ABC NEWS SPECIAL: THE MYSTERY OF HAPPINESS: WHO HAS IT. . . HOW TO GET IT (TV)
Summary
This news special, hosted by ABC correspondent John Stossel, examines the history, the pursuit, and the ingredients of happiness. The program begins with the premise that happiness is a relatively recent concept in Western history. Stossel suggests that three hundred years ago, life was full of poverty, disease, and hardship; it was a struggle that had to be endured in order to achieve everlasting happiness in Heaven. He also suggests that Thomas Jefferson's notion of the right to the pursuit of happiness was a radical idea that changed the face of American life. Next, Stossel and author David G. Myers, Ph.D., look at the myths of happiness. They state that happiness is not found in the temporary pleasures provided by drugs, sex, food, or material items; nor does it come from money. Once people are beyond the poverty level, they adjust to their financial situation and have equal chances at happiness. Interviews with several lottery winners and a poll of Forbes' wealthiest follow. Stossel then speaks with several university professors whose research demonstrates that happiness is largely affected by genetics. Some researchers found that identical twins, whether raised together or raised apart, shared similar dispositions and degrees of happiness.
Other researchers found that happiness is derived from the amount of activity in a certain portion of the brain. And some studies showed that people's dispositions remained the same from infancy on. Next is an exploration of the factors that contribute to happiness: first, people are happier when they have a certain amount of control over their lives. Second, optimism can lead to happiness. Olympic swimmer Matt Biondi and U.S. Senator and ex-Vietnam POW John McCain explain how optimism helped them overcome hardships and reach high levels of achievement. Third, faith and a rich spiritual or religious life are shown to be contributing factors. People find comfort in the sense of purpose and the belief in a higher power provided by religion. Fourth, involvement in challenging activities raises people's overall happiness. Interviews with several individuals who find joy in work and hobbies follow. Lastly, close relationships with others are found to be essential to happiness. An Amish community is used as an example of people who have rejected the technology and materialism of modern America and found happiness. Finally, Stossel explores the ways in which people can begin to change their own lives and achieve a higher level of happiness, as well as the reasons why unhappiness is also a necessary part of life. Includes commercials, promos, and public service announcements. Includes commercials with Elizabeth Taylor for Black Pearls and Christy Turlington for Maybelline. This program is closed-captioned.
Details
- NETWORK: ABC
- DATE: April 15, 1996 Monday 10:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:58:39
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:43024
- GENRE: Specials; Education/Information
- SUBJECT HEADING: Genetics; Happiness
- SERIES RUN: ABC - TV, 1996
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - AT&T communications
- TV - Commercials - Buick automobiles
- TV - Commercials - Cadillac automobiles
- TV - Commercials - Elizabeth Taylor Black Pearls fragrance
- TV - Commercials - GoodYear tires
- TV - Commercials - Maybelline cosmetics
- TV - Commercials - McDonaldÕs restaurants
- TV - Commercials - Pontiac automobiles
- TV - Commercials - Prudential Securities financial service
- TV - Commercials - Tagamet HB antacid
- TV - Commercials - Time Life Medical educational video series
- TV - Commercials - Toyota automobiles
- TV - Commercials - Tylenol pain reliever
- TV - Commercials - United Parcel Service delivery service
- TV - Commercials - Vaseline Intensive Care lotion
- TV - PSA- Education Excellence Partnership
- TV - PSA- Fannie Mae Foundation
- TV - Promos - Ò20/20Ó
- TV - Promos - ÒAn Unfinished AffairÓ
- TV - Promos - ÒLarry McMurtryÕs Dead ManÕs WalkÓ
- TV - Promos - ÒLethal Weapon 3Ó (telecast of a feature film)
- TV - Promos - ÒMurder One: The VerdictÓ
- TV - Promos - ÒMy Son Is InnocentÓ
- TV - Promos - ÒNYPD BlueÓ
- TV - Promos - ÒPrime TimeÓ
- TV - Promos - ÒScent of a WomanÓ (telecast of a feature film)
- TV - Promos - ÒShe Woke Up PregnantÓ
- TV - Promos - ÒThe FirmÓ (telecast of a feature film)
- TV - Promos - ÒThe RookieÓ (telecast of a feature film)
- TV - Promos - ÒTurning PointÓ (telecast of a feature film)
- TV - Promos - ÒWhite Men CanÕt JumpÓ (telecast of a feature film)
- TV - Promos - ÒWho Makes You LaughÓ
CREDITS
- Victor Neufeld … Executive Producer
- David Sloan … Senior Producer
- Marc Dorian … Producer
- Brian Ellis … Producer
- Allison Craiglow Hockenberry … Producer
- Siobhan Nolan … Associate Producer
- Pamm Troutman … Associate Producer
- Susan Pomerantz … Special Segment Producer
- Roger Goodman … Director
- Dorothy Newell … Writer
- Debbie Stone … Researcher
- Todd Seavey … Researcher
- John Stossel … Correspondent
- Matt Biondi
- Thomas Jefferson
- John McCain
- David G. Myers