• by Wayne Friedman , Staff Writer, October 27, 2014

I’m lost this weekend. No one has sent me a link to a TV show, a piece of music, a new theatrical movie, or even some new outdoor billboard.

Without any digitally delivered recommendations, what can I do? I’ll have to go it alone and be left to my own devices. Search recommendations from my smart TV haven’t helped that much. I mean, what I can I do with “Warrior Games: The Fight Continues”?

On my own, I shrug my shoulders at seeing promos for CNN’s “Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown,” CNBC’s “Closing Bell,” KCBS’s “Queen Latifah” and “Dr. Phil,” ABC’s “Shark Tank,” CBS “Blue Bloods,” and NBC’s “Grimm.”

Isn’t there something better somewhere else? You are always left wondering what’s on the other side of the dial. So I’m left to consistent surfing, like in the old days -- when TV media buyers and advertisers really could be found pulling their hair out.

Research says recommendations from friends and family add “trust,” translating into an extra premium/value of effectiveness beyond paid advertising/media placement.

Right now there is no “premium” advantage for me via scripted programming, drama or comedy, reality, news, or TV advertiser-centric content.

Suggestions are that social media will help. Really? We are talking about a niche portion of the TV-watching public who has fuzzy impact on TV shows.

Twitter says I’m all wrong about this. Earlier this year, it offered up research that showed 85% of active Twitter users during prime time tweet about TV, and 90% who saw TV-related Tweets took action to further engage with the show -- whether to watch, search for, or share content about it.

Sorry, no dice. That wasn’t me. Nor do I recall any tweets of that nature.

An explosion of media content on traditional and digital platforms  begs for better consumer “discovery” tactics, not just friends/family recommendations or “trusted” discovery TV search engines.

Until then, one is left in a frenzied vacuum of media content bouncing around you.

Here’s a thought: What about TV critics -- those informed, high-minded industry professionals with years of cultured experience in the quality of the TV experience?

Where can I find that content? Someone suggests Facebook, Twitter, and other digital places where I’ll never be lost in TVland again.