"Incoming!!!'
I watch a lot of TV. I mean a LOT of TV and in particular I like a good film. One thing that has been bugging me for many months is the lack of dogs in the films and TV programmes I watch and I can't help but feel this must be deliberate. In the UK there are, at the last count, over 9 million dogs and yet if you watched TV you would be forced to conclude that we are rarer than an honest politician. It is as if we don't exist. Also the dogs that do get starring roles are nothing but poorly fleshed out cliches.....think the blundering St Bernard in 'Beethoven' or the slobbering lump in "Turner and Hooch." Where are the dogs saving lives? discussing politics? holding down good jobs? defeating terrorists? keeping the world safe from pigeons or squirrels? In the script writers waste paper bin thats where! This is blatant dog-ism and yet it goes un-noticed, suggesting a conspiracy that is all encompassing. There have been a small number of exceptions - 'Marley and Me' deserved several Oscars and the Norfolk in 'Salt' gave a commanding performance that put me in mind of Larry Olivier or Marlon Brando at their best but that is pretty much it.
As with many things I am ready to answer the call if Hollywood needs a new action hero and maybe if I was the next 'Bond' this would begin to finally break down the barriers. I shall be standing by the phone and if it does not come I am sure I will be 'shaken, but not stirred.'
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