I recently discovered a 24-year-old reality TV show, and I am obsessed.
Streaming live for free on the internet since 2012, this show airs most days between 9 a.m. and noon from January to the first few days of April. Occasionally there are special episodes that run longer or even air at night, and there are multiple spinoffs. There are thousands of hours of content to devour and consume your day.
WAY better than most daytime TV, there are 263 main characters with many, many supporting roles filled by infinitely interesting character actors. And you can access any of the old episodes if you missed a plot point or just want to go back and relive highlights.
I am, of course, referring to the live video feed from the Georgia General Assembly.
I work to keep my New South Essays and my day job separate, and I don’t often touch upon politics in any way because of the division even just the word “politics” evokes these days, but I’ve been inexplicably enjoying the legislative session beyond what a normal person should savor in their television consumption.
Not one to watch much reality TV, aside from sports, of course, my addiction to the Georgia General Assembly snuck up on me. Yes, it is part of my job, but it’s a facet I hadn’t anticipated enjoying so much.
It’s not really just one show, though. There is a live feed from the House and from the Senate. It’s like “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette.” While there are similarities, each has their own cast of characters and distinct vibes. Some days I prefer the Senate, others the House. It depends on what’s made it to the Rules Calendar and the overall mood in the chamber.
There are also almost infinite spin-offs in the General Assembly Cinematic Universe with live streams from every committee meeting. This is where there’s real drama, and I have been honored to have a brief cameo role in several episodes when I inadvertently sat in the camera’s zone of recording or could be seen lurking in a lurkerish way in the background.
Harris, my middle son, even appeared in an episode this season featuring new Mercer University President Penny Elkins. I confess, I have rewatched that episode a few times.
So far, 28 episodes of this season’s 40 have dropped. There are too many highlights to mention here, but I will offer a few explanations for why I love this show:
Authentic accents. I have bemoaned the disappearance of the genuine Georgia accent, and this show has on full display the variations of Southern speech from the swamps of South Georgia to the Appalachian foothills in the northern climes of the state. Some are syruppy sweet while others are full of urban vitality. Still others are so thick even I have to pause and rewind to make out what is said.
Formal speech. From the ceremonial to the Constitutional, the scripted portions and even the unscripted interactions tickle me. I have a soft spot for formality and euphemism, so much so that some of the oft repeated phrases have seeped into my conversations at home with my Darling Beloved. For example…
Me: “For what purpose does the gentlelady from Lilburn rise? (When Carla gets up from her chair to get a snack while watching TV.)”
Darling Beloved: “What are you talking about?”
OR
Me: “The question is on where we will go to dinner tonight. As many as are in favor of the passage of the bill will vote ‘Yes’, and those opposed will vote ‘No’. The Clerk will unlock the machine.”
Darling Beloved: “What?”
Me: “Have all members voted?”
Darling Beloved: “Voted on what?”
Me: “The Clerk will lock the machine.”
Darling Beloved: “What machine? What are you talking about?”
Disagreeing agreeably. My love of their formal speaking is followed closely by how they agree and disagree with each other. Sometimes they devolve into name calling, but more often, they say something more euphemistic, like “I do not believe that to be true,” or “The senator speaks with passion.” If they agree, they say “The representative knows of what she speaks” or “Yes, those facts are in evidence.” These have also found their way into my conversations at home:
Me: “Does the young gentleman from Lilburn have a parliamentary inquiry?”
My teenager: “What?”
Me: “State your inquiry.”
My teenager: (Rolls eyes)
Me: “Is it not true that the gentleman speaks with passion?”
My teenager: “Dad, you’re creepin’ me out.”
My favorite parts of each episode are when there is bipartisan agreement or colleagues from opposite of the aisle complement each other, recognizing a personal celebration or loss, or rib each other good naturedly with a wink. Speaker of the House Jon Burns of Newington in particular has a way of acknowledging the minority party in a respectful way that I find hopeful.
Great costumes. There are three-piece suits, colorful headwear, great “Sunday Go-to-Meeting” ensembles, and some very, very fancy shoes. This week, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution ran a story and photo gallery on the best dressed lawmakers. It’s fun to see how wardrobe dresses the characters for each episode.
Good, clean television. Rarely is a cursing word uttered. There isn’t much violence, although it’s not unprecedented. Any romance is Victorianly in the shadows, whispered about but not out in the open. It’s all very demure and proper. I do suspect the young staffers are often involved in romantic intrigue, but I’m too old to be nosing in their business. It would be unseemly.
Learning civics. The fact is, we don’t really know how our government works. Sure, we all complain about it, but if we truly understood the legal and relational effort required to get a bill passed into law, we might understand how best to engage and advocate for our positions. The Georgia General Assembly meets for only 40 sessions, not counting committee work days, and there can be intense marathons requiring mental acuity, focus and stamina. The skills that make one a good campaigner don’t always translate into the skills that make for good lawmaking.
Yesterday, as I write this, (March 6) was Crossover Day, and I was able to attend more than 15 hours of the marathon 17-hour legislative day, beginning with the House Higher Education Committee meeting at 8 a.m. and concluding after 11 p.m. with the House vote on House Bill 1413, the legislation to enact a historic, needs-based DREAMS college scholarship, which my agency will administer.
There is no substitute for being there in person, but the reality TV version allows for pausing to refill your coffee, take a bio break, or consult the rules of the chamber to understand what is going on.
I would encourage you to check it out. You can start at the beginning and get caught up, but it will take a little time. You better hurry, though, because the season finale is rapidly approaching on “Sine Die” April 2. When that final gavel falls under the Gold Dome and the shredded paper is thrown, there’s just no telling what new laws will be enacted.
And who knows who you might see lurking in the background.
New South Essays 