The 2013 Oscar telecast was newsworthy for many reasons — both the obvious and some unique reasons. But the most visible result (at least right here) is that it spurred me to post something new for the first time since December.
Face it — Network TV is a dinosaur. It is a Dead Man Walking. It doesn’t know it has died and has not yet laid down in a grave. The networks flail around trying to attract a public that is more interested in something that respects their intelligence and gives quality instead of pandering to advertisers.
One example is the three yearly broadcasts of Ricky Gervais hosting the Golden Globes awards Gervais is well known for his snarky style, and the producers obviously thought he’s got that “edgy” attitude that would bring about some excietment and some buzz to the awards show. It did — and the feedback was usually that people were outraged by his behavior. Perfect! The awards show got attention and people would turn in to see what the bad-boy would do next.
Oscar producers tried the same strategy with Seth McFarlane. He is far from an unknown quality. McFarlane is one of the most prolific producers of multimedia comedy working today. He has at least three television shows in production and scored a huge hit with the theatrical film “Ted.” So getting him to be host was obviously done with eyes wide open.
Looking at the resulting headlines tells the stories. His opening number “I Saw Your Boobs” was offensive to women. His “Ted” presentation with Mark Wahlberg was offensive to Jews. His irreverent attitude toward Hollwood and Movies and Oscars was basically offensive to to everybody. Or so the Outrage-Press would have us believe.
In other words — the strategy worked like a charm Look for other programs to try this tactic now that it is well-proven.
WBW
Filed under Media by on Feb 26th, 2013. Comment. 
Has Network TV lost so much of its audience during the past decade (or two) because it can’t show nudity? Because it only grudgingly and inconsistently allows “strong” language? Because it doesn’t dare to attempt to cover really deep, raw, gritty story subjects.
From the New Yorker, June 2006
Part of the problem stems from the above reasons. But ALL of the reason boils down to the reliance on commercial sponsors.
Since the dawn of TV, the sponsors have owned the programming and — as a result — the networks. None of the major networks will dare to cross the advertisers.
How about the FCC? No — networks challenge the FCC all the time. Sometimes they have to pay fines. But they seem to be OK with that.
The biggest problem is satisfying the advertisers that there will be people watching the programs that a Network puts on the air.
And not just any people — the RIGHT people.
Dividing the audience by sex, income level, age and other factors is called “demographics.” TV
Read more on Why Network TV Is Dying Out…
Filed under Media by on May 22nd, 2012. Comment.
In the past few years, we’ve seen collections of popular serial media collected all in one place at one time — and it is a treasure trove for the consumer (fan).
For example, I bought a multi-CD-Rom set of every MAD magazine published from the very first issue up to about the year 2000. It not only included all the pages from the magazines, but all the extras that came in those mags over the years — sound files from the flexi records and other great stuff.
I also bought the collection of the entire history of National Lampoon.
In both cases, I bought or subscribed to these magazines at one time, and of course I read them. However, the originals are long gone.
I’m not a collector. I don’t care if I have the physical specimen in mint condition. I’m just that kid who enjoyed funny magazines — all growed up — and I’m able to look at, cross rerference and enjoy them all in so many ways.
Movies are also terrific — all the sequals and originals (Godfather, Star Wars, whatever) and TV series are great to watch a whole season at one time. I’m several years behind on some of them, but I’m catching up (now on season 3 of “House, MD” and just starting “Weeds.”)
As I often tell my wife, “Ain’t it wonderful to live in the future?”
Wade
Filed under Media by on Feb 27th, 2011. Comment.
