Thoughts on 'The Obama Show'

That Barack Obama's campaign has selected a Wednesday at 8 p.m. slot to run its half-hour infomercial is pretty convenient for networks, given that some broadcasters are struggling to draw viewers to that time period anyway -- "Obama ... cancels 'Knight Rider,'" is how Gawker gleefully put it.

And Obama really should trump the talking car. By the numbers, Obama is one of the biggest breakout TV stars of the season. His convention speech drew more than 38 million viewers. You know which primetime TV series drew 38 million viewers? None.

Some of Obama, John McCain, Joe Biden and Sarah Palin's recent primetime appearances (the speeches, the debates) attracted more viewers than the usual audiences for "Grey's Anatomy" and "Heroes" combined. While the Big Four broadcasters (CBS largely an exception) have struggled to retain viewer interest in key returning shows. Now, there's a host of rules governing the transactions between candidates and networks, and election season news specials are not considered directly profitable for broadcasters. But, just looking at the ratings, this fall the networks should be paying the politicians.

Also, networks will almost certainly not be able to run ads during Obama's ad to otherwise monetize the time (though NBC's Ben Silverman could presumably negotiate some product placement -- hey, the senator needs to drive places, doesn't he?). But heavy tune-in for the Obama special could give 9 p.m. shows a stronger lead-in than, say, recent episodes of "Pushing Daisies."

Lingering questions:

-- What's the format of "The Obama Show?" The campaign has been mum so far.

-- What will CNN and Fox News air during Obama's ad?

ABC News reports MSNBC is also on board to air the special, presumably through an ad sales bundle deal with NBC. But this is the sort of unusual and high-profile political event that the other cable news networks will make an effort to cover whether Obama buys time on their channels or not.

Such is the strangeness of the current political and TV industry landscape.

Viewer interest in this election is so high ... and audience interest in entertainment programming is so half-hearted ... that Obama is paying for airtime that some media outlets would probably give him for free.

Comments

[STEVEN]

looks like that night i shall be busy making passionate love to my girl. sorry obama im busy lol

[vanderleun]

The O-Crowd is obviously too young to have seen, or even caught on late-night TV, the film called "A Bridge Too Far."

I'd like to see a running score of viewers from minute one to minute 30.

[James]

Since I'm outside the battleground States I'm really looking forward to this event (and for many of us supporting Obama it is an event).

For comic relief perhaps McCain could follow with the Best of Palin starring Tina Fey (as captured in my website http://www.palinomaly.com).

[jwlagina]

I'm curious as to what this will be. He doesn't seem to need it with the McCain/Palin ticket imploding. I am impressed with his honorable campaign. This is the man that can bring this country back together after Bush divided it.

[John]

I saw a copy of the script. He plans to walk on water, heal the cripples, then raise JFK from the dead and make him Secretary of State.

[Kevin]

This guy has fooled so many Americans. Since when are people so stupid that they believe a guy who promotes "Change", but has no history of creating "Change." People are so ignorant these days. Look at his record people. There is none that indicates change.

[Dave]

Obama has confidence of himself which is positive to win this campaign, at least his trying to talk to the people on a 30 min TV Ad, making conscience that his ready to be our president. lets give him a chance maybe that the guy we have been waiting for years to change our policy towards Iraq and our economy. i hope in these days people dont judge for skin color but rather for our acts and philosophies toward life. i hope you vote for you a candidate that match with your life style.

[Bill Wilson]

I spent half of the 80's and all of the 90's working to put my small business together. I was selling windows in houses till late hours of the night while the rest of my friends and family were off doing what they wanted. I worked hard. Today, my dream is to sent my 4 children to college without any government assistance and to help pay for my mother to live in a decent alzheimhers home. I ask no help from anyone. Now that my business is starting to pay off, Barack Obama wants me to pick up the tab for health insurance for my staff, which I cannot afford..at the same time he wants to raise my taxes, thus rendering all of the hard work I've put into my life's work, for nothing. THIS is fair? PLEASE consider voting for McCain because Obama is just plain wrong for the America that I've always believed in. Thank you!

[Carol]

Guess I'll be going to bed early tonight. OR, I could watch something on pay-per view.
Is he full of himself or what? Debates weren't GOOD enough for him? No, now he'll have an infomercial (only we don't get to buy the mop at the end) containing a bunch of lies about McCain and McCain can't defend himself. Shows to me being a chicken, he didn't answer some of the questions during the debates. Especially the one about, will you sit here face to face and call McCain the names on your ads? McCain answered it, he never did. I really don't understand the mindset of the people voting for him, I feel sorry for you. You are buying into the whole "This country needs a change." You seem to forget that #1-The problems we have now, economically speaking, started in the Clinton era. #2-We have a democratic congress now which means for the most part, republican hands are tied.
Oh, and where did he get the money for this infomercial.....people who are voting for him need to wake up and FOLLOW THE MONEY....
McCain is not my first choice either, I feel I am voting for the "lesser of two evils."

[Carol]

"I saw a copy of the script. He plans to walk on water, heal the cripples, then raise JFK from the dead and make him Secretary of State."

Posted by: John | October 29, 2008 at 12:14 AM

I LOVE IT.....THE PROBLEM MIGHT BE IS HE THE 666.....

[Barry]

Does the phrase "ObamaNation that causes desolation" ring a bell for anyone? (Think Bible)

[Char]

"We can not expect the Americans to jump from capitalism to communism, but we can assist their elected leaders in giving Americans small doses of socialism until they suddenly awake to find they have communism." Nikita Khrushchev 1959

[Stuart]

WOW .... He already is acting like a dictator and hes not even in office. Every time I saw his picture plastered on huge signs, I thought of some communist nations that had their dictator up like that. Sorry, Obama, I have already passed on your special and guess what? I feel so much better.

[John]

It's so nice to see obama use millions to promote himself and create his election party, while the rest of the nation is in financial turmoil. Now, he expected us to watch another half hour of his babble --- THANKS BUT NO THANKS

[Peter Alcantara]

for a guy promoting "change" and bashing the rich he sure did spend alot of his campaign money on an ad like this. If he spends campaign money frivolously how is he going to spend all the tax money he wants? this guy is a self-aggrandizing disgrace.

[Hal]

Surely enough americans will see that Obama is nothing but a brilliant orator on a line with Castro, Gadafi,Hitler etc etc. Just look at there record when they got into power. OK McCain is not the perfect one, but please for the sake of the USA and the World vote for McCain at not risk having a dictator with no idea how to sort out the present problems. Hope for the World???!!!!!!