I believe in each of us taking control of our lives and working toward our dreams. And yet, that control, though extensive, is not complete. Setbacks, loss, and tragedy are as tightly interwoven into the fabric of life as achievements, gains, and triumphs. A successful athlete at the height of his career can be brought low by a sudden injury. Fortunes justly earned can be unjustly lost. A person who seemingly "has it all" can, through no fault of her own, be left with seemingly nothing. What does one's life look like when one's dreams end?
One of my favorite situation comedy series addressed this very issue. It followed the misadventures of a rich celebrity family who lost everything because of a crooked business manager and were forced to live in two motel rooms in a small town in the middle of nowhere. The series is the critically-acclaimed, award-winning comedy "Schitt's Creek."
At first, the characters struck me as over-the-top, shallow, and obnoxious; but as the series progressed, they took on deeper dimensions. By season three, I often found myself tearing up between laughs. Inspired by reality TV shows about people who are "famous for being famous," the series' creator, Dan Levy, wondered what would become of such celebrities if their money and fame suddenly vanished. Levy wanted to explore "what love looks like when the money is gone."
That's something to think about. What's left when the big house, expensive car, and career path are gone? What do love, friendship, family, and one's sense of self look like when everything by which we measure them vanishes?
During an earthquake, the first thing to fall from a building is the facade-its decorative outer shell. How deeply is our sense of self shaped by mere facades?
Belonging to a particular social circle differs from being rooted in a community. Having connections is not the same as having friends. Having blood relations and a particular last name differs from feeling like part of a family. Prestige pales next to affection. Fame can't replace emotional intimacy. Rubbing shoulders with those we consider elites is no substitute for having people we can turn to when everything goes wrong. Social media is more media than social, and being an "influencer" is not the same as being side by side with others in the trenches of life. Having a network of contacts is not the same as having a place at a table. Being recognized is different from being valued. Social esteem is no substitute for personal affection. The sensation of being "a winner," of being "unstoppable," or "crushing it" pales compared to the freedom of feeling fearlessly vulnerable.
These are some truths discovered by the characters of "Schitt's Creek." Perhaps we'd all do well to ponder them. Whether by financial or social disruptions, illnesses, or simply the inevitable passing of time, our lives as they are now will be shaken.
What will love look like when the facades finally fall away?
Rob Lauer is an award-winning, nationally-produced and published playwright with over 35 years of experience in the entertainment industry. His national credits include production work for MGA Films, Time/Warner TV, The Learning Channel and The History Channel. Locally, Rob has been producing, directing and hosting three TV series for PCTV (the City of Portsmouth’s official channel) since 2011.