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Reading the Trades

posted by [personal profile] rfunk at 05:56pm on 06/06/2007 under , ,
The TV-watchers among you are probably familiar with the new CW Network, the result of a merger between UPN and WB. Now CW is going to have a show with no commercials. Well, no traditional commercials...
The network plans to air "CW Now" without commercial interruptions. Instead of buying spots, MediaVest clients, including top advertisers Procter & Gamble, Wal-Mart, Kraft, Masterfoods and Activision, will be integrated into segments of the show dealing with topics such as what's hot in music, beauty and fashion to reach the fickle 18-34 demographic.
So because you and I and everyone else don't want to watch commercials and use DVRs to skip them (or just download commercial-free versions), TV shows themselves are turning into commercials. Of course, Smallville watchers have probably seen that coming for a while now.
Mood:: 'cynical' cynical
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There are 11 comments on this entry. (Reply.)
 

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posted by [identity profile] wishesofastar.livejournal.com at 10:29pm on 06/06/2007
I have noticed my desire for a Yaris strangely increasing.
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posted by [identity profile] rfunk.livejournal.com at 09:30pm on 07/06/2007
Best comment of them all.

At least the Yaris stuff isn't as clumsy as that AccuVue thing was.
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posted by [identity profile] wishesofastar.livejournal.com at 10:14pm on 07/06/2007
It's true! That AccuVue "ad" was hilarious.
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posted by [identity profile] the-shampoo.livejournal.com at 12:17am on 07/06/2007
I hate product placement most of the time, though I think its funny when Mike Meyers does it. I've been noticing it in my favorite shows more and more. At the very least, its not so horrible if they make it subtle or brief.
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posted by [identity profile] rfunk.livejournal.com at 09:34pm on 07/06/2007
With fiction shows, I don't mind so much if it's done as part of the scenery and doesn't draw attention -- but they want to draw attention so that's rare these days. With nonfiction like this upcoming show (which admittedly I wouldn't watch anyway), it begs the question of credibility -- what are they saying (or not saying) just because it's a sponsor?

But then, I have similar questions just listening to NPR and hearing that ADM or Wal-Mart are "underwriters".
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posted by [identity profile] nicosomething.livejournal.com at 03:34am on 07/06/2007
I really hope this works out, I'm amazed when someone manages to do a decent story in the half hour time slot anymore since there is so little show left. I'll endure product placement if it means we get a better show out of the deal. Of course the key question is if the show will be any good or did they use up all their creativity on the commercial gimmick.

Although I am reminded of Attack of the Killer Tomatoes 2.
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posted by [identity profile] rfunk.livejournal.com at 09:37pm on 07/06/2007
I just don't see how "better show" and "more product placement" can coexist. Smallville and Alias are two shows that come to mind in which obvious product placement has made the show worse.

There was a *second* Attack of the Killer Tomatoes? Oh my.
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posted by [identity profile] chronarchy.livejournal.com at 10:10pm on 07/06/2007
And a third
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posted by [identity profile] chronarchy.livejournal.com at 03:10pm on 07/06/2007
I'm highly amused at some of the insanely obvious product placement that goes on in Smallville, particularly the episode last season with the major contacts ad in it, and a few other silly little things.

It causes some real continuity issues, particularly with "Why is Chloe driving yet another different car this season? Does being an intern at the Daily Planet really pay that well?" or "Why doesn't anyone need to sell their car when they go to Paris for a summer? Wait, that's a shiny new version of the same car!"

But then, I'm still looking forward to the episode, "The Day Nothing Happened And Clark Just Did His Chores."
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Smallville Follies

posted by [identity profile] rfunk.livejournal.com at 09:46pm on 07/06/2007
The contacts thing was definitely a memorable low point. The Yaris stuff hasn't been nearly as bad.

Clark does his chores in an instant, so he has plenty of time to get in trouble every day. Or at least every week.

If you start trying to ask practical questions about Smallville it never ends. Does Clark have no income? What does Lana do for money without Lex? Did everybody give up on college after imitating a couple Buffy episodes?

I think Chloe keeps getting new cars because she's constantly wearing out the cars speeding back and forth between Smallville and Metropolis. And hasn't Lana destroyed a few of them now?

Yeah. Worst writing of any show I watch, but somehow I still enjoy it.
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Re: Smallville Follies

posted by [identity profile] chronarchy.livejournal.com at 10:07pm on 07/06/2007
My gods, the car budget for a single episode alone must be amazing! I noticed that several seasons ago. Add in the number of tractors that get destroyed in each episode, and the various other bits of farm machinery, and demolition derbies damage fewer vehicles.

I can't imagine what the Kent's homeowners' insurance is like.

As for what Lana does for money without Lex, I suggest that she gets "blowed up."

Like that happens to anyone in Smallville. . .

Hehe. I am wondering how long they can run the series at this point. I'll enjoy it until it finishes, but gee wiz, they're milking a *lot* out of it.
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