Compulsory Television
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Compulsory Television

November 2, 2000
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I think about NBC’s Thursday night line-up: “Must-See T.V.”

What does that mean? Is viewing a requirement — like paying taxes? Like dying? If I have plans, must I cancel them? Are there penalties for not watching? How are they enforced? T.V. cops? T.V. courts?

What if Must See TV really was a must? Every Thursday night, bars and restaurants and malls would close up early. Children would scurry to finish homework by 8:00 Eastern, 7:00 Central.

Would Friends be funny if you had to watch it?

Would Just Shoot Me be funnier if that’s what they did when you didn’t?

I think about NBC’s Thursday night line-up: “Must-See T.V.”

What does that mean? Is viewing a requirement — like paying taxes? Like dying? If I have plans, must I cancel them? Are there penalties for not watching? How are they enforced? T.V. cops? T.V. courts?

What if Must See TV really was a must? Every Thursday night, bars and restaurants and malls would close up early. Children would scurry to finish homework by 8:00 Eastern, 7:00 Central.

Would Friends be funny if you had to watch it?

Would Just Shoot Me be funnier if that’s what they did when you didn’t?

Mark McElroy

I'm a husband, mystic, writer, media producer, creative director, tinkerer, blogger, reader, gadget lover, and pizza fiend.

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Who Wrote This?

Mark McElroy

I'm a husband, mystic, writer, media producer, creative director, tinkerer, blogger, reader, gadget lover, and pizza fiend.

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