CCAS
 by Cliff Garber  ·  4 November 2007

I am a victim of Chronic Collective Audience Syndrome (CCAS pronounced see-cas). There. I have admitted it. Normally that is the first step to recovery, but I do not want to be recovered. I am far too happy the way I am.

In my case, I absolutely enjoy being part of an audience and experiencing things as part of a group. There are four main activities in my audience type life — films, Trinity College football, Bentley College women’s basketball, and the me&thee. Yesterday, my football Bantams won a thrilling game against Amherst with the Trinity side of the stands hooting and hollering and pounding on the metal stands — in general having a blast. It certainly satisfied my CCAS fix.

I could stay home and watch games and movies on TV but it is not the same. If a tree falls in the forest and I see it on TV does it matter? I no longer work so I have no water cooler to gather around and discuss the falling tree. “Was it pushed?” “Maybe a drug issue” “Did it trip?” No one knows and no one cares.

Using a film as an example – many years ago Glenda Jackson starred in a film called “Stevie.” You can look up the particulars on www.imdb.com. Go ahead, I will be here when you get back. Jackson portrayed an English poet at various stages of her life and was nominated for an Academy Award. The theater in my town (now closed — sniffle) showed it as a benefit for some organization. There were a fair number of people there, many of whom probably had no idea of what the film was about. When it started you could hear people squirming, coughing, munching popcorn, rustling candy wrappers. About 10 minutes into the film you heard nothing as Glenda became Stevie and everyone there was just sucked into her performance. The movie ended, the credits rolled and the lights came on and no one seemed to be in a rush to leave. We were all just bowled over by her performance. I am sure if Glenda Jackson showed up at that very moment she would have been given an Oscar right then and there. I know if I watched the video alone in my living room I would never have that same thrill.

Well, in my experience, the me&thee is like catnip to a kitten for CCAS sufferers. Every week I get a chance to hear great musical moments with a bunch of like minded people. Often it is one particular song that gets everyone into a great mood. Joe Crookston had a lively song about the Ithaca Farmers Market and a bocce-type game involving rutabagas which had everyone clapping and singing along. When April Verch and her band did “Take Me Back”, well, just another wonderful moment. Now when I listen to April’s song on her CD it brings back pleasant memories of her live performance. I could go on and on about the various performers at the me&thee and select highlights or entire concerts that thrilled my CCAS affliction.

Unlike football, basketball or films, the me&thee provides magical moments week after week. I hear people say things like “I never heard of this April Verch Band and I do not think I would like them” or “Crookston and Wictor – who are they?” It must be nice to have one’s likes and dislikes all programmed in. As for me, I am always on the lookout for new “fixes” for my CCAS and each week I look forward to getting my Friday night “fix.”

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