Almost 15 years without a TV isn't a bad thing, but that doesn't mean you escape it's thrall completely. And the occasion of watching a commercial network news at a friend's place triggered this song. The disdain evident was probably amplified by the fact that the newsreader was not anonymous, but a person previously met and about whom something was known; no fool. So, perhaps the song also expresses frustration - not eased by the ensuing years, which have seen the quality of 'news' coverage on TV sink to new astonishing lows.
But it's an insidious creature and it can creep back into your life; once resident anywhere, a TV is hard to shake off.
lyrics
IDIOT NEWS
What's on the news, what's on the idiot box
Look at his tie, what colour are his socks
What's on the news, what's on the pacifier
Thousands of channels, none ever satisfies you
They're not concerned with finding the facts at all
They have to keep to ensuring the ratings don't fall
Look at her hair, she sure looks good tonight
Dazzling teeth, she never looks a fright
He's so urbane, house-person's superman
They needn't know, he's one guy she cannot stand
They're not concerned with knowing the facts at all
They are absorbed, ensuring the ratings won't fall
Ah, the TV - set the people free from this slavery
Kill the TV, let the people see, the fraud, that's the TV
What's on the news, look here's another monster
We'll cross there live, first we'll cross to our sponsor
Why turn to crime: reporter to wanted man
I'll do my time, you wouldn't understand
You're not concerned with finding the facts at all
You'll do your time, ensuring the ratings don't fall
Ah, the TV - set the people free from this slavery
Kill the TV, let the people see, the fraud -
Kill the TV - set the people free from this slavery
Ah, the TV, let the people see, the fraud, that's the TV
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