A letter from LR Daughter to Fox regarding ‘American Idol’
Steve Safran March 21st, 2007
The following is the text of a letter my daughter has handwritten to Fox. She is “very annoyed” (her words) that the network runs the fairly gruesome “Bones” at 8 p.m. and not the American Idol results show, which is on at 9. (Idol is on at 8 on Tuesdays.) LR Daughter is sending this letter to Fox, and has given me permission to reprint it here, in full.
AN OPEN LETTER TO FOX
BY LR DAUGHTER, AGE 10 1/2
LOST REMOTE
March 21st, 2007
Dear Fox,
As you know, the American Idol result show is on Wednesday nights from 9:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. This is a family show, and most kids my age watch it. We have an early bed time, especially this time of year when we have MCAS testing. (Ed. Note: that’s the Massachusetts state standardized testing.) We all want to watch the result show, it’s our favorite. But, there is a small problem.
You have Bones on from 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Wednesdays. I have to go to bed at 8:30 p.m., and so do my friends, especially with the testing. Since we can’t watch this live, we have to record it. You lose ratings and we fast-forward through the commercials. You get paid money for these commercials and they are on very often. If we fast-forward, we don’t watch them.
Sometimes we don’t even record it, we can just find out who won the next morning on the internet. Then we aren’t seeing the commercials altogether.
I know no kids who watch Bones.
Could you please put American Idol on Wednesdays at 8:00 p.m. instead of 9:00? Adults who watch Bones can always stay up later than the kids who watch American Idol. Could you please switch the times of Bones and American Idol on Wednesdays? We would really appreciate it!
Sincerely, 5th Grade American Idol Fans.
(Note: I had absolutely no hand in this at all, I swear. Her Mom did help with some of the language, but it was her idea, and she presented me with the letter which I asked if I could reprint. But I am more than a little proud to see my little girl try to hit the network where they live - right in the “we’ll fast-forward through your ads and get the results online instead” wallet. They grow up so fast!)
21 Comments Add your own
1. ko | March 21st, 2007 at 7:46 pm
Well said! And, you hit us where it hurts most–the pocket book (does a 10.5 year old know what a pocket book is or is that a dated reference?). One little issue, as I read your note to my PAIR of ten year olds–they love Bones! Maybe that says something about my parenting for letting them watch it…A well written and thoughtful letter to Rupert though…Would love to hear your thoughts on Sanjaya (sp?) next… My ten year olds are split on their opinions…Keep writing–you’re good!
2. Mike | March 21st, 2007 at 8:24 pm
I love it.
I agree with her.
Why change the times for the two dates?
I don’t know ANYONE that watches “BONES.”
3. Sam | March 21st, 2007 at 8:29 pm
Okay I understand the predicament here. Before I start arguing some of the points made. The letter is impressive, thinking about where it hurts advertisers and ratings most. Brilliant. Though the bigger picture wasn’t there. She supported her statement well. Truly impressive letter for someone so young.
now to the not so happy part,
There are several reasons why Bones is on at 8. One is that it provides the show with the biggest boost in ratings, in the ‘pre tune-in factor’. If it were at 9, its lead out is that Comedy Til’ Death rather than AI. Bones is critical to the fall lineup where Fox has constantly failed. They need desperately fall shows that will bring them ratings.
Also I think you have failed to see how the ratings system actually works. Nielsen families report what they watch and are the only ones used in the ratings, they represent the greater number in statistics. Its very complicated and it means that individual viewers don’t matter, at all. Unless you have one of those boxes. Its a shame the system is this way but that how it goes.
I’m also sorry to say that 10 years old fail to make it to the all important ad-friendly demo. This is age group that advertisers care about, 18-49.
I know plenty of kids who watch Bones. But my issue with Bones being at 8, is its far too gruesome for that time slot. NOT a family show, AI on the other hand is so it should be in at 8 where it is a family time slot. But its a underrated show, that deserves far better treatment than what Fox has been giving it.
4. Curtis | March 21st, 2007 at 8:52 pm
Nice note, LR daughter. Although my early bedtime is self-imposed, and due to standardized days of interning and not standardized testing, I too would like more thoughtful decisions by networks, particularly when show cancellations are involved.
As for Sam, I guess it was good of you to illustrate how debate can arise from a well written letter.
But, sheesh, you didn’t hold back. When I was 8, I wrote letters to foreign governments asking for coins for my collection. I’m glad they obliged and didn’t instead try to teach me about exchange rates and foreign markets.
In the end, though, well thought out.
5. invitedmedia | March 22nd, 2007 at 5:15 am
yup, dad should be proud. he has a young activist on his hands.
6. Alyssa | March 22nd, 2007 at 6:54 am
Very well put. Smart kid.
7. JIB | March 22nd, 2007 at 7:34 am
Steven is your daugther advocating for family hour on TV? You know, there are some out there that argue the FCC should mandate kid friendly programming during the 8pm hour. I think we have the makings of a future FCC chairwoman (and perhaps, you should submit her letter to the FCC under the Media Consolidation proceeding).
Start saving for law school Daddy Safran…
8. Jay | March 22nd, 2007 at 7:55 am
A 10-yesr-old understand the economics of television, and the cost of skipping commercials? Ratings?
9. Everett W. | March 22nd, 2007 at 8:09 am
I suppose the problem I would have is not “Bones” airing in an 8 p.m. slot but that the suitability levels of “Bones” and AI are just not compatible to air together.
