[Hyacinth Bucket]

"Yes, I do know them. Do you? Their jobs depend on ratings, not on social manipulation."

Do you really know them? I really didn't want to bring this up but these businessmen we're talking about are either gays or someone with a "progressive" liberal lifestyle. If they are not into social engineering in addition to making money, why do so many shows on TV either have a gay character or have innuendos? Did people ask for these characters and lines to be included in the shows? I highly doubt it. This is called social engineering!

[StupidQuestions]

It is profits. One of the longest running Broadway shows involved a Gay couple. Sometimes it is funny. If it is not, it is gone. You think social engineering is discussed in board rooms?

I think money is. Ratings, profits, returns on investment, demographic trends and, syndication rights and profits. You really believe Jack Welch ran NBC with an eye toward social engineering? Trust me --- his eye was on G.E. stock prices and profits.

[NewRomeTacitus]

While personally revolted by much free programming I understand the networks' dilemna of having to maintain ratings share against cable while maintaining enough advertising revenue to continue.
The air I breathe in the city is unhealthy, yet it sustains my life while I earn enough to continue.
It's all about what you'd like compared to the worst case scenario.
My TV of 18 years finally wonked out and I bought a TV card for the computer. WinTV faithfully crashes my computer within an hour of activation (Athlon incompatability). While waiting for a reboot something more important than watching TV usually comes up. Ergo, I don't much care about fixing that crash problem because it's "parental limitation" forces me to be more productive with my spare time. Sometimes actual thinking occurs without the recycled blathering of actors in the background.
Less TV is a good thing, as Martha is about to discover.

[honeygrl]

"If they are not into social engineering in addition to making money, why do so many shows on TV either have a gay character or have innuendos? Did people ask for these characters and lines to be included in the shows? I highly doubt it. This is called social engineering!"

Because those shows get MORE RATINGS. Ever watch Will&Grace? It's hilarious and I'm sure makes them great money. Obviously people do want to watch those types of things because if it didn't make money, it wouldn't be on the air. It's ALL ABOUT MONEY.