Television: Goodbye Already

As the Seinfeld hoopla hits an annoying crescendo, historical perspective is in order

Over the centuries, many madmen have foretold the precise time that the world would end, only to be disappointed. It happened again just a couple of months ago, when a guru in Texas told his followers that on the evening of March 31, God would announce his arrival on Channel 18. This prediction was ridiculous on many counts--why would God choose cable, for example? This prophet was correct, however, in that TV will be the medium of the apocalypse; he just had the wrong listing. The end of the world will come on May 14, 1998, at 9:59:59 p.m. (E.T.) on...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!