Good coverage of depressing subject

Press, 3 December 1982, Page 11

Good coverage of depressing subject

Revuew

Ken Strongman

It is surprising how quite disparate television events can sometimes bring about similar reactions in the viewer. Perhaps it is a matter of mood, but this week's theme is a sort of agitated worry. It was all set off by "A Good Age." This is a consistently good programme, and last Sunday’s, made in conjunction with the Mental Health Foundation, was no exception. It dealt with the thoroughly depressing matter of depression in the elderly.

It was fine television. Within 30 minutes, the characteristics of depression were described simply and clearly, three cases were portrayed in sensitive detail, and efforts were made to show what help is available. Much of the subtlety in the programme came from what was left unsaid. Good television or not, it was still worrying. Worrying that we live in a society in which old people are often cast aside and that there are few early interventions to help them through the many losses they inevitably sustain. And worrying that so many of us forget that old people have feelings which

are very little different from those of younger people: they are no more nor less resilient or emotional.

However. “A Good Age" also described some of the helping organisations, the best of which use the considerable expertise of the elderly by giving them responsibility in helping others. So there was some optimism.

"McPhail and Gadsby" is also worrying, but in a completely different way. They are better in this series than the last and at times verbally very clever. They are completely topical and at least make the attempt to send up local institutions and their representatives. They are stirring hard in the general pool of apathy, and it is important that someone should.

In spite of the verbal cleverness, their humour is

the sort that raises only a wry smile. The disturbing thing is that they don’t seem to develop. They have taken undergraduate review-type humour and polished it to a fine brilliance. However, glitter though it might, it is still undergraduate reviewtype humour. "McPhail and Gadsby" and their alter ego. A. K. Grant, have considerable skill, but it is unfair to leave it all to them. They need some new talent to fire them up a little. Otherwise, it is like being stuck with a style of clothes which was in vogue in one's formative years. Eventually, even the ’ most hidebound have to change skins. One thing which “McPhail and Gadsby” do very well is to pick apart the advertisements. showing just how vested are the interests they promote. What does one do to avoid being influenced? The morality of advertising can strike at almost any time and any place. Think of an advertisement that you loathe, promoting a product that you need. Should you buy it or not? Will your purchase in some small measure add to the reputation of the buffoon who created the advertisement? This type of dilemma can leave one in a paroxysm of indecision while one is standing in the aisles of a supermarket. The results of televisior watching can be very complex and at times most worrying. Still, the occasional moment of pure delight can make up for much. A few’ days ago on “Eyewitness News" the bulletin’ included the phrase: “Trapped atop the storm-swept peak..."

There’s a poet in the newsroom.