You’re the damn shallow ones, and then maliciously speculate that everyone else is like you. If your stick is broken, it doesn’t mean that other men in the world can’t get it up either, Rick. Remember that, and then pass on the message to those in charge of the companies that refused us." Tommy’s chest rose and fell several times, apparently truly infuriated by Rick’s words. He closed his eyes to calm down for a moment, then opened them again and looked at Rick earnestly, "I don’t deny that the program I designed has a certain comedic effect. Black people like comedy, like conflict, we need to give them what they want to see. If I start off telling them about humanistic care, do you think they will thank me for teaching them or curse at the screen saying ’What the fuck is this stupid TV station doing?’ and then change the channel? That’s why we need to give them what they want to see first, to give them anticipation. They’re looking forward to seeing the women and children find the husband, to see what kind of expression that unlucky husband will have. Up until this point, I admit it’s more about drama than anything else, but I haven’t finished talking."
"But normally, if an episode ends there, it would be assumed to be over," Rick said.
