When the Ole Seagull saw the first episode of “Branson Famous” on “Tru-TV” he instantaneously hated what he was seeing. He had simultaneous feelings of disgust and anger that any show in Branson, let alone one with the proud tradition that the Baldknobbers and Mabe family had enjoyed, would be so self-centered and insensitive as to arbitrarily use or permit the name “Branson” to be used on national TV, in lieu of their “own,” in an apparent attempt to save themselves from the situation in which they had placed themselves.
That said, the Ole Seagull, as strange as this might sound, was not going to write anything about it, although controversy swirled all about. All that changed this week however, when, while at dinner with some friends, they asked the Ole Seagull, what he thought of the show. After he told them, they pointed out that there was an article in the other paper this week promoting the “Famous Couple” with a different opinion.
As would be expected, the Ole Seagull went and read the short piece, “My visit with a ‘Famous couple'” contained within another “article.” It was written by Josh Clark, a person whom the Ole Seagull considers a friend and respects immensely both personally and professionally. It shares his opinion about the show, some of the responses people have made to it and provides an intelligent outline within which a logical measured response expressing an opposite view could be framed.
The following “reality list,” based on the “reality” of quotes taken from that piece represents the Ole Seagull’s opinion on the “reality” of what the one episode of the show he saw represented to him:
1. The title of the piece, “My visit with a ‘Famous’ couple.'” They’re famous all right, but then so were Julius and Ethel Rosenberg, who showed the same concern for Americas’ atomic bomb secrets as the “Famous Couple” and their cohorts showed for the family atmosphere and reputation that is one of the linchpins of Branson’s economic success. Indeed, the family dysfunction shown in the first “reality” episode is not totally disingenuous from that alleged in the Rosenberg family.
2. “I’ve seen all but the most recent episode of ‘Branson Famous’…” (1) – In the words of Rudyard Kipling, “You’re a better man than I am, Gunga Din!” In the first episode, the Ole Seagull saw a family, in terms of the “Baldknobbers'” past class, quality and tradition, “drink the cool aid” and die. That was enough for him, dead is dead and he doesn’t watch “Walking Dead” either
3. “I’ve seen all but the most recent episode of ‘Branson Famous’…” (2) – It’s ironic, that the “Baldknobbers” and those associated with it, were not “famous” enough for their names to be used in the title of the show. It should also be noted that they were deceitful enough to use the “Branson brand” and smart enough to omit their own name from a show that in reality should have been called “Baldknobbers Famous.” Instead, those associated with the show, including “Tru-TV,” elected on their own, to arbitrarily gamble the perception of what Branson is, to promote their own self-interest and benefit. It is beyond an Ole Seagull’s understanding how an organization so steeped in Branson history and tradition could do that.
There are those who say, “Any publicity is good publicity” and it will show a new side of Branson that could bring more people etc, and that, to some extent, might prove to be true. At the end of the day however, to an Ole Seagull, the reality is that it is how it was done and that they were willing to arbitrarily risk one of the linchpins of Branson’s economic success for their own gain that defines what they should be “famous” for. To him that more closely relates to the atom bomb than anything Branson stands for.