NBC's just not that into you
If self-help is so effective at what it's supposed to do, then why is there so much evidence that Americans, and the society they inhabit, are so screwed up?
That's the principle question from Steve Salerno's book "SHAM: How the Self-Help Movement Made America Helpless." He writes that self-help gurus "refuse to be held accountable even when they harm the very individual consumers whom they lure in with grand promises of transformation, happiness, and success. Invariably, in fact, they project the blame back on the individual. ... If (their program) doesn't transform your life, it's not because the program is ineffective. It's because you're unworthy."
I've spoken to enough book publicists to understand that self-help authors are among the most psychotic and needy people on the planet. And there's plenty of literature suggesting that the self-help industry helps only those who write the books, including Salerno's book, which takes Tony Robbins to task.
So, what has NBC, in its infinite wisdom and its far-more-limited concern for its viewers, chosen to do?
It's developing a reality show based on Tony Robbins' precepts.
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About this blog
David Kronke was appointed Mayor of Television after a bloodless coup in 2000. Since then, he has improved infrastructure, championed greater educational opportunities and fought for reforms that have utterly erased corruption and incompetence from the television industry. Since Mr. Kronke has ascended to power, Television is a far better place.
94.3% of these authors live in Marin.
Mayor Kronke, thanks for the plug. But you gotta admit, it's highly unlikely that anyone would ever develop a series around reality--by which I mean real reality, not the highly scripted/plotted/focus-group-tested kind that you see on so-called reality shows.
I have an idea for a show: Why not have a woman from humble beginnings rise to incredible prominence and influence on the platform of telling other women that they're "empowered!" and "can do anything they set their minds to!" and that "nothing is beyond your grasp!"...and then have that woman be forced to admit that her romantic relationship is problematic and she's not really all that happy, and in truth, she can't even so much as control her own weight, so really, she's just like the rest of us, except richer...oh wait. We already have that. It's called Oprah. ;)