…but subliminal messages?
Attorneys for
television talk show host David Letterman want a judge to quash arestraining order granted to a Santa Fe woman who contends the celebrity used code words to show that he wanted to marry her and train her as his co-host.A state judge granted a temporary restraining order to Colleen Nestler, who alleged in a request filed last Thursday that Letterman has forced her to go bankrupt and caused her “mental cruelty” and “sleep deprivation” since May 1994.
Nestler’s application for a restraining order was accompanied by a six-page typed letter in which she said Letterman used code words, gestures and “eye expressions” to convey his desires for her.
And people wonder why we have frivolous litigation in the US.
WTF was wrong with the judge in this case? Isn’t there a certain degree of oh, I don’t know, logic and demonstrable threat that has to be proved? I could see it if the woman alleged Letterman were emailing, calling, or otherwise contacting her.
But talking to her through her tv- IN CODE?
Truth (or in this case, court-recorded allegations) is stranger than fiction.
Sounds like it’s Letterman that might need a restraining order against her.
This can be tested rather easily: take away her television set and see if the “transmissions” stop.
Lachlan, this lady (hi lach) obviously was receiving (how are you?) some sort of signals (happy holidays!) from David Letterman. How can you (best wishes) possibly doubt (to you and Miz B) her integrity and the suffering that (love ya both) this poor lady has (woohoo!) endured?
there must be something about David Letterman that lures nut jobs! Remember the lady who broke into his Connecticut home on multiple occasions and insisted to police that she was actually his girlfriend? And now this??? Poor bastard!
Obviously this woman is sick; I can’t believe a judge would entertain her allegations. It does sound more like Letterman’s the one who needs a restraining order.
Certainly the woman is crazy, but is there any truth to her claim?
What the general public does not realize, is that all broadcast stations and many specific television shows are playing the Mooks and shearing the Sheeple.
Every broadcast network tries to collect as much information as possible from the public, about its programs. There are many ways that this is done. Numerous television shows will also separately collect, analyze and use feedback from the public. Every word of every letter or email sent to a television station or program is scrutinized. Details as to likes and dislikes are gleaned, and the information is used to provide direction, as well as develop new material. Personal anecdotes from the viewers are captured and the core messages of these mini stories are likely to be incorporated into the show.
This is referred to as reflecting. Reflecting back to the fans, that which they divulge in their communiqués. It is a strategy very similar to the ‘cold reading’ technique performed by tarot card readers. The Mark is not aware of how much they are revealing, or to what purpose their entanglement might be used.
There are practical reasons for generating and perpetuating communications with viewers. It is difficult to know public sentiment while preoccupied with a daily show. Anything the public has to say may be used in creating content. It is difficult to continually come up with new ideas and things to say without regular input from the audience, as well as other sources. It is easy to become stale in a relatively brief period of time and the ratings will immediately reflect it.
However the application of such practices can and does lead to collateral damage. The Mark or Mook is being lead-on. There are ample teasers in the form of buzzwords, gestures and visuals which are intended to excite the interested person or persons. Instigation, antagonism and other forms of provocation are often used to whip up the target. Taking their cue from ubiquitous good cop bad cop scenes, the program creators push whatever buttons they can detect.
Creating conflict between a show and individuals or certain groups or other shows is all part of hightening the drama. It contributes to creating a sense of edginess which translates into ratings and dollars. The dance they dance can be dangerous for mentally unstable individuals, from within the viewing public.
The cast members and writers of sophisticated daily television programs share ideas and information. They collaborate. Writers who work for multiple programs bring with them the knowledge and ideas generated by their other gigs. The friendships that develop among members of different shows, mostly on the same network, are used to assist each other in various ways, such as promoting each other’s projects and programs and playing the Mooks.
It is all part of creating buzz, and it is easy for the dramatis personae and crew to transgress. The heady buzz created in the pursuit of ratings and dollars makes it easy to break ethical standards. Unfortunately for an unsuspecting few, the fantasy of television can become their reality and the result is devastating. The only real question that remains is whether the network programs are culpable, or not.