The 90s: The American Way; The 90s: It's A Mall, Mall World

There's a new season of interesting stuff from The 90s, public television's eclectic one-hour compilations of independent work, generally built around a central theme (we reviewed samples from the first season in our July-August 1991 issue). We examined two of the latest offerings--The American Way and It's a Mall, Mall World. The American Way is an interesting take on politics in America on the eve of a new election. The best segments feature the lesser-known candidates for President, such as Joan Jett Blakk, running on the Queer Nation Party ticket; consumer advocate Ralph Nader; Tom Laughlin (remember Billy Jack?); and James "Bo" Gritz, the model for "Rambo" who says he's "harder than woodpecker lips." The worst segments are the more artistic pieces, such as the pretentiously tiresome playlet about the meeting of members of the "White Men's Club" (which will only appeal to the whip-me-beat-me-I'm-guilty-for-the-screwed-up-world-liberal school of thought); and pieces interviewing Dr. Susan Block and John Boehn about the subject of politicians and sex--interviews which clearly adhere to the modern golden rule in media: namely, if you can't say something intelligent, talk about sex. None of this prepares the audience for the next to the last piece, which is the most offensive thing I've ever seen. Entitled "The Motorcade Sped On," the short shows the assassination of JFK edited to a rap beat, while Walter Cronkite's voice is electronically played with. When it's over you find yourself trembling with frustration and anger and all you can think of is "why?" There is no rhyme or reason to the piece, and I have to wonder if the administrative staff at The 90s is completely comprised of airhead "yes"-people. Apparently we've reached the point where censorship concerns are so paramount that everybody's afraid to say no. Well, I'll gladly step to the plate on this one: absolutely not recommended. It's A Mall, Mall World, on the other hand, is an entertaining, if occasionally arty, look at what author William Kowinski called The Malling Of America. It's a wide-ranging compendium of thought-provoking pieces: "Mall Rats" interviews teenagers who hang out at the mall, while "Mall Walkers," talks to senior citizens who walk the mall for fitness; "Mall Phobia" follows an agoraphobic's visit to a New Jersey mall with her therapist, while "Mall of America," visits an agoraphobic's worst nightmare, the recently opened Mall of America in Minnesota (the largest mall in the world). On the down side are a few artier pieces, and a visit to the mall with Jody Proctor, who is either pretending to be an esoteric dork that doesn't darken mall doors or really is one (either way, he's a tiresome unit). The American Way is, as I said above, absolutely not recommended. It's A Mall, Mall World is highly recommended. The other four episodes currently available are: Taking Charge, Getting Older, Guns & Violence, and Country Living. [Note: Subtle Communications is also offering The 90s on a subscription basis.] (Available from: Subtle Communications, 1208 W. Webster, Chicago, IL 60614; (312) 871-6033.)