Television killed curling

by Brian McKim & Traci Skene on February 24th, 2010

Or was that comedy that it killed?

We always confuse comedy and curling.

But seriously, folks: Have you caught curling fever? USA Network (part of the NBCUniversal family of outlets) has been devoting hours to both men’s and women’s curling. And there are reportedly dozens of curling clubs and venues popping up all over the U.S. At previous Olympics, early rounds are usually sparsely attended, with crowds swelling only in the “medal rounds,” but this year, a 5,000-seat venue has been sold out from the very first stone!

So why is it hot now?

Because it’s on TV. Millions were exposed to curling when NBC covered it at the Torino games four years ago. It’s been getting gobs and gobs of television time this year. Folks just can’t get enough.

Television has that effect.

Expose something via television and (with few exceptions), it will mushroom in popularity.

When we observe this phenomenon, we’re reminded of the meme that “television killed comedy.” Who started that anyway? And why? And why were so many comics eager to perpetuate the premise.

Was it club owners, seeking to find a reason for the failure of their venues? Whenever folks deal with failure, they tend to find a scapegoat.

Concepts like “TV killed comedy” become accepted wisdom and then seep deeper into the culture and become inviolable. To this day, we hear comedians, agents, club owners and others utter the phrase (or a variation) in interviews.

The media loves stuff like that. It makes for great copy. And, since they’re merely entertainment or features writers, they aren’t really obligated (or inclined) to actually investigate the claim and either verify it or debunk it. So the idea carries on.

And, as a result, there hasn’t been much comedy on television these days. Oh, sure, there’s Comedy Central churning out half-hours and specials. But that’s cable. And they skew younger. There’s the occasional comedian on a late night show here and there, but those spots are fewer compared to 20 years ago. And primetime network television? Forget about it.

There’s a market out there. And there’s no shortage of mature, experienced, competent comedians out there. Where are all the standup shows or specials? Some brave soul has to buck the conventional wisdom and champion comedy again.

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