The parallels between Gov. Dean and another irascible Howard, television anchor Howard Beale from the 1976 movie Network, are uncanny.
Both Howards initially heading towards oblivion due to lack of interest tap into an underlying sense of anger in the American populace. (Beale's episode was little more than an unchecked breakdown that just happened to transpire as he was on center stage, but it's arguable that's what ARRRRRRRGH!!! was...)
Both ascend to the peaks of the profession as the message "I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore!" catches fire and surprises the hell out of everyone by doing so.
Both become more intimiately intertwined with the interests of the establishment as a result - Beale by not losing his job but having it ramp up into a new "news" show that exploits this rage, Dean by attracting a great deal of establishment figures early in this untried but potentially effective strategy.
Initially, both Howards triumph and jump to the top of the ratings.
In both cases, however, the shtick hits a peak and starts to look tired. Both Howards alternate between the energy that got them to where they were and unsuccessfully trying to change the display to move forward from there. Both begin to look old hat as the fad dies down. Rating numbers decline, bosses get very concerned indeed.
Beale's show explodes with a final ratings burst as his network bosses arrange his assassination on air. Dean decides to go out in a blaze of glory, giving even supporters the willies with his YEEAARARRRGH!!!! and provides Republicans, talk-show hosts, and thousands of people with looping music software beautiful new material.
Howard Dean: the second man in the history of television to be killed by bad ratings. Unlike the former, though, I think the coroner will have to consider it a self-inflicted wound.
