Remember that show from way back in the day. To be exact the show came to television on Aug. 10, 1948 and continued into the 1970s. It was a hidden camera/practical joke reality television series. It was created and produced by Allen Funt. Those who remember the show would see people enter into everyday situations that were often funny and then someone would say, “smile you’re on Candid Camera.”
Now there are “candid cameras” everywhere. Most people have a camera on their phone and people seem to want to take a picture of everything. I’m not sure what is behind it all. Perhaps they are looking for their picture to go viral. That can happen now. Your average everyday “Joe” can end up on the “Today Show” or as a part of the news.
The pictures I’m confused by are the criminals who take pictures and post them. Did you hear about the young man who posted a picture holding a gun? He was a student at a local school and he was about 15 years of age. Reportedly he brought the gun to school. Then there was the person who allegedly killed someone and took a picture with the body in the background. These selfies assisted in apprehending both “actors.”
I think we need to find another name for criminals, this is coming from someone who is a card carrying union actor. Who started calling them “actors?” Maybe this is why they are taking so many pictures of themselves; they are hoping for a part in a movie or their own reality show. Hey people that only happens on TV or in the movies. Maybe they only want their 15 minutes of fame at whatever cost. The whole selfie craze seems to have made it easier for the network news people. I see local news people on Facebook asking for pictures to be sent to them of the snow and other situations. It is not unusual to see a news report that features “amateur footage.” Frankly I think people who submit these photos or videos should either get photo credit or get paid. I’m just saying.
As I am writing this column I’m watching a story on “Sunday Morning” featuring a former stalker paparazzi (his words) who has developed a company that records or documents marriage proposals. People actually hire this man and his professional proposal company to provide hidden cameras in the ring box, drones flying over the area and rehearsals for the proposal. All I can say about this is wow, this is a whole new industry… buy a good camera and some unique equipment and you can create a very unusual job for yourself. Here is an idea for a business, how about a company that will help keep your marriage intact? Now that is a novel idea.
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Mark your calendars for March 14, at the Double Tree by Hilton Meadowlands Hotel for the BASH Scholarship Luncheon. This year’s theme Ooh La La, A Day Spent in Paris. For tickets bashforwomen.com.
