Commentary

Looking For TV's 'Sex And the City' -- For Men

Media research tells us prime-time and daytime TV is a medium dominated by middle-aged women. Similar research has determined theatrical movies are mostly driven by young males.

And then something comes along to upset this formula. This past weekend the movie "Sex And the City" debuted with an eye-opening, blockbuster-like $55.2 million in business.

Now this movie -- from the HBO series of the same name, the quintessential women's TV series  -- will no doubt give new meaning to the film business term, "chick-flick." Movies catering to middle-aged females are typically nice little revenue generators -- but they are not fodder for big box-office potential.

"Sex" isn't exactly in the realm of the "Spider-Man"s and the "Iron Man"s -- movies that can book $100 million plus in any given weekend. Still, it is all the more remarkable that "Sex" knocked out "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" from the No. 1 spot - a movie that is pretty much geared to mostly younger males.

Blame it on TV. Michael Patrick King, executive producer of the TV show and director of the film, was convinced "Sex" could work on the big screen after observing the good ratings the show --sans-R-rated HBO material - garnered from its current run on TBS.

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"Sex" now becomes the best opening ever for a live-action adaptation of a TV series.  The previous record-holder was that young male-skewed film, "Mission Impossible," which took in roughly $45 million. Research suggests 80% of "Sex" movie-goers were female, and that many brought along their female friends.


All of which means the other part of the media equation needs revamping - the one that has to do with TV and women.  There needs to be a big hit prime-time show luring mega amounts of male viewers.


We are not talking an NBA, NFL, or World Series game. We are talking about a scripted show.


The problem may be that, overall, young males generally aren't all that interested in character development -- at least on the small screen. No matter. Someone needs to figure this out. With all that, I'm waiting for a TV version of "Sex in the City" for men.


Maybe it could be "Punching in the City," a scripted series about ultimate or mixed martial arts fighting. Or, choose your own version: "Fantasy Sports Leagues in the City," "Drinking in the City," or the more techie, "Grand Theft Auto in the City."


No doubt young men are watching TV in prime time. It's just that their TV inputs are on a different setting -- plugged in Wiis or Playstation 3s.

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