Sleeve, I am creating a new thread for this post because I am not debating whether Matt knows, just accepting it as fact and (over) analyzing the hidden message.

Awhile ago I took a political theory course where we spent some time deconstructing Walt Disney with the implication being that his cartoon shows had a subliminable pro-communist bent (or pro-capitalist it was so long ago I don't remember). The Simpsons is another example of the use of cartoon to make a political point (leftist propaganda).

Essentially Joe Schmo is the modern cartoon. As far fetched as this will sound the subliminable message it contains is that the Anglo/American invasion of Iraq is a put on.

Matt is a caricature of the bumbling, stumbling George Bush. Brian, the loyal buddy - I think that is his name , fat curly hair guy - represents Blair, and the Hutch is bin Laden, terrorizing the house guests with his crude behaviour. The other guests represent other countries in the Western alliance - (I nominate Kip as France).

We already know the finalists in this conflict are Matt, Brian and Hutch (see the picture: http://www.post-gazette.com/tv/20030902). The show's cover story that Brian and Hutch are adversaries of Matt is no more sustainable than the mass media portrayal of Bush and binLaden as mortal enemies (in fact their two families are long time business partners).

Joe Schmo's subliminable message is that we are a gullible public that actually participates and validates (actors and audience alike)the superficial plots fed to us by the media and the elites who control the media. The joke is on everybody. Why are we so complacent and gullible? Because by international standards we live in the "Lap of Luxury".

I won't even get into the snide references to "working for the man". Just remember as you laugh along to this show you are laughing at yourself.

Bravo to Spike TV for having the courage to expose this sinister brainwashing.