So you've read the synopsis and want to come see the show, but aren't too sure what Opportunity Knocks is really still all about? That's quite alright – we aren't telling you too much on purpose, because well, we want you to come see the show! However, for those of you that would like to know that little bit more (such as what the message behind the show is) ; this is for you!
As you (or your parents) might already know, "Opportunity Knocks" was a very successful talent show which started on British radio in 1949 and was revived several times for television right up until 1990 hosted by Bob Monkhouse and later by Les Dawson. The aim of the show was to become a "new talent"...and it was a rather innovative show in that the general public were the ones who would decide who became the eventual winner - much like our high glossed/rated/viewed X-Factor. But why do I mention this show - and admit to nabbing the title for my own show? Well, I just want to illustrate to you that reality and talent shows are nothing new - despite Simon Cowell taking plaudits and acclaim for the creation of, well, nothing new...aside from evoking a mass reaction by the public to aspire to being somebody.... and somebody rich at that!
Whilst I was writing Opportunity Knocks (which originally started off as a short piece about how repetitive life can become when you begin living with someone) I couldn't help but notice how big an influence (reality) television really is on peoples lives, to the extent that people really do believe that all they need to be a success is to be seen on tv or get signed to be what they think they're best at doing...and lets face it, these days we all think we're going to “someone”, when in reality, the vast majority of us are going to fade into the background of an office space – sad, but true.
However sad and depressing the above statement may be, people aren't looking at the bigger picture. The trend of “instant fame” which has only really become huge within the last decade, or whenever Endemol or Syco Television was born, has left people with deeply routed emotional scars and or ruined what basic and pleasant a life they could have lead, from a simple “kiss and tell” to a complete invasion of someone's inner most secrets...this is all largely thanks to the media and their creation of demand for knowledge about mere humans-come-demi-Gods, all in an effort to fill page space and fill our heads with unessential brain dead information.
People who have become “someone” will never lead a normal life and may in turn be missing out on other opportunities in life that have knocked, simple entities that we take for granted, like being with someone you truly love, as opposed to being with someone the media think you should love ; having a normal family (though the term “normal” is out the window for most families these days) , right up to being able to have a Big Mac in public. These are the everyday opportunities we take advantage of yet overlook because we are told they aren't enough to aim for in life, as we all seem to measure our success against the immeasurable. We are all growing increasingly frustrated at not succeeding in life – but what is it we're actually trying to succeed at? For you see, success comes in many shapes and forms, and for someone, say, with a sight impairment, their everyday living - from getting dressed in the morning to getting into bed safely at the end of the day, that is a success, alas it is not a success story that people will ever want to read about or see on television.
Sadly, we gauge our success, not on what we do in our own lives, but being perceived to have a successful life, from being on tv and owning material bullshit.
This is my message, albeit, wrapped in a blanket of comedy.
Now all you have to do is come see the show...
-Derek Masterson
As you (or your parents) might already know, "Opportunity Knocks" was a very successful talent show which started on British radio in 1949 and was revived several times for television right up until 1990 hosted by Bob Monkhouse and later by Les Dawson. The aim of the show was to become a "new talent"...and it was a rather innovative show in that the general public were the ones who would decide who became the eventual winner - much like our high glossed/rated/viewed X-Factor. But why do I mention this show - and admit to nabbing the title for my own show? Well, I just want to illustrate to you that reality and talent shows are nothing new - despite Simon Cowell taking plaudits and acclaim for the creation of, well, nothing new...aside from evoking a mass reaction by the public to aspire to being somebody.... and somebody rich at that!
Whilst I was writing Opportunity Knocks (which originally started off as a short piece about how repetitive life can become when you begin living with someone) I couldn't help but notice how big an influence (reality) television really is on peoples lives, to the extent that people really do believe that all they need to be a success is to be seen on tv or get signed to be what they think they're best at doing...and lets face it, these days we all think we're going to “someone”, when in reality, the vast majority of us are going to fade into the background of an office space – sad, but true.
However sad and depressing the above statement may be, people aren't looking at the bigger picture. The trend of “instant fame” which has only really become huge within the last decade, or whenever Endemol or Syco Television was born, has left people with deeply routed emotional scars and or ruined what basic and pleasant a life they could have lead, from a simple “kiss and tell” to a complete invasion of someone's inner most secrets...this is all largely thanks to the media and their creation of demand for knowledge about mere humans-come-demi-Gods, all in an effort to fill page space and fill our heads with unessential brain dead information.
People who have become “someone” will never lead a normal life and may in turn be missing out on other opportunities in life that have knocked, simple entities that we take for granted, like being with someone you truly love, as opposed to being with someone the media think you should love ; having a normal family (though the term “normal” is out the window for most families these days) , right up to being able to have a Big Mac in public. These are the everyday opportunities we take advantage of yet overlook because we are told they aren't enough to aim for in life, as we all seem to measure our success against the immeasurable. We are all growing increasingly frustrated at not succeeding in life – but what is it we're actually trying to succeed at? For you see, success comes in many shapes and forms, and for someone, say, with a sight impairment, their everyday living - from getting dressed in the morning to getting into bed safely at the end of the day, that is a success, alas it is not a success story that people will ever want to read about or see on television.
Sadly, we gauge our success, not on what we do in our own lives, but being perceived to have a successful life, from being on tv and owning material bullshit.
This is my message, albeit, wrapped in a blanket of comedy.
Now all you have to do is come see the show...
-Derek Masterson
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