Intervention

Those that know me, know that I am a fan of the TV show "Intervention". For those not familiar with the program, the premise of the show is they find an addict and pose as producers doing a documentary on addiction asking for permission to follow them around for a while. In actuality, the addict's family has contacted the show for help in cleaning up their loved one.

The first 30 minutes of the show documents the addict's current state, which consists of shooting up or guzzling, followed by slurred speech and staggering. The next 20-25 minutes documents the family working with a counsellor to plan and conduct the intervention. Almost always, the addict accepts the offer for help and is sent to a treatment center on a beach somewhere and they get better.

The end of the show is a brief look at the healed addict and their new life. It is always notable how much better they look after 90 days of sobriety and treatment. I think the show must be getting a lot of fans, because it is getting harder to surprise the addict with an intervention. Many know what is coming.

It may be time for the show to expand beyond addiction; maybe documenting any habit of irrational thought would be fair game. As an example, they could begin doing interventions for people who have irrational sports team beliefs. It would go like this. First, you find the "mark", ... let's say a guy who believes the sun rises and sets over a washed up, has been University of Kentucky men's basketball program. Someone who is living on long past accomplishments, and completely blind to recent performance of a mediocre (at best) team. We'll call him Kelly.
Cut to black screen with white text:

Kelly believes he is participating in a documentary aboout irrational thought.

He does not know that he will soon face an intervention.

The first half of the show would document his difficult life living in the past. For example, Kelly will unashamedly and freely state that the best basketball program in history is at the university of Kentucky, that Kentucky put the 'K' in BasKetball, and the home of college basketball is in Kentucky.

The world's most popular sport was invented by James Naismith in 1891.

Six years later, Naismith founded the University of Kansas basketball program and served its first coach.

Ironically, Naismith is the only coach in the program's history to have a losing record

Viewers will be shocked that someone can stoop to such sacrilege. This is the low point in the program. Then Kelly's family will be brought in to force a new bottom (the intervention).

Irrational belief in a sports team reputation can lead to ridicule, severe loss of respect and premature dementia.

Kelly's wife is up first and will say "Honey, you know that I love you, but your problem is affecting me in the following ways. First, you need to understand that I went to Memphis and applied for admission at Kansas. Both those teams have solid basketball programs that have accomplished far more in recent years than UK. The reality is that Kentucky has been in a league with Mississippi State of late. Oh, wait. Mississippi State made the NCAA tournament last year, so scratch that. If you don't control your irrational thoughts, I will be forced to stop watching all basketball with you, and will no longer root for Kentucky against any other team in any sport."

In March 2007, Kansas beats Kentucky 88-76 in the second round of the NCAA tournament. This is Kentucky's last appearance at "the big dance".

Irrational sports team beliefs can be passed on to the next generation.

Then Kelly's brother is next and says "Kelly, you know that I love you. I admit that I am your enabler and I want to apologize for my role in your problem. I know that we were born and raised in Kentucky, and have always been Kentucky fans. But I got to tell you bro, it ain't happening anymore. They have stunk up the last court with me as a fan. I just can't do it any longer, and am pleading with you to get your life back on track. If not for me, do it for your wife man! Think about your unborn kids. Do you want to pass this on to them?"

Kentucky was not selected to participate with the top 64 division 1 teams.

On March 25th, 2009 Kentucky loses to Notre Dame 77-67 in the 3rd round of the National Invitation Tournament.

The NIT is considered to be a consolation tournament for NCAA division 1 programs.

Then a kind and wise uncle would say "Kelly, you know that we love you man, but we can no longer sit by and watch what you are doing with your life. We have exposed you to Kansas basketball, introduced you to Allen Fieldhouse, and provided the example of what a modern college basketball program looks like. Kansas, the birthplace of the sport, have more national championships in the past 30 years than Kentucky does. And look at North Carolina. That Kansas-taught coach has more championships in the last 5 years than Kentucky does in the last 30. Wake up man! Pull it together, you have to snap out of it."

On December 9th, 1989, Kansas routed Kentucky 150-95

It is the largest margin of victory in Kansas history

But only the second largest margin of defeat in Kentucky history

In the end, Kelly will agree to go to treatment where for 90 days he will sit in a sports bar and watch every game from every NCAA tournament in modern history. A barmaid will say that "Kelly really put forth the effort. He watched the games and began to deal with his childish ideas on college basketball programs. I think he has now equipped himself to recognize situations that have caused him problems in the past, and just say no to Kentucky."

3 Months later ...

Kelly is now a Kansas basketball fan