I’m all for helping people in need. And I could surely do more in that area.
That said, watching Extreme Makover: Home Edition on ABC on Sunday night, in which the television show went in and built a new house for a Rose Hill family whose previous house was blown up in a proplane explosion, was almost too much to endure.
Not only was there a new house, with all of the best furnishings, but the family also received full-ride scholarships for the five daughters from Wichita State. The husband received a new shop, with state-of-the-art tools, and a new pickup truck. The landscaping, alone, probably cost more than the average family makes in a year.
I have been told by people who watch this show _ I watched Sunday night for the first time _ that the stories can truly be inspirational. But I wasn’t inspired. I was offended by the excess.
It’s not the family’s fault, obviously. The television show seems, to me, like nothing more than a one-hour commercial for the likes of Sears, Pizza Hut, Papa John’s, Star Lumber and all of the other companies that helped with building the new home. It became difficult for me to watch.
I know this show draws high ratings, but I’m curious as to whether anyone else agrees with me. If not, express your views. Maybe I’m completely out in left field on this one.
Compassion is good.
Excessive compassion, in my opinion, isn’t.
Is there a line?