I read this strange article in the February 12th [1994] issue of TV Guide. It was about a documentary made by a PBS crew for Frontline concerning the unseemly amount of media involvement in the Michael Jackson case.

The producer, Thomas Lennan, explained the PBS crew's approach: "We start with the story rippling out from the beginning and then we try to follow it through." This, of course, is distinctly different from mainline news services which start with the story rippling out from the beginning and then try to follow it through.

So far so good.

But then he tells this story about an incident that occurred during the filming of a press conference called by some of the lesser-known Jacksons.

Here's what Lennan says.

This was about a week into the crisis. There were, like, 40 TV crews all pointing down towards the stage at the family. And then there was one TV crew — ours — which was down on the stage, pointing back. I felt like the luckiest man in America. But that's exactly where the PBS crew belonged.

Now am I reading this right?

Is Mr. Lennan actually indicating that by pointing your camera backwards at a media event you are not taking part in that event? Granted, you may be taking part incompetently (at least so it would seem to newsgatherers), but surely you're still taking part?

And why is this particular (and peculiar) position "exactly where the PBS crew belonged"? What aspect of PBS is best typified by the image of a film-crew filming film-crews at a press conference?

Mr. Lennan claims that he felt like "the luckiest man in America," but the reason for this is less than clear. Is it because he was sharing a stage with Jackson family members, however "less famous" they may be? Was it being in the presence of so many news people who could set up their cameras correctly? Or was he just relieved to work for a company where he can use the equipment backwards without getting sacked?

I'm being serious here. Imagine the ramifications of what is being suggested.

If I take part in a demonstration, but walk backwards, am I still taking part? If it is an illegal demonstration am I safe from arrest?

And what about relationships? Can you make commitments and not be held to them if you're facing the wrong direction? And what would the wrong direction be?

Could this principle affect birth control, and how would it be done?

Family gatherings could be revolutionized. Imagine how pleased the mother of a baby would be if all the photographers at baby's first birthday party took pictures of each other. (Certainly every teenage boy who has ever writhed in embarrassment as his mother shows his baby pictures to his girlfriend would welcome such a change with open arms.)

Even astronomers might want to reexamine their Hubble Telescope woes with this in mind.

Is it possible that, due to PBS influence in the space program, they've been looking through the wrong end?

Reprinted from the March 1, 1994 issue of The Outrider