Hey it's Michael Scott!

Normally I don't watch TV or watch a "show" once a week. If I want to watch a certain show I turn to Netflix in order to bypass the commercials and schedules of TV. It's not that I think TV is evil, it's just hard to keep up with all the scheduled programs, show times, and episodes. It becomes very stressful for me; I feel like I HAVE to watch the episode if I miss it. Plus, if you have a series of shows that you watch, then you could easily spend an entire day just watching your shows. This is why I think TV should be used in moderation. TV is a good way to unwind and just entertain yourself without having to think, but like most things, too much can just make you lazy and boring. Who wants to be friends with the person that spends an ENTIRE day on the couch watching TV?

When we watch TV, we watch in order to relax and thus watch shows that interest us like dramas and comedies. As we watch, we become more and more absorbed into the life and the drama of the show. As this happens, we become attached to certain characters and their lives so we can be entertained without having to think or do anything, thus making the experience even more relaxing. We actually relate to these characters so well that when we see the actors somewhere we don't see Steve Carrell, we see Michael Scott. So when a show like the Emmys comes on, we flock to see whether our favorite characters or shows will win because we have developed a strong bond with those characters.

When the advertising business found out that we love TV characters, they screamed, "Jackpot!" and quickly paid several of these actors to promote certain products. This way when we see the product next to Steve Carrell, we, once again, don't see Steve Carrell, we see Michael Scott next to some product. Now, whenever we see that product we are always reminded of Michael Scott which gives that product a huge advantage over others for being bought.

Unfortunately, the Nobel Prizes are always overshadowed by the Emmys. The public rarely sees or hears of any of these scientists or understand what their work is about. It would require us to do the opposite of what we wanted to in order to watch these awards, think and learn. But most of all, since we don't see the scientists anywhere, we have little reason to watch them win; we have no sympathy with them and do not bond to them in the way that we bond to actors on TV shows. As a result, we don't care that much about what they do or what they win. It's not because our society is lazy or stupid, it's just a matter of preferring to watch your friend win an award than some other random person.