I've always been bemused by the view that "people don't want to interact with their TV. All they want to do is sit back and watch." It seems to overlook the fact that we already interact with TV content in ways ranging from using our remotes for navigating the program guide, managing our DVRs and selecting from the VOD options available, through sitting on the edge of our seats and shouting at sports events (NFL play-offs anyone?), answering questions aloud during game shows and making phone votes for contestants in talent shows ("American Idol," etc.).It's also a view that wholly overlooks ample evidence from overseas that people are willing to engage in a more multi-faceted relationship with their TV (and face it, folks, people who watch TV are pretty much alike throughout the developed markets -- hence the international success of so many programs and formats). It's a view, then, that in my opinion amounts to little more than a failure of imagination. Don't get me wrong, however. Although I believe that interactivity is undoubtedly coming to a TV near you, I don't believe that all viewers will interact with all content all of the time (even though in time they may like the option to do so). So it was interesting to see a release yesterday on a study from Harris Interactive that looks into attitudes toward remote-control-based interactive functionality on TV. One finding that surprised me, to the point of being bizarre, was the that "72% of viewers indicated they are currently using their remote controls for simple tasks such as finding favorite programs using the on-screen TV guide, scheduling or selecting DVR recordings and for viewing content on-demand". So that's 28% who employ the power of telepathy, indentured servants or a long wooden stick? It seems an awfully large number to consign to the losing side of the battle for control of the remote on every occasion. Leaving that aside, though, the highlights were: Viewers want advanced interactive television functionality across every genre of programming and advertising: