If there’s one thing we know for sure, it’s that television today is a shadow of its former self, always apologetic, perpetually woke, and annoyingly predictable. Let’s rewind to more culturally audacious days with TCB, a TV program that aired special gems from a bygone era. TCB, abbreviation for "Taking Care of Business," was a musical television special that aired on December 9, 1968, on NBC. Starring Diana Ross & the Supremes alongside the incredible Temptations, it was more than entertainment; it was a cultural event that predicted and enjoyed a large conservative viewership. While the Supremes held the crown for Motown’s female singing groups, The Temptations shimmied their way with grit, drawing admiration even from those who usually turned a blind eye to Motown’s influence.
Why does this show matter, you ask? Because it unapologetically celebrated show-stopping talent without the modern-day moral grandstanding.
Diana Ross & The Supremes owned the stage: With a vocal prowess that could startle the angels, Diana Ross and her Supremes brought something many yearn for today—pure, undiluted talent. When they performed on TCB, it wasn't about making an exaggerated political statement; it was about the art form. What it offered was a jaw-dropping spectacle from the opening act to the final curtain call. The performance acclaimed by critics and audiences alike was breathtaking, infusing a spirited energy into the living rooms of millions of Americans. Who needs virtue signaling when you have a voice like Diana's?
The Temptations were nothing short of explosive: These gentlemen weren’t just another singing group; they were a dynamic force of nature. Their synchronized moves and soulful tunes made hearts race. The Temptations offered a window into a world where talent trumped all—a time before talent was suffocated and stifled by the censorious moral policing prevalent today. TCB showcased them in their prime, where they performed heart-stopping hits that remain classics to this day. If only today’s acts had that kind of raw charisma instead of trying to preach...!
Set design and aesthetics were the epitome of '60s flair: The set of TCB was a vibrant tapestry that made no secret of being unashamedly extravagant. There were brilliantly colored backgrounds and dazzling lights which weren't shy about being larger than life. It was an eye-popping spectacle that celebrated excess. Compare that to today's TV, which often opts for sterile minimalism to siphon viewer emotion through blandness. The flamboyance of the '60s had a direct route to viewers' senses; modern shows stint on aesthetics in a supposed bid to 'be more real,' which ironically makes them less so.
An era before political correctness muted excitement: In TCB, performances took center stage—no disclaimer needed. The artists gestured, grooved, and gyrated without waiting for social media approval. While today's notion of entertainment is consistently watered down by liberal sentiments—dictating what is appropriate—TCB presented a framework where art stood supreme. Not every genre needed to be mixed with politics and agendas. TCB scored by focusing on unrestrained, boundary-pushing entertainment.
MC’d by a Big Name: The special's host, Nancy Sinatra, added just the right amount of charm and wit, keeping the show tightly paced and splendidly engaging. The good old-fashioned, glamorous showbiz razzmatazz prevailed, barely delivering a day's worth of social media critique.
Ratings gold: TCB was an instant ratings winner. Reportedly watched by close to 30 million viewers, it proved the masses preferred genuinely talented performances over the didactic overtones that cloud current productions. Today’s divisive, overly-mixed whodunits can’t match the crisp escapism that shows like TCB delivered.
Shifting societal values reflected in TCB’s success: This TV special came during a transformative period. The late '60s showed palpable divisions and yet – as TCB illustrates – entertainment could serve as a escape from truculent social discourse rather than an extension of it. TCB staged music as a balm against troubled times, not a bullhorn for vitriol.
The power of mainstream appeal: At its peak, TCB highlighted undeniable creativity that resonated across a broad audience spectrum. Versus today's polarizing shows that appear deserving of a niche or targeted group, TCB appealed to common sense—emphasizing unity rather than division.
Historical significance: It's within shows like TCB that we capture glimmers of a past world, which reminds us that television once catered more to wholesome enrichment than lecturing. It remains a touchstone for understanding how entertainment can be powerful without underlying agendas.
A nostalgic journey to when TV dared to entertain for entertainment's sake: Indulging in the archives of a program like TCB is a testament to just how far we've drifted from prioritizing enjoyment over diatribe. As more modern programming tiptoes around controversies, there was a time not so long ago when daring producers valued our desire to be spellbound, not sermonized. TCB is a bold reminder of the fearless showmanship that once dominated the wave of the air—and perhaps should again.