"Rarely in broadcasting history has so much been riding on the whimsical flick of a few thousand wrists"
- Harriet Van Horne
About this Quote
This quote by Harriet Van Horne is referring to the power of television audiences. In the past, tv networks relied greatly on the scores of their shows to determine their success. The scores were identified by the number of individuals who tuned in to view the show. For that reason, the fate of a show was in the hands of the viewers, and the whimsical flick of a few thousand wrists might identify whether a show was a hit or a flop. This quote highlights the significance of tv audiences and how their decisions can have a big effect on the success of a program. It also stresses the power of the audiences and how their choices can shape the future of tv.
"A lawyer without history or literature is a mechanic, a mere working mason; if he possesses some knowledge of these, he may venture to call himself an architect"
"We have our own history, our own language, our own culture. But our destiny is also tied up with the destinies of other people - history has made us all South Africans"
"It is humiliating to remain with our hands folded while others write history. It matters little who wins. To make a people great it is necessary to send them to battle even if you have to kick them in the pants. That is what I shall do"