TV... or Not TV? That Is the Question.

Holy cow. Looks like David Lidsky, Alison Overholt, and Michael Prospero have their next journalism jobs in the works -- TV critics. While I've been enjoying their entries on various networks, the dubious lineage of spinoffs and brand extensions, and time slot competition, I wonder whether there are deeper questions -- and business challenges -- afoot.

How can large entertainment companies ostensibly staffed by very bright people make such stupid decisions with programming? Is it a back-end problem -- how the networks work? Or a front-end problem -- what TV viewers will watch? What's going on? If it's a back-end problem, additional questions arise. Are these shows the result of a failure in leadership? Creativity? Management by committee? Solely playing to the research?

I'm curious what my coworkers -- and FC Now readers -- think. How could networks improve their creative process?