Television Delivers People

Richard Serra's video art piece "Television Delivers People" really does deliver its message in a clear and direct way. It is presented in the form of a harmless television announcement and its peppy music also helps reinforce the way that it parodies infomercials and public service announcements. The points that the piece brings up is one that should seem obvious but is commonly forgotten; that television exists solely for the advertising and the money made from them and for them. It really did provide a revelation though in its simple statement that "In commercial broadcasting the viewer pays for the privilege of having himself sold." The use of the word "himself" in this statement speaks volumes due to the fact that it is often cited that the most valued demographic that advertisements are targeting are 18-35 year old males. Television programming exists as bait for people to be exposed to advertisements. The statement that "You are the product of TV" is very powerful; the way it describes how advertisers are the customers for our loyalty and currency to their brands by buying space for commercials and sponsoring television programming is very true. This piece has the ability to show something that is commonplace in a completely new light by stating simple messages is something that I applaud. Also the "Propaganda for Profit" line is a truth about television that still has not lost its relevancy with the existence and popularity of corporation-owned news outlets such as Fox News. The way in which broadcasting can dictate what people think and in essence, decides what they should and shouldn't know, is a scary thought.