So it goes

Two electrifying programmes came across the airwaves this week. (Or in my case, wobbled through the air via the wireless router. Another blow for alien enthusiast Frank Drake.)

The first was President Obama’s appearance at the Republican Party’s retreat in Baltimore. In an hour-long broadcast, he responded to questions from GOP representatives. It was intense, entertaining and enlightening.

Republicans said that the Democrats were aggressively controlling all business in the legislature, and limiting their access to the president. Obama told Republicans that they had painted themselves into a political corner by consistently condemning Democratic proposals. For the politically inclined, it was phenomenal entertainment.

The week was also the final match of the Australian Open: Federer vs. Murray. Federer is a tennis god: sleek, cool, colour-coordinated and majestic on court. When he wants to challenge a call, he simply waves his racket nonchalantly toward the ref.

Murray is a British hero–the country’s only chance at a serious tennis victory in nearly a century. Unfortunately, he’s also young, gawky, and has the reputation of being downright dour. Though I have an ingrained desire to support underdogs, even I couldn’t root too hard for Murray.

Television is typically full of so much rubbish that I gave my set away. This week, I wished for it back! I know that not every programme can be about a world championship sports game or cover a historically significant debate, but is there any reason for shows like “Britains Missing Top Model”? Or “Bridezilla”? I’ll never race home to watch that crap, and I’ll never set my Tivo to record it. Why is it so hard to find compelling content on TV when the web does so well?