By John MacNeil
I read the review of the TV show, Andy Richter Controls the Universe (a situation comedy about a technical writer) in the March/April issue of the Boston Broadside.
In his negative review, Matthew Nankin writes: "For technical writers, the show is a major disappointment." I disagree. I think the show is clever, ironic, and entertaining.
Mr. Nankin specifically criticizes a particular episode in which Andy makes a stereotypical comment about "the Irish" to a new hire. The new hire (who is black) takes offense, explaining that he himself is Irish. The situation escalates up the HR chain of command. Andy (who is white) gets some "sensitivity training," which he is hard-pressed to put into practice when he begins dating a pretty, young black woman (a fellow employee). He finds himself mightily challenged in trying to accommodate her sensitivities. He cannot always determine when to celebrate her racial and ethnic identity and when to act as if he is unaware of any differences between them.
I found this to be a thoughtful and sympathetic portrayal of a very human dilemma. Not so much an ethnic or racial dilemma, but the common dilemma all of us experience when we try to understand and respect each others' differing and, at times, paradoxical values and feelings.
If Andy Richter does not show us a technical writer at work, it does show us a technical writer as a human being with imagination, aspirations, and feelings, rather than as the stereotypically mosquito-like irritant that software developers sometimes perceive us as.
As a technical writer, I have been trained to consider my audience when writing. The writers of Andy Richter are aiming at TV viewers who are seeking entertainment and humor and, perhaps, some insight into the human condition.
In his letter, John McNeil discusses the value of Andy Richter Controls the Universe as a general member of the audience. My review was concerned with what the show does, and does not do, for technical writers. The episode on responding to a co-worker's sensitivities would have made just as much sense no matter what Andy Richter's employment or profession.
Perhaps there would have been humor in showing a technical writer as "the stereotypically mosquito-like irritant [of] software developers." In the case of Andy Richter, we will never know. After fourteen episodes, the lay audience knowledge of technical writing amounts to no more than sitting at a desk with a rarely-used computer, socializing extensively with co-workers, and using the office to look for a date.
Editor's Note: according to the website, http://www.tvtome.com/AndyRichterControlstheUniverse, Andy Richter Controls the Universe has been placed on hiatus by the Fox television network. Five additional episodes have yet to be broadcast.
John McNeil has been a technical writer for over twelve years. When not writing, he enjoys cycling, walking, softball, sailing, and occasional TV watching. You can contact John MacNeil at macneil@fiam.net.
Matthew Nankin is a Senior Member of the STC and a television critic. You can reach him at mgnankin@yahoo.com.