I think the best way to start this is to come from the view point of art, history, cinema and storytelling as a way to tackle the analysis of FOX News’ point of view of “The Muppets”. The idea of brainwashing children into thinking capitalism and success are bad things. Yes, from the point of view of FOX News is that money is good and people and government are bad. An “attack” from the liberal biases of Hollywood would make sense then, and after all FOX’s way of running this country is the right way. I really don’t take anything seriously on FOX News anyway. But I found the point made on the FOX News show, “Follow The Money,” hosted by Eric Bolling, to be inherently loaded (of course it is), comical, maddening and obnoxious.
The idea of the villain of “The Muppets” being Tex Richman, played by Chris Cooper, as a money hungry corporate cliche is true. This character is gossamer thin and one-sided but it brings up the point of the film so well, let’s save the Muppets. And to the respect of the film, every character in “The Muppets” is plainly thin with little to no nuance. But I don’t think the filmmakers involved with making “The Muppets” are vilifying the oil executives for being successful and rich, I think it’s vilifying the actions of oil executives which are greedy and unethical.
I don’t feel success and capitalism are bad things for this country but with everything in life, it boils down to actions more than labels and stature. Labeling someone is entirely too easy and easy enough to make your point about people in general, but what separates a person from a large group is based on their actions and whether or not their actions fall into an ethical standard of right and wrong. Is it wrong to make money and be successful? Absolutely not. But is it wrong to make money and be successful at the expense and hurting of others? Absolutely!
In “The Muppets,” we as the audience are not aware Tex Richman is the villain of the movie when he enters the picture until he reveals his plan to tear down the Muppets studio to drill for oil. Is drilling for oil evil? No, we need oil to survive in this modern world. But is it evil to drill for oil at the expense of the Muppets studio? For the purposes of the film, yes. I don’t feel Kermit, Gary, Mary and Walter would feel as driven to stop Tex Richman from drilling oil somewhere else, or trying to stop him from running a corporate entity, or at least that bit isn’t as clear in the movie. They just want him to not tear down their beloved Muppet studio. Should they just stop, give up and make way for a brighter tomorrow, if so, it would be a short and pointless movie if they did.
This isn’t a new narrative device. Did we hate Mr. Potter in “It’s A Wonderful Life” for being successful? No. Did we hate Mr. Potter in “It’s A Wonderful Life” because he was screwing over the people of Bedford Falls by being a horrible slumlord? Yes. In “It’s A Wonderful Life,” Frank Capra makes the point that Mr. Potter’s wealth and manufacturing business led to the end of World War II, in many ways he’s a hero but we dislike this character because he is exploiting the poor in this small town by not giving them a dignify place to live, while at the same time swindling $8,000 from his rival. So much so, that in the alternative Bedford Falls, the town is in ruin because making money and Mr. Potter’s greed was the driving force instead of the townspeople’s well-being.
There are numerous examples of characters in movies and literature that are villains because of their actions and not their wealth. From the bankers and the California State Patrol in the novel “The Grapes of Wrath” to Biff Tannen in “Back To The Future Part 2,” (who didn’t transcend from bully to villain until he was rich and his greedy actions led to the alternative 1985 and the death of George McFly), good storytelling makes the point of a person’s actions have consequences rather than just simply labeling them as rich, an oil executive or a millionaire. We root for Danny Ocean, played by George Clooney, and his gang in Steven Soderbergh’s “Ocean’s 11” because he was screwed over by Terry Benedict, played by Andy Garcia, a wealthy casino owner. From what I know about “Ocean’s 11,” Danny Ocean was wealthy and well-bank rolled himself.
But bringing up their point about children being brainwashed, last time I checked children had parents and teachers to influence their lives and as much as I love movies, I don’t think movies and TV have as strong as an influence on them as these people. I’m sure FOX News would like to think they have a profound influence on children, but the reality is parents, neighbors and teachers have more influence on children than anyone else. And are the ideas of sharing with others and the ethical treatment of people bad ideas to pass down and embed in children? Too some, I’m sure it is, money and success is more important to these people but, I feel, too the many, philanthropy and charity is the essence of being an American and to the idea of freedom.
In terms of religion, as an example, Jesus Christ. As much as I am not a religious man at all, I have studied religion for seventeen years when I was in school. Take the story of Jesus at the Temple. Jesus is disgusted by the sight of His Father’s home being turned into a marketplace and currency exchange center, so much so he destroys the marketplace and risks his safety to make the point that the Temple is not a commodity. He gets arrested, which leads to his eventual crucifixion. Now, some people, today, would think of Jesus as being part of Occupy Wall Street or some kind of liberal bleeding heart, some would see fit that He would be thrown into jail so the people in the Temple can be left to be successful, make money and create jobs. Some people should consider the Bible to be a form of brainwashing but we don’t vilify it, we actually teach it in some of our schools. Maybe this isn’t the path to take, but if Christianity is their standard then maybe they should really read their Bible more and practice what they preach.
In terms of art, what is presented in movies, TV, literature and music is almost always a reflection of society. Art is a benchmark of the times we live in. It’s an expression of what’s going on today instead of as a historical record. Art works both ways and can be prevented into propaganda, it’s both the beauty and danger of art. If a movie is reflecting the idea of a greedy billionaire oil tycoon crushing helpless people for his own gain, then chances are it’s going on in society and needs to be addressed. If there are movies about a war in Iraq, then there’s a good chance there’s a war in Iraq.
The idea of brainwashing children is not a subject that should be taken lightly, and really if you don’t like “The Muppets” then don’t watch it, but if you mistakenly see the movie and feel it is giving the wrong message to your kids then simply talk to them about it. At the end of the movie, Tex Richman does have a change of heart and decides to give the Muppets the money to buy back their studio. He’s still a rich oil tycoon at the end but because of his actions, he’s no longer greedy. Maybe FOX News should have considered that when drumming up this piece to pedal their agenda. I don’t consider the opinions of the paid pundits of FOX News to tell you what you should and should not be watching. I never take FOX News seriously and Lord knows, I’m not a fan of their brand of brainwashing America.
via MediaMatters.org
by @Rudie_Obias
