Television is like the American toaster, you push the button and the same thing pops up everytime

Television is like the American toaster, you push the button and the same thing pops up everytime

Alfred Hitchcock, the legendary filmmaker known for his mastery of suspense and thrill, once famously compared television to the American toaster, stating that you push the button and the same thing pops up every time. This comparison is particularly apt when considering Hitchcock's own work and the impact he had on the medium of television.

Hitchcock was a pioneer in the world of television, creating and producing several successful series such as "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" and "The Alfred Hitchcock Hour." These shows were known for their anthology format, with each episode featuring a standalone story of mystery, suspense, and often, murder. Despite the variety of plots and characters featured in these series, there was a certain formulaic quality to Hitchcock's work that made it instantly recognizable to audiences.

Much like the American toaster, which reliably produces the same toast every time you push the button, Hitchcock's television shows followed a familiar pattern. Each episode would typically begin with an introduction by Hitchcock himself, in which he would set the stage for the upcoming story with his trademark dry wit and macabre humor. The stories themselves would often revolve around ordinary people caught up in extraordinary circumstances, with Hitchcock's signature twists and turns keeping viewers on the edge of their seats until the very end.

Despite the predictability of the format, Hitchcock's television shows were anything but boring. His keen eye for storytelling, his innovative use of camera angles and editing techniques, and his ability to create tension and suspense out of seemingly mundane situations set him apart as a true master of the medium. Each episode was like a perfectly crafted piece of art, with Hitchcock's unique vision and style shining through in every frame.