There was a Tuesday not too long ago when ABC aired an “America’s Funniest Home Videos” rerun followed by a “PrimeTime” special about let’s just say a ”different’ line of video work. (My words are measured here due to the audience of some readers of this thread.)
Maybe the adults-only shows should be left grouped together on some nights while more family-friendly shows (excepting the 10 p.m. ET/PT slot) can be grouped together on other nights.
10. Steve Safran | March 22nd, 2007 at 9:42 am
I’m surprised nobody’s noted that this is our continuing commitment to the new LR niche: Are We Smarter Than Fifth Graders?
JIB: It would be the ultimate act of teenage rebellion for my daughter to threaten to join the FCC. If there would be one thing she could do to make me kick her out of the house… oooh… I swear….
Sam: Congrats. You’re Smarter Than a Fifth Grader.
Jay: She absolutely understands. Part of that, no doubt, is from growing up in a house hearing Daddy rant and rave every day about ratings and networks and explaining the ins and outs of TiVo nation. But don’t underestimate this generation’s media savvy.
When she gets home from school, she’s going to find it very funny that grownups actually debated her…
11. Steve | March 22nd, 2007 at 10:17 am
Nice letter, but can your daughter 1) Name any of the commercials aired in AI, and 2) Ask herself if any of them realistically apply to her demographic?
BTW, I’ve never watched a single episode of AI ever so I don’t know what kinds of advertisers it attracts.
12. Rob | March 22nd, 2007 at 10:20 am
When I was in fifth grade I was discovering the wonders of Pong, Dungeons and Dragons and the Rockford Files and the only Bones I’d heard of was Doctor Leonard McCoy.
Now fifth graders are budding community activists who use the power of the Internet to take on big corporations?
LR Daughter can’t buy a beer until she’s 21, she can’t decide who will be president until she’s 18, but she can be part of a grassroots campaign to take on a billion-dollar industry, rallying her friends to collectively vote on when TV programming airs with e-mail, her remote control and a DVR.
Man have times changed.
13. Steve Safran | March 22nd, 2007 at 11:00 am
Steve: I’ll defend the Fifth Grade Girl demographic on this one as yes, this will start to get slightly past her pay grade, not to mention her actual grade.
A) She has a cellphone. Her parents wanted it once she entered middle school because we’re the new “Safety Parent” demo.
B) Kids with cellphones buy ringtones
C) They also bug their parents to get things like HBO Video addons
D) Kids download the 99 cent songs and $2.98 song/video packages from the show.
E) She gets her *parents* to watch the show with her. We buy things. We watched something else instead.
(This is the McDonald’s “Happy Meal” concept: sell the kids’ stuff cheap, so the parents will buy the full priced stuff.)
F) If you think 10-year-olds aren’t a desireable demo, you haven’t seen one who really, really, really wants to buy something save $50 or $100.
G) Hell, I can’t remember the ads from shows either.
Stop thinking about the old ways of advertising and think about the new ways advertisers hit the *whole* audience.
And for crying out loud, *encourage* kids to speak up!There’s a bit too much pragmatism here… Kids have the rest of their lives to learn about corporate heartlessness…
14. Sam | March 22nd, 2007 at 8:06 pm
I think a healthy debate about a topic arisen from a well written letter is well… healthy. No one here said anything about silencing her, and not allowing her to express her opinions. All in fact commended her on her fine well thought out letter. I was just bring a point to the readers here and not directly to her. Just wanted to make talk. I actually hope she doesn’t read this, I wouldn’t want her to get the impression that her arguments were not well thought out enough. Which they were for the limited knowledge she knows about the evil!Business.
Also are you really comparing the buying power of a 10 year old compared to an adult? Yes they can enormous influence, and there is a market directly aimed at that age group. But looking at the companies that advertise with American Idol, its clear that the Main age group targeted is not 10 year olds. Compared to cartoons on Sat. which are directly aim to them, well the newest toys, and the ‘hottest thing’.
That age group is very desirable but only certain companies.
Don’t worry about not remembering ads, it has alot to do with the subconscious. You know you want that car.
Advertising is a funny business.
Well watching the show, won’t impact the ratings but buying a show will. Since the money/stats go to the production company.
It has saved quite a few shows, like Family Guy.
15. Matt Caruso | March 23rd, 2007 at 9:45 am
Yeah, not to mention they have to put House on hiatis and keep bones going, what’s up with that?
16. discreet_chaos | March 24th, 2007 at 5:36 pm
I’ve been kind of scarce lately and I realize this thread is a couple days old, but it reminds me of when Tim Burton’s “Charlie & the Chocolate Factory” came out — My local theater ran “Charlie” as the 9:30 show and they had something Bruce Willisy at seven.
Ordinarily, they only play a movie for a week because by that time, everyone has seen it. After taking my kid to the late show, I sent an email to their parent company to suggest that they keep it for another week and play it at the earlier time. And offhand, I can’t remeber the exact reasoning, but the fellow replied that they were going to hold the picture over and run it as the first movie, but for reasons similar to those cited by Sam, they had to run the action-adventure as the 7 o’clock show.
Of course, “Charlie” was also the weekend matinee and they did hold the film over, which I know did some good because we went back to the theater with some of my daughter’s friends who couldn’t do the late show. But, it also goes to show that legalese, corporate mumbo-jumbo doesn’t always make sense in the real world. After all, both “American Idol” and “Charlie & the Chocolate Factory” should be the early show.
17. discreet_chaos | March 24th, 2007 at 5:42 pm
…and I’ve never watched “Bones”. I do occasionally leave the TV