Date: Tue, 21 May 2002 14:14:07 -0400
From: "Michael Walsh" <MJW at mail.press.jhu.edu>
To: <WSFAlist at keithlynch.net>
Subject: [WSFA] Re: MASH (Was: Grit and Punk)
Reply-To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at keithlynch.net>

> sgs at aginc.net 05/21/02 11:13AM
>
>>"Strong, Lee" wrote:
>>
>>         Ted White provided histories of "grit" and "punk" in response =
to my
>> question What realities do "grit" and "punk" reveal.  He asked if I =
would
>> consider "M*A*S*H" noir?  Answer:  Based on my extremely limited =
viewing of
>> the program, and Ted's definition of "noir", No.
>
>Hmm.  My understanding was that "noir" was a visual description, as
>opposed to a matter of plot or theme.  I think of "Casablanca" as the
>prototype "noir" film -- black & white, lots of dark (as in low-light)
>scenes, with large masses of undiffereintiatd single shades. [1]
>
>MASH (the movie) was a very dark (not noir) comedy.  One of the best
>ever, IMHO.  The TV show was Yet Another Sitcom.  I can't watch sitcoms
>-- I haven't watched them in so long that I no longer understand the
>conventions.  To me, sitcoms are kabuki -- it's obvious that the actors
>are doing something purposeful with a great deal of skill.  It's not at
>all apparent what it's supposed to mean.

Ah, sort of like Sports Entertainment Wrestling on cable?

mjw