Review: Be careful what you wish for?
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 07 6, 2011
"So I say this rhyme built by designTo take you beyond space and timeSaid who is the man making diamonds out of coalThe man pushing buttons on remote control"(Remote Control - Beastie Boys)This short story is about Harry, a lazy, fat plumber who can't even fit under a sink any more.  The only good thing is that Harry's plumber's crack is usually snugly tucked away in his old couch in front of the television, and therefore safely out of public view.Much to the disgust and chagrin of his wife Beatrice, Harry spends his days doing nothing more strenuous than changing the channels and making wishes for a better life.However, one day in a Twilight Zone flash, things seem to be looking up when he discovers that there's a strange new relationship between himself, his trusty remote and his ancient television.Some things are just too good to be true.Told in a folksy, around the camp-fire style, Remote Control combines urban legend with sci-fi and some ugly truths about familiarity breeding contempt.Amanda Richards, July 6, 2011