Does television ever get grief right?

The way TV faces loss has changed, but are viewers ready?

By Mary Elizabeth Williams

Senior Writer

Published December 13, 2018 7:00PM (EST)

"Sorry For Your Loss" (Facebook Watch)
"Sorry For Your Loss" (Facebook Watch)

Salon introduces Questions of the Day, where we invite you to lead the conversation.

The Facebook Watch series "Sorry for Your Loss," about a young widow navigating through grief, may not seem like ideal holiday viewing. But our Melanie McFarland says the series is a welcome "straight-on view of mourning" that serves as counter programming to the season's usual "holly-jolly mania." This year, shows like "This Is Us" and "The Conners" have addressed the deaths of major characters, with varying responses from audiences.

What has television taught you about grief and loss? Do you think the format ever gets it right? What are your favorite, or worst, examples?

 

 


By Mary Elizabeth Williams

Mary Elizabeth Williams is a senior writer for Salon and author of "A Series of Catastrophes & Miracles." Follow her on Bluesky @maryelizabethw.

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Facebook Sorry For Your Loss The Conners This Is Us