Hero’s – Real, Unwatchable, and Mine!

The cast of NBC's Hero's

I got into a debate the other day with a friend about the TV show Hero's. It is the same debate that I have had with fans of the show many time's. They rave about the story and the characters and the value the show brings to prime time television. I counter and say that my attempts to watch the show are never satisfying. That the characters and story fail to draw me in and often within minutes of tuning in my mind is wondering millions of other place but on the NBC show. The effects are a highlight and the one spot which we usually agree.

My inability to connect with a show like Hero's is probably not a view of just this show. It is more about what type of movies or television shows that capture an interest. Despite being a child of the TV generation and media and pop culture - I do have interest and can't just mindlessly pop all over the TV landscape and every program that is "the show" of that season, or month, week or day!

My debaters over Hero's often tell me that I am not a Sci-Fi or fantasy fan. That's not really a true statement. I love Star Trek, Star Wars - and they are Sci-Fi. The difference is the "reality" factor. I enjoy television and engage with shows that don't require me to check my concept of the world around me. A show like Hero's is based in the present time frame but obviously there are not people in our real world with these skills and the major explosions and attacks are not a part of reality. It is the same feeling I had with the 80's comedy ALF! Cute show but never connected because fuzzy aliens to live in suburbia.

With Star Trek - since the show is based in the distant future, I don't have a "reality" basis to which I have to reconcile if and how the happenings on screen are happening. Even films of fantasy like Harry Potter or Narnia - the settings are not real so my mind is more open to anything that happens as part of the story.

Speaking of Hero's and reality ... recently a recruiter asked me who my hero's were. That's a tough question in a job interview process - since I work in branding and marketing do I say advertising icon Donny Deutsh? Is Gandhi too political, the Pope too spiritual of an answer? I didn't debate too long and went to the answer I've given to that question for more than 20 years - my father.

The recruiter looked at me and then said "isn't that cliché or just an easy, safe or unimaginative answer to the question." I knew what she was trying to get at - she wanted to say - "This is a job interview boy, and I am trying to learn about you through this question and you say your daddy. How boring!"

I quickly spoke up and in a way that showed who I was and why that was my answer. "Did you know my dad or have the opportunity to meet him," I said, trying not to let my sarcastic personality tone my words. She answered that she had not. "Then how can you say that my response is cliché or safe?"

Jim Hennessey, Sr. (yes I am a junior) - is the person who influenced and shaped who I am personally and professionally. And despite the fact he passed away when I was in my 20's still transformed from being my dad into my best friend even today.

My Hero is defined by heart, commitment and security.

Security doesn't mean in a physical nature, though I would say that my dad provided that as well. The security my dad showed and taught me was the father-son bond, the ability to share anything with him, being a man of your word, and the warmth of his approval.

In my teenage year's I was a typical guy exploring my awakening sexuality. One Saturday afternoon my mind and basic comparative science left me in a painful and somewhat embarrassing moment of such exploration. I don't remember how I got dad's attention to help me - but when he walked in, saw what happened, he quickly stepped out and back with some WD-40, rectified the situation, smiled, patted me on the head and walked out. Never said a judging or critical word or laughed at me, never ever mentioned it again the rest of his life and left me knowing that the incident was a dad-son moment and mattered nothing to anyone else. What a sense of security and trust between two people.

Sunday morning I woke up and on my desk was a book that dad had got as a Secret Santa exchange - "Everything you ever wanted to know about sex - but were afraid to ask." The note attached was simple - "You're old enough to read this - and don't ever be afraid to ask me anything - dad!" I don't know if at 16 I grasped the depth of what he really meant. The note disappeared fairly quickly but the meaning and message has remained and grown in my heart.

There were two things that my dad was committed to in life - family and his job. He never slacked on making sure they both had the time commitment necessary, the commitment of resources he provided, and most of all commitment from his heart and soul. He committed to my mother for 48 years in marriage and after leaving the Navy committed to a career with the Army/Defense Department for 40 years.

Commitment to family and job also meant that he dug in a worked until the job was done. He was a workaholic even in the non tech generation. He lived for the satisfaction of the job well done, not the accolades of others. He worked hard and earned every cent of what he brought home. And went home each night knowing that he did his absolute best - because if he hadn't he wouldn't leave till he did.

Last I told the interviewer about my hero's heart. Dad cared about the people around him at home and work. He knew that the simple act of believing in someone could motivate and propel someone when that person succeeded he shared in the celebration.

Lastly about heart - I really only had four years as an adult with my dad. He knew it was important to change our bond from father-son into best friends and not only did he make that transition it was a priority to him. We talked as men. He instilled in me the character of the gentleman I am today. He spoke straightforward to me about what he expected of his son that would carry forward the Hennessey name. He also was there to celebrate even the smallest of professional achievements of my early career.

There was an awkward silence before I ended saying - "if your question was to see how a hero impacted me, I will say this - my hero taught me to be confident, a man of my word, be a hard worker, not a clock watcher, and to be there for the people around me and to celebrate them, more than yourself. If I was sitting in your spot and asked the question - that would be the qualities I want for my company regardless if the source on the surface was cliché."

She closed quietly saying - "not cliché at all. Thanks for sharing that with me. That kind of man is what our world needs more of these days."

15 years after his passing - I will take any opportunity possible to talk about my hero and how great a man he was and remains to me!