Page 256 - Communication and Citizenship Journalism and the Public Sphere

TALES OF TELLYLAND 245

In no small way the otherness of this world is created by having it
operate according to mysterious social laws. What pleasures there are in
the ordinary world are normally to be gained by social labour. In
tellyland, however, social labour, in any of its familiar forms, does not
seem to exist. We rarely see the main characters ‘at work’. Instead we
see them enjoying the trappings and pleasures that many might assume
are rare treats. What is in the ordinary world rare, is in tellyland pretty
close to being normal. When we see in photographs the characters of
tellyland they are, usually, dressed as for an ‘occasion’ of some sort.
Their lives seem to consist of little more than attending functions or
parties. On rarer occasions, they are presented as recuperating from the
effects of their socializing at health farms or ‘drying-out’ clinics. Both
men and women are well turned out, the former in what appear to be well-
tailored lounge suits or dinner suits, the latter in designer dresses and
gowns. The majority smile, though there is from time to time one
scowling at the camera (perhaps for invading the privacy of their
pleasure). They look, in general, carefree and affluent if not wealthy.
The means by which this happy state has been achieved are, however,
rarely dealt with explicitly.
The stories not only have mythological properties but also
moral ones. They seem to presuppose certain standards of respectable
behaviour. The stories are usually triggered by some sort of failure to
observe these standards, though there are some which celebrate their
observance to an exceptional degree. The main infringements are
alleged or reported sexual indiscretions, and sometimes villainy. Many
of the stories are about adultery, one night stands, broken relationships,
sexual potency and inventiveness (though sometimes also the lack of
them), sexually exploited and then abandoned innocents. The majority
of characters are granted sexual attributes which, by ordinary world
standards, are awesome. They have voracious sexual appetites,
incredible sexual capacity and an almost immeasurable sexual
imagination. Their supernormal attributes are in tellyland just normal.
This is highlighted by the inclusion, from time to time, of stories about
stars who have failed to shine in these respects. Most of the time, then,
the moralizing occurs when the narrator and/or their informants have
perceived a misuse of their special sexual powers. But there is quite
considerable ambiguity about the stars’ use of these powers. Fascination
and awe coexist with disapproval and even disgust, sometimes even
within a single story. Contrary to what might be supposed, however,
unqualified celebration is rare.