How does watching television form our opinions about other countries?

Bill and I have been watching “Midsomer Murders” for over 22 seasons. It is a British show based on the nine books of Caroline Graham and has been on PBS, which now runs it on Thursday nights, plus sometimes on Masterpiece. My brother, Arch, and I got such a kick over this picturesque, pastoral setting in rural England that we bought the entire CD set. The show revolves around head police officer, Detective Chief Inspector John Barnaby and a sidekick, younger muscle man… muscle men really, Troy, Nelson, Jamie, Casey, Scott and Ben. The series started in 1997 and John Nettles, who played John Barnaby, retired for real in 2011. He passed the lead to actor Neil Dudgeon, who plays his cousin, Tom Barnaby. New Barnaby also has a dog, Sikes, who sadly passed and was replaced by Paddy, currently trying to negotiate a new contract with more lines. Woof.

I have had the joyous opportunity to visit the British Empire twice. We took a bus tour the first time. Good thing. They drive on the wrong side of the streets and the roundabouts can make you dizzy. They had signs for pedestrians that said in large letters, “LOOK RIGHT SILLY Americans!” I almost got hit in spite of that. Thank God, only once.

All this opening is a pitch for an interesting question that I was having with several friends of mine on how television has shaped our view of the world.

With computers, phones and free television, we get a rough and tumble view of the entire world. We see it streaming live and in living, or killing, color. So, does fiction impact or taint your feelings about a particular country? British traditions, culture and folklore are not hidden away; the festivals and fetes of each village are now known to all. The lovely rose-covered cottages on cobblestone streets hide the weird games of murder on Midsomer. They show the English people—for all their primness and propriety—as just as evil as a Disney villain.

While entertaining, the Midsomer mysteries do not flatter the British. But the paradigm works; we watch. If you thirst for “real” England, you might be better off reading “People” magazine to see what Meghan and Harry are doing, and then decide.

I went to Arch’s house yesterday to see what he thought about my idea, “Does television shape our view of different countries?” After considerable consideration he said, “Gilligan’s Island.” “WHAT?” was my reply.

Yes, Thurston Howell the III and his wife, Lovey were the capitalists. The Skipper and Gilligan were the workers. The Professor was the intellectual representing our educational efforts. Ginger was all Hollywood, glamor without a clue. And that leaves the regular people— and everyone loves Mary Ann, the girl next door. In tough times they pulled together and in a crisis like a tornado or storm, they worked as one. I sat there and tried to come up with a better example. The Brady Bunch maybe?

OK, I was a teacher, so here is your homework assignment to be done by the holiday dinner. Give ways television shows shape your opinions. Fiction only and you must give five examples. I will do it also. Prepare to defend your choices. “I hated that show” is not a defense. I will know if you do the work. I am Santa’s second cousin whose mother-in-law was my grandmother’s aunt through marriage. I will know!

After watching “Midsomer Murders” I would never walk through a cemetery at night in Scotland or England. Maybe I would in Sherwood Forest. They had a tiki god display at a Conoco station and a sign, “Robin Hood stole from this 7-11.” Did I make that up? Wouldn't you like to know. Roaring Mouse, out.