In recent days, the criminal case, which the Prosecutor’s Office initiated against “The Puppet” program broadcast by HTB TV channel, has become one of priority subjects of Russian media.
The Prosecutor’s Office wants to find out whether the puppets imitating the highest state officials offends the dignity of the latter with their speech and behavior. Newspapers bring the example of developed countries, where such programs are shown for decades, but no application has ever been received against them. The same tolerant attitude was formed towards caricatures and political satire in general. The Western political elite prefers to be talked about (even, bad) rather than to be silent, the most terrible thing is to be forgotten.
Hardly the Russian president or the prime minister, personally, were angry at “The Puppet”, and instructed to organize a criminal prosecution. Most probably, it is the result of inexhaustible service diligence of adjacent courtiers. The courtiers like to render a disservice to their supervisors.
Naturally, there is a temptation to draw parallels with our country. The political figures of all the wings in Armenia are much more petulant and impulsive. A number of circumstances are playing their role here. First, the southern fiery temperament. Secondly, the territorial scope of the country, almost everybody knows each other personally, and if not with the hero of the ‘caricature’, but with his cousin they have drunk a cup of coffee together, it’s too embarrassing circumstance. And thirdly, the most in-depth reason: due to lack of serious ideological and political controversies, our elite is forced to focus almost on debate of the household level, and under these conditions, after any word over the broadcast or in media, there is a necessity to drink valerian drops. Lacking serious occupation, our politicians undertake intrigues, plots and provocations, psychological systems, in the search for sub-texts in everything (it is very typical to segments detached from the ANM party).
Well, now let’s prepare and make the puppets imitating our politicians talk. The interaction can be the following: the officials will sent several applications a day to courts (civil version), will burn the TV studio or the scarecrow of its leader (Asian version), or will get a heart attack (tragic version). This is the reason why “The Puppets” TV program is not broadcasted on our TV. They are saving the fragile nervous system of our politicians.
Aram Abrahamyan
22.07.1995
