THE RALPH KRAMDEN SYNDROME

One of the funniest shows that I ever viewed, (if it can be called a ‘show’ since it consumed a major portion of The Jackie Gleason television program) was “The Honeymooners.”

Following is a synopsis of that mid-50’s weekly TV segment

Played by Jackie Gleason, Ralph Kramden was a bus driver for the fictional Gotham Bus Company based out of Brooklyn, NY. He is never seen driving a bus (except in publicity photos), but is often shown at the bus depot. Ralph is frustrated by his lack of success, and often develops get-rich-quick schemes. Ralph is very short tempered, frequently resorting to bellowing, insults and hollow threats. Well-hidden beneath the many layers of bluster, however, is a soft-hearted man who loves his wife and is devoted to his best pal, Ed Norton. Ralph enjoys bowling, playing pool and being a member in the Loyal Order of Raccoon Lodge (although in several episodes a blackboard at the lodge lists his dues as being in arrears). Ralph was given honorary membership in the union for real New York City bus drivers (Local 100 of the Transport Workers Union) during the run of the show, and a Brooklyn bus depot was named in Gleason's honor after his death (Wikipedia)

Although the segment had a limited run of 39 issues, as it faced stiff completion from “The Perry Como Show,” I think its impact is still being felt today. At least, there are millions of so-called ‘baby boomers’ who remember it well, and videos of the program can still be purchased and viewed internet sites today.

The personality and antics of the middle-aged, overweight bus driver were, it seems to me, almost a mix of the comedy duo, Laurel & Hardy. Whereas, Ralph possessed some ‘there there’ in terms of his innate intelligence, he managed to scheme his ways into the most ridiculous, well, schemes, and almost without fail, he came up on ‘the short end of the stick.’

Perhaps Kramden’s behavior patterns had been role-modeled by his father. He seemed to have a sense of entitlement characterized by, as the synopsis implies, investing money in ‘sure to win’ but, on a practical basis, sure to fail, get rich quick ventures. If he could just make it work one time, he’d be able to get out of the second class shambles of a neighborhood in which he lived, and go on to live happily ever after with his beloved, Alice. 

As a counselor, I’m convinced old Ralph’s attitude and behavior has something to teach us. Although, as we used to say in the south, he was ‘funny as all get out,’ what he had going on doesn’t get it done in the real world.

WHAT FEELS GOOD DOESN’T ALWAYS WORK GOOD

Ralph was a creature of his emotions. His innate desire to ‘hit the big time’ got the best of him, and he surrendered whatever smidgen of logic he possessed when the stimulus to do otherwise came knocking at his door. It felt good, but it didn’t always work good.

HE INVOLVED OTHER PEOPLE IN HIS SHENANIGANS 

Ralph couldn’t help but to share his wild and wacky ideas with Ed Norton, his tenement neighbor. Though Ed was often tempted to say, ‘No’ and though he wasn’t as easily led astray as his rotund friend, he was easily persuadable and he loved his buddy far too much to allow him to go it alone.

HE DIDN’T LEARN FROM HIS MISTAKES

N.A. has a definition for Insanity which, even as a counselor, I cannot nay-say. 

“Repeating the same mistakes (time and time again) and expecting different results.”

That’s what Ralph did. And time and time again, he ‘went down in flames.’

To put a positive spin on a negative behavior pattern I have often admonished my clients,

“If you want something you’ve never had, you may have to do something you’ve never done.”

HE WAS JUST PLAIN STUCK

Like waking up with your feet in a wet gray mixture …and discovering its concrete.

The poor man was stuck in his ways, and he wasn’t interesting in changing.

Among the thousands of clients with whom I’ve worked over the course of a quarter century, I’ve met far too many men and women who fit this profile.

Too many of God’s creatures are content to be mediocre, or at the least haven’t a clue how to break out of those stale old, dysfunctional patterns of behavior. They fall short of God’s plans and purposes, seem content to while away their years, and never fulfill the destiny He designed for them 

…before He made the worlds.

   By William McDonald, PhD. Excerpt from (Mc)Donald's Daily Diary. Vol. 23. Copyright pending
 
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