The biggest threat to the Donald Trump Show – viewer boredom
Take heart America
Many have noted that the Trump presidency is more of a
realty show than real governance. This observation is totally true. Donald
Trump did not so much leave show biz to enter politics as move his Apprentice
character to a new series, an “edgy” version of the West Wing on the GOP
network. In an age where “edgy” series featuring central characters of dubious morals
are the trend, it should be no surprise that the new show was a great success. Why
and when a great slice of the American public started treating politics as
another entertainment medium rather than a serious subject bearing on their
reality is a separate question. The point for now is that it has, but the
Donald Trump Show is no longer cutting edge.
The show has grown stale, repeating the same old hackneyed
themes: Hillary, Islamic terrorists, political correctness etc. The show has
the same weakness as all shows that rely on edginess rather than good writing
and sympathetic characters. What was once titillating and shocking is now
familiar and boring. The notoriously fickle public is ripe for moving on to
new, even more extreme offerings. Perceiving
this, producer Steve Bannon has started his own company and is drumming up a
stable of even more extreme entertainment.
Viewer boredom is evident at Trump rallies, where, after
being lead through the old familiar “lock her up” routine, fans become bored
and start changing the channel before the show is over. When asked if they
approve of the show, former fans will still say yes, but they don’t hurry home
to watch the next episode. Most importantly, they won’t turn out to vote.
Voting for a show was a novelty anyway for an audience that was interested in
passive entertainment rather than participation. Except for those who are
natural born fans (read cultists) the novelty has largely worn off.
So, unless it comes up with some new compelling themes (such
as starting a war), the show is finished. While even more extreme plot turns
are a definite danger, the show’s star and producer has shown no signs of the
creativity necessary to move the show to new themes.
Steve Bannon Productions will likely have some success with
their more radical offerings, but likely will become a niche player, like most
derivative franchises.
The parent network, GOP likely will take a big hit from the
passing of their hit show. How severe the hit will be will depend on whether
the rival DMC finally realizes that keeping the sponsors happy is only possible
if you have audience share.
Keep an eye on the development of new alternative media
sources (independents) that may start to develop original content, further
fragmenting the market.
One thing is guaranteed. The American public will continue
to find new sources of entertainment. The cultists will find new cults. As for
Americans realizing that politics is a serious business with serious real world
consequences, don’t hold your breath.
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