TV Programming will continue to get SMARTER

The Simpsons was created in December of 1989 and will continue through at least the 2005 season, as a popular show I might add. It's not considered 'intelligent TV, but based upon the Nielsen numbers it is entertaining to many.' I think it's rather amazing to consider where we all were in 1989... MOST, if not everyone reading this blog had NO CLUE what the Internet was let alone online community or interactivity. And many in Hollywood wonder why the young, affluent, well educated audience is no longer addicted to prime time broadcasts. Can someone (other than me) articulate the fact that the basic concept of TV has not changed since 1941 (63 years ago). Whereas, society is undergoing a massive restructering of information digestion unequaled in human history.

It's no longer about the newspapers, or radio, or TV, or gathering gossip at the country store, it's all about how the Internet is converging all of these and becoming the most powerful mass media, personal advisor ever.

The measurement criteria is probably not THAT wrong. Most everyone I know HATES the fact that TV talks down to them, and they are finding solace on the Internet which is designed with really two powerful components: 1) The NET assumes you're smart -or addicted to porn 2) It's designed to foster discovery!

I just got back from a Hollywood studio who called & asked me to PITCH MY TV SHOW and am letting off a bit of the adrenaline steam that comes from these sorts of passionate attempts to generate massive revenue for my houses, cars, masters degree, partners, and kids' future MIT doctorates:
Here's the gist of the meeting.
1) We think TV Programming is (should continue to be) stupid
2) We think you are really smart and ahead of the curve
3) We THINK TV audiences are stupid
4) Can you show us your web service where your REALITY TV CONTESTANTS form TEAMS online? This will help us to visualize what you are talking about. We want to continue to discuss the show with you...

So, there is certainly an old school 'mindset' that exists within the TV industry.
It now makes perfect sense why the Internet is stealing away the young, affluent, well educated audiences from the 1940's couch potato TV mindlessness. I'm building a smarter TV!

Mindless (but mostly fun) shows created before the Internet really 'took off':
Beavis and Butt Head
Simpsons
Seinfield
Friends

Shows that most everyone I know thinks are popular:
CSI (SMART, find it, solve it)
Dateline (SMART)
20/20 (SMART)
48 Hours (SMART)
American Idol (Finding and Proving Real Talent, See other's dreams, dare to dream...)
Survivor (Psychology of Teams...SMART from a Game Theory perspective)
The Apprentice (Entrepreneurial...SMART)
Cold Case (SMART, Find it, solve it)
Queer Eye (SMART, Learn-Fashion, FIX IT)
Radical Sabbatical (RISK, SMART, See other's dreams, dare to dream...)
Jeopardy (Old School Smart, NOT INTERNET SMART...so I don't count Jeopardy, but I know some geeks will hammer me as to why I didn't list it, so it's here just to appease)

We are heading into very smart TV; that is IF the execs want to compete with the power of the NET.