‘Red & Blue’ makes too much of colors
The documentary series “Red & Blue” (8 p.m., Discovery) follows families from different states with different attitudes as they swap locales and situations.
The title and theme of the show are inspired by the political map of the United States reflected in the 2000 and 2004 elections.
As media pundits continually remind us, red (Republican) states are populated by God-fearing, tax-loathing, gun-toting types, while blue (Democrat) states are knee deep in latte- and merlot-swilling Volvo drivers intent on squashing smoking and other politically incorrect behaviors.
“Red & Blue” presents a family swap between the Cambres, active Christians from the farming community of Clinton, La., and the Catteralls, former hippies who reside in the leafy Los Angeles suburb of Topanga.
True to the show’s title, politics takes precedence. So look for much talk about the war in Iraq, President Bush and the place of religion in public life.
Like “Wife Swap,” “Red & Blue” requires a forced march through alien rituals and practices.
The Cambres must attend a highway peace vigil and a New Age service. Meanwhile the Catteralls’ longhaired teenage son must enter a military boot camp while his family learns the ins and outs of the local Louisiana hunting culture.
“Red & Blue” offers little we haven’t seen before, only its emphasis on politics makes it more contentious and annoying. If we want to hear people conduct a dialogue of the deaf, there is a wide array of cable “news” talk shows to choose from.
And aren’t we all getting a little tired of color codes? The Department of Homeland Security gave its up; maybe the media should jettison red and blue as well.
Who says that our cultures and mores are dictated by our state’s electoral votes or that we all live in gated communities of like-minded people?
According to the last election, I happen to reside in a “red” county in a “blue” state. What’s that make me, chartreuse?
More than 3 million Texans voted for John Kerry and more than 5 million Californians voted for Bush. “Red & Blue” might be interesting if it hunted down some liberals in Waco, Texas, or some die-hard conservatives in Berkeley, Calif., and asked these folks how they got along with their neighbors.
They probably would discover that pickup trucks and hybrids get along just fine in our national parking lot, but that would take some effort and original thought. Both are sadly lacking here.
Actor Samuel L. Jackson spends time with basketball great Bill Russell on “Iconoclasts” (10 p.m., Sundance), a new series saluting individuals who set high standards in their particular fields.
“Without a Trace” (10 p.m., CBS) shifts narrative gears to present the story from the point of view of a missing teen’s family. Laurie Metcalf (“Roseanne”) guest-stars.
Other highlights
The Subways perform at the Bait Shop on “The O.C.” (8 p.m., Fox).
Charity remains at home on “Everybody Hates Chris” (8 p.m., UPN).
The two-part look into a policeman’s murder concludes on “CSI” (9 p.m., CBS).
A song-writing contest on “The Apprentice” (9 p.m., NBC).
Amy is kidnapped on “Reunion” (9 p.m., Fox).
A plane crash demands everybody’s attention on “ER” (10 p.m., NBC).
Cult choice
A bored housewife (Roseanna Arquette) succumbs to amnesia and falls in with a “hip” downtown crowd in director Susan Seidelman’s 1985 comedy “Desperately Seeking Susan” (5 p.m., WE), co-starring Madonna, Aidan Quinn and Laurie Metcalf.
Series notes
Jeff Probst hosts “Survivor: Guatemala” (8 p.m., CBS) … Directing an amateur musical on “Joey” (8 p.m., NBC) … The Gordon mystery deepens on “Alias” (8 p.m., ABC) … Martha’s doctor offers destructive advice on “Smallville” (8 p.m., WB) … Zoo stories on “Will & Grace” (8:30 p.m., NBC) … Romantic competition on “Love, Inc.” (8:30 p.m., UPN) … On the lam on “Night Stalker” (9 p.m., ABC) … Breaking a sweatshop on “Eve” (9 p.m., UPN) … Hannah prepares to leave on “Everwood” (9 p.m., WB) … Unhappy feedback on “Cuts”(9:30 p.m., UPN).