nd, at one point says, "Aww, that was nice, I think we've been having a, a real good evening, all things considered. We've sat around, and got to know each other, and had fun and games . . ." Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, however disconcerting to the audience, is just a play with actors. Television talk shows are arenas for real people. Their manipulation by "hosts," who alternate between mocking, a patronizing cynicism ("I want to be as smart as you someday" -- Phil), and a carefully constructed verisimilitude of caring ("Thank you for sharing that with us" -- Oprah) must have repercussions for the "guests" after the show is over. These people may really be seeking help or understanding. Appropriate reactions seem virtually impossible under the circumstances. We the viewing audience have entertained ourselves at the disasters of real lives. This is one of the more shameless aspects of the talk show spectacle. As passive witnesses, we consume others' misfortunes without feeling any responsibility to do anything to intervene. Vicki Abt, Ph.D., is professor of sociology and American studies, Penn State Ogontz, 1600 Woodland Road, Abington, PA 19001; 215-881-7300. This essaywas adapted from "The Shameless World of Phil, Sally, and Oprah: TelevisionTalk Shows and the Deconstructing of Society" by Abt and Mel Seesholtz,assistant professor of English at Penn State Ogontz, in the Journal of PopularCulture, Vol. 28, No. 1, Summer 1994. With Leonard Mustazza, professor ofEnglish and American Studies at Penn State Ogontz, Abt has written TV's ToxicTalk: Show and Tell and Other Media Game, forthcoming from Duke University Press. ...
