Spreading Good News
Most of us are stuck at home with limited contact to our friends and family while the repetition of “six feet!” is costing us our sanity. It’s not easy to stay home while bombarded with what feels like constant negativity from pandemic media coverage, social media or the radio. In these difficult times, it can be hard to find a silver lining.
Now more than ever, we must practice patience and appreciate the ones around us by spreading as much joy as possible. Boston’s own John Krasinski, known for his character as Jim Halpert on “The Office,” has taken measures of spreading positivity into his own hands. “Only Good News” (O.G.N.), live from Krasinski’s home desk, connects with viewers on YouTube with funny home videos, tips to spend self-isolation effectively, and uplifting highlight clips of patients leaving the hospital to a thunderous ovation. the show simply tries to shed some light on these dark times. All Krasinski wants is put a smile on your face for 15 minutes of your time.
The videos have something for everyone, like World War II veterans busting a move to a Justin Timberlake song. Even the absence of professional sports on television has been addressed in episode three. Krasinski brings on Fox Sports broadcaster Joe Buck as a guest host to commentate at-home sports like emptying the dishwasher in 60 seconds and even “Tide Pod basketball” with Buck’s signature play-by-play.
Krasinski is a die hard Boston sports fan who recently teamed up with local celebrities such as Chris Evans and David Ortiz to film a hilarious “smaht pahk” Hyundai Super Bowl commercial. Arguably the highlight of the web series so far comes in the final minutes of episode three, where John changes the lives of five Boston doctors forever. Big Papi and Krasinski surprised five doctors from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center’s COVID Unit with five seats to the Red Sox for life! Krasinski, who has been waiting for his own season tickets for 16 years, got a little help from Ortiz to help the hospital score the tickets. After all, “the calendar doesn’t really begin until the first pitch is thrown on opening day” and who could disagree.
The tickets were only part of the gift however. After Krasinski and Ortiz expressed unconditional thanks to healthcare workers via Zoom, he had them walk outside to the street. Waiting for them was a parade-style Duck Boat bringing the crew to Fenway for yet another surprise.
When the team of heroes arrived to Fenway Park, they were escorted onto the field where a thank you video was played on the big screen of the entire Red Sox team, Mayor Marty Walsh and Governor Charlie Baker applauding them. The staff of Beth Israel’s COVID-19 unit threw out the first pitch of the 2020 season! These selfless Bostonians deserved every moment out there running the bases of Fenway.
Seeing nurses and doctors smile is heartwarming and it seems like Krasinski is not stopping here. We can all at least look forward to watching these videos that provide us with a bit of hope and appreciation to our friends on the frontline. “Some Good News” hit a home run.
