Surveys: A Way To Insult Things that You Dislike

Brits Bash 'Baywatch,' Hail Homer says some survey of British foreign TV program buyers. Do they? I doubt it.

Baywatch is a brand that was overmarketed into absurdity. The brand itself was somewhat absurd to begin with, so the promoters correctly figured that it would not have a good longevity. No one (including the article writers) is denying the previous success of the brand (140 countries!), the only observation is that now people are sick of it.

But that's not how the story is spun. The story is spun to say:

1. Baywatch sucks. Simpsons, Dallas, 25, and MASH rule.
2. It takes a bunch of British industry insiders to tell us stupid Americans which of our shows are good, because we surely don't know.

Why is the story spun this way? I think its a good angle because:

1. People who agree can feel very high on themselves "I'm classy, just like British Television middle-managers, because I like the Simpsons"

2. People who disagree can feel outraged "Those lilly-livered varmits! If Baywatch ain't the best rootin' toonin' darn show on TV, then I'm a polecat!"

By the way, Deputy Dawg was a Baywatch fan.