Symbolism, Imagery, Allegory
The Most Popular Potato-Growing Show On TV
In today's entertainment-obsessed society, a real-life tragedy can be a hot commodity. We might disagree over whether that's a good thing or not, but we can all agree, at the very least, that it's a powerful thing. Just take a look at the curious case of The Mark Watney Report.
To put it simply, Mark's disappearance is "the biggest story since Apollo 13" (11.151). It instantly shoots to the top of the TV charts, dominating the water cooler gossip circuit all over the world. Of course, things go even crazier once the world realizes that Mark is still alive.
With the media frenzy at a fever pitch, CNN takes things to another level with The Mark Watney Report. The networks starts "dedicating a half-hour segment every weekday to reporting on" (6.185) Mark's current whereabouts, which actually sounds pretty boring... and like a lonelier version of The Truman Show.
Though it might seem a little creepy at first, the show is crucial in rallying public support... which in turn helps NASA gain more funding. Plus, the darn thing is the biggest ratings hit since Jersey Shore.
That said, we can't tell you how to feel about The Mark Watney Report. Maybe you believe that it's good because it inspired people to help Mark's cause. Or maybe you take the cynical stance and argue that the show represents the human need for entertainment, no matter the cost. Either way, we can all agree that the existence of the show reveals the power held by the media in our modern world.