The political economy of TV.

underrated. suave. watch it.

Since we are approximately the last American adults who (a) have cable, and (b) watch television, we are watching television. On cable. Basic cable, as it happens. On BBC America, for whatever reason, they are showing Inside Man, an underrated Spike Lee Joint featuring a terrific, smart performance by Denzel Washington, a terrific, smart performance by Clive Owen--the ineffable Clive, as I like to call him--and a silken, slightly terrifying (terrific and smart also) Jodie Foster as a fixer. ZOMG I love this movie. In fact, we both do.

I'm doing whatnot and nothing on the internets when the historian calls me from the other room:

The historian: They're showing Inside Man, with one of my all-time favorite Jodie Foster performances.

Me: (scurries)

[Jodie Foster is being silken and threatening and also patronizing. Denzel is having none of it.]

Denzel Washington: You got a card, in case I need to call you?

Jodie Foster: Please don't take this personally, but no. I don't think you can afford me.

Denzel Washington: Well, don't take this personally, Miss White. Kiss my black ass, okay?

Me: Jeez I love this movie.

The historian: 'Kiss my black ass, okay?' There's sure a lot of patronizing going on.

[A commercial comes on.]

The historian: [with a small yet decided amount of heat:] The only thing wrong with this is these cussing commercials every ten minutes!

Me: It's capitalism, that's all. Just capitalism. Capitalism is ruining our television experience!

The historian: That's not even the half of it. [pauses, so that we may reflect:] Not EVEN the HALF of it.