• by Wayne Friedman , Staff Writer, January 18, 2008

In this season of the TV writers' strike, networks executives have laser focus on the only thing that matters -- and it isn't their golf game. It's convincing TV viewers that there are high-quality TV shows on the air.

A recent study by Entertainment Weekly found out that while two-thirds of viewers know about the writers' strike, few know what the whole thing means. They've heard about the WGA, but are not too sure exactly what it is.  The poll found a hefty percentage think the acronym has to do with something not TV-related: a women's golf association. Fore!

The better question is whether viewers know the difference between good and bad TV -- between high-quality acts like "House" or "Grey's Anatomy," and lame reality shows that you can drive a truckload of golf balls through.

Will TV consumers know the difference between CBS' "Two and A Half Men" and half-eaten, half-thought-out scripted TV shows like CBS' upcoming "Welcome to the Captain"? We'll know soon.

TV executives have the luxury of marketplace confusion -- for the moment.

For the last several weeks, TV executives have been marketing network TV as if nothing is going on. Now with a reported 100 assorted scripted episodes available and ready to air in the coming weeks, TV marketers don't need to level with viewers that they may be in some trouble.

TV is alive -- maybe not alive and well, but still breathing.

None of this does much for the marketing image of WGA -- though the union intimates that many U.S. workers side with its plight. What are writers doing? We don't believe all of them are biding their time dreaming up the next big TV show. Then again, maybe some are out on the golf course - public golf courses that OJ tees up.  

Green fees -- and TV shows -- can be expensive.

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