NY Times link…

Fox is attempting to position the show, called “Someone’s Gotta Go,” as less about reveling in other people’s misfortune and more about promoting employee empowerment. You see, the companies will disclose all employee’s salaries, thus allowing colleagues to make sure a deserving person isn’t terminated.

While I am a strong supporter of salary transparency in the workplace, that’s hardly the point behind the show. Fox is just trying to turn a very real and difficult problem into entertainment. What’s next? A reality program where transplant patients vote on who should get stuck at the end of the transplant list? Maybe we can set up some cameras outside a shelter and get homeless people to vote on which of them has to sleep outside once the shelter is full?

As to why any self-respecting small business owner would agree to be a part of Fox’s show, maybe the network is paying the businesses significant money (Fox hasn’t released details on any payments). Or maybe the business owners hope the exposure on national television will help elevate sales. If companies are in bad enough shape, I can see why they’d be willing to try anything.

But I’m not sure what Fox’s motivation is. The show makes the network look callous and, without being an expert in television programming, I’m hard pressed to identify what the intended audience is for a show that reminds viewers we’re in a recession and times are pretty crappy.

All said, it’s not that big of a deal. But I thought it worth a mention. I’m sure the marketplace will quickly determine whether or not Fox has made a mistake with this show.

So…here’s the entire interview from last night.

More later…

Thoughts?

So will you all be watching Barack Obama’s first Presidential address infomercial slated to hit all the major networks except ABC tonight? I suppose when you have as much money as the Obama campaign, a little 30 minute long, primetime ad is a pretty good way to saturate the market with your brand message.

My question is: how many people are really undecided? (Hey, don’t look at me, I’ll be posting some words about my own decision soon). And if you are undecided, is an infomercial really where you’re going to turn for unbiased, even-handed recommendations? I mean, when I’m putting together an effective workout regimen, I generally don’t turn to Ab Blaster commercials for suggestions.

I’m sure Obama will come off smooth, smart and Presidential. But unless he concedes that Bill Ayers has been staying in his guest room and secretly writing his speeches for the last two years, I can’t imagine anything Obama says will affect the outcome of the election.

Still, if you’ve got the money, why not? There’s nothing good on Wednesdays anyway.

But how many of these are people who need to see it?

Find more at Telegraph.

Basically, if you’ve seen any of the CSI shows, you should get a really big kick out of this. And even if you haven’t, well, you should laugh anyway.

So good!