DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
Scandal: What’s Your Story?
© NaimaLett.com/blog
© Former 4-Star General David Petraeus, Kerry Washington, Elmo, Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.
Scandal!
Is life imitating art?
Or art imitating life?
What do you think?
Within one week, former CIA director & Retired 4-Star General David Petraeus, U.S. House of Representatives Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr., and Elmo’s Emmy Award-winning puppeteer of 28 years Kevin Clash, all look like they could’ve originated guest-star storylines on ABC’s history-making hit drama Scandal.
– Petraeus resigned from the CIA after news hit he was having an affair with his biographer.
– Jackson is a no-show to Congress as rumors swirl that he’s negotiating a deal to resign in the midst of allegations of misuse of campaign funds on a mistress and home furnishings.
– And Clash had to take leave from Sesame Street and Elmo to combat accusations of sleeping with a 16-year old boy, which is legally underage in the state of New York.
See what I mean! Scandal!
Art imitates life?
Seems like art imitates life, right?
Why? Because I can’t imagine that the top public officials who are gracing our front pages and news feeds with the sordid details of what Petraeus calls “moral failings” are not watching ABC and saying, “I can get away with that!” Instead, screenwriters are capitalizing off the salacious stories and saying, “They didn’t get away with that! Let’s use it!”
ABC’s Scandal (the first network drama ever written by, based on, and starring African-American women) is captivating our country on Thursday nights 10PM ET and getting rave reviews because creator, executive producer, head writer and three-time Emmy-nominated Shonda Rhimes (Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice) is ripping story lines from real-life headlines: politicians, public figures, adulterous affairs, underage affairs, $40,000 watch affairs.
A recent article explains that “Scandal is inspired by the real-life story of Judy Smith, the noted African-American political-crisis-management expert and former White House aide. Smith’s work over the years has included cooling the fires of such high-profile controversies as Monica Lewinsky, Michael Vick’s dog-fighting charges, and the disappearance of D.C. intern Chandra Levy.” Smith got her first job at the White House after advising a friend on the Iran-contra hearings. She then worked as special assistant and deputy press secretary to President George H.W. Bush before starting her own company.
Shonda Rhimes has proven that she has an incredible imagination over her stellar career as a writer and producer. But we best believe that her team is using Judy Smith’s crisis management history and real news stories as they create this world for award-winning actress Kerry Washington to play in every week.
Definitely, art is imitating life.
What’s Your Story?
Let’s have fun!
If art imitated your life and Shonda Rhimes showed up on your doorstep and wanted to write an award-winning network series about your life, what would the title be?
“Scandal” is already taken! :=)
But seriously, if you could use one word or phrase to sum up your life, what would it be?
– Petraeus’ biography is entitled All In. His series could be All Out?
– Jesse Jackson, Jr.: Like Father, Like Son?
– Kevin Clash: Sesame Alley?
Other past titles are: The Closer, Saving Grace, Breaking Bad, The Fugitive, Good Times, Grace Under Fire, Prison Break, Arrested Development, Friends, Suits, Amen Corner, Revenge, on & on.
Jesus’ story spawned several blockbuster films i.e. The Greatest Story Ever Told, Passion of the Christ. A hit series entitled The Messiah would garner much controversy and probably never make it to air. Jesus was pretty dicey. And His followers, like Him, died for others. Just saying.
Many might be tempted to call Paul’s series The Apostle; but he referred to himself often as The Prisoner (of Christ, or for the Lord) Eph 3:1, Eph 4:1, Phlm 1:1.
Would you watch The Prisoner each week? But what about the rest of Paul’s story? When challenging false apostles and what it means to truly serve Christ, Paul explains in 2 Cor 11:
I do not think I am in the least inferior to those “super-apostles”… Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 5 times I received from the Jews the 40 lashes minus one. 3 times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, 3 times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn? If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.
In that light, doesn’t Paul’s story sound very Die Hard?
What’s the name of your story?
Mine is Confessions of a Hollywood Christian. (Coming Soon!)
What’s yours?
Naima
What’s your story?
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Mine would have to be Dark Cloud, as there seems to have been a dark cloud over me my whole life. Although, I am believing that the winds of change are now blowing in my favor – even though I don’t see evidence of it yet. YET!!! =)
Hi Mikki,
Thanks so much for sharing.
I totally understand seasons of hard times. My husband and I have been through a’plenty. What if we called yours “Never Give Up” or “Won’t Back Down” or “Moving Forward” or “Tide’s Turning”? Something like that? Your story, from the little that I know, sounds more like one of persistence and perseverance, like a female “Rocky”. It’s encouraging, and I think more folks would be inspired with a working title that reflects your own “Die Hard” fortitude. Maybe that’s a good one: “Fortitude” or “Rock Solid” or “Immovable”. What do you think?
haha…I don’t know. Never thought about it that way. My life always seemed more like a dramatic horror story to me. I keep saying one day I’ll write a book but every time I start, I end up writing so much detail that I get discouraged and stop. =)
Be encouraged, Lady! I wrote my first book over the course of several months, mostly knocking out one chapter at a time early in the mornings (because I’m a morning person). Even if you never decide to release it, it might be nice to write out your story so you can see the overarching themes and how you’ve made it each step of the way. The wonderful thing is you have no deadlines. You can work at your own pace and do what you want. I just wanted to share a different perspective from the outside looking in. Your story seems more “Triumphant” and “Against All Odds” than “Nightmare on Elm Street”. :=)
Thanks for the advice. Perhaps I’ll pick it up again. I’ve thought about teaming up with a seasoned writer so I may look into that.
I’ve been through a lot over the course of my entire life. Some of it was a result in my own poor choices but much of it was from circumstances out of my control.
However, God has made me more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus. He won the victory for me so all I have to do is walk in that victory. I’m sure He will use all of the trauma and tragedies in my life for a purpose. To Him be the glory. For it was not of my will that I made it through and am still struggling through the ‘terrors,’ but His will and His strength. He gets me through to spots in the storm that aren’t as vicious as other spots long enough to catch my breath and then I’m tossed into the raging sea once more. But He is there always.
It would be nice to see that in writing. Perhaps to share with others going through never-ending storms.
Thank you again. =)
Many blessings to you.