Gimmicky Interactivity

I am an avid television watcher. This is probably what led me to my choice of major(Telecom). Throughout my many years of channel surfing I have always noticed elements of "interactivity" in certain shows. I place interactivity in quotations because I feel TV has yet to accomplish anything close to full interactivity. Anytime a network does try to add a bit of audience participation it always comes off as (because it is) gimmicky. The Price is Right, for example, was an early attempt at audience interactivity. By allowing random audience members to be chosen as contestants, and then actually become part of the show gave both the studio and viewing audience a false sense that they are, in fact, the show.

Fast forward to, oh I don't know, let's say.....2 months ago. During some airings of the MTV "reality" show The Hills I noticed that they had comments from the viewing audience display across the screen. Again, false interactivity. Gimmicky at best.

It was not until last night, did I see a show that truly came close to being an interactive show. The show I speak of is Fanarchy. Despite a host who poses questions, the entire show is created by fans of sports. I am not one for sports talk, and this is still somewhat gimmicky, but the fact that 90% of the show's content is created by the audience, it is the first time a show has used the audience as talent for the show.

I know this is getting long, so let me sum up. Television needs an update to its format, interactivity is the way to go. It has always been goal of mine to create a show that the audience truly felt like they were a part of. The easy part is out of the way, now the hard part is actually thinking of a non gimmicky way of doing this.