Debating Game covered as news by ABC Radio

[Matt Ottinger]

On my way into my office this morning, I was listening to ABC radio news at the top of the hour.  Their kicker story was a *lengthy* package about GSN's Debating Game, which apparently taped last night while the major candidates were having an only slightly more dignified \"real\" debate.

They included three sound bites:  Kennedy's introduction, Gary Coleman introducing himself and Mary Carey answering a question (\"What California city has the zip code 90210?\").  They also had Mary answering a reporter's question about why she'd be a good governor (something about teenage boys and jumping up and down).

Say what you want (and heaven knows some of you have) but this stunt is reaping huge rewards for GSN in terms of the free publicity it's generating for the network, and that can ONLY be a good thing.

[cmjb13]

[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' date=\'Sep 25 2003, 11:49 AM\'] Say what you want (and heaven knows some of you have) but this stunt is reaping huge rewards for GSN in terms of the free publicity it's generating for the network, and that can ONLY be a good thing. [/quote]
It can, but if people sample GSN due to this and don't like what they see and tune out, there is nothing gained.

Free publicity means squat if it doesn't bring in viewers (which should be the point of publicity) or money (which are driven by viewers and ratings)

That's my 2 cents.

Interesting to see if this publicity has any impact on upcoming ratings.

[goongas]

Would the winner of the money be able to keep it and not spend it on their campaign under California law?

Eric

[Jimmy Owen]

Next project for Mary: \"The Baiting Game.\"

[clemon79]

[quote name=\'cmjb13\' date=\'Sep 25 2003, 09:09 AM\'] Free publicity means squat if it doesn't bring in viewers (which should be the point of publicity) or money (which are driven by viewers and ratings)
 [/quote]
 You're right, but it's almost certain to get some people who have never heard of GSN to tune in just to see what all of the hubbub is about, and a potential viewer is ALWAYS better than one who doesn't even know the network exists as a viewing option...

[uncamark]

[quote name=\'goongas\' date=\'Sep 25 2003, 12:12 PM\']Would the winner of the money be able to keep it and not spend it on their campaign under California law?[/quote]
Most likely, GSN would make the check out to whatever is the candidate's authorized campaign organization and not necessarily to the candidate directly (and Gary Coleman's refused all monies, or so I've heard).  What that organization (or the candidate personally, if they're going to make the check out to him/her directly) does with the money after they receive it isn't under GSN's control.

[clemon79]

[quote name=\'Jimmy Owen\' date=\'Sep 25 2003, 10:24 AM\'] Next project for Mary: "The Baiting Game." [/quote]
 Are you sure that's not \"The 'Bateing Game\"?

She'd be a master at it, for sure.

[PeterMarshallFan]

[quote name=\'clemon79\' date=\'Sep 25 2003, 06:02 PM\'] [quote name=\'Jimmy Owen\' date=\'Sep 25 2003, 10:24 AM\'] Next project for Mary: "The Baiting Game." [/quote]
Are you sure that's not "The 'Bateing Game"?

She'd be a master at it, for sure. [/quote]
 Don't give 'em ideas, Chris...... :-)

[Matt Ottinger]

It gets better....

On the Thursday edition of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, they had a feature comparing the \"real\" debate with GSN's version.  Funny stuff.  (\"Your debate didn't have a smoke machine, Jon?  Was it broken?\")

[BrandonFG]

[quote name=\'clemon79\' date=\'Sep 25 2003, 05:02 PM\'] [quote name=\'Jimmy Owen\' date=\'Sep 25 2003, 10:24 AM\'] Next project for Mary: "The Baiting Game." [/quote]
Are you sure that's not "The 'Bateing Game"?

She'd be a master at it, for sure. [/quote]
 Oh, that was a good one. Give yourself a hand.

[trainman]

I was in the audience for the taping Wednesday night.  It's a harmless hour-long piece of fairly amusing fluff.  I definitely don't think it's going to cause the demise of GSN.

Actually, the taping took over three hours, so I'm very interested to see what the edited version is going to look like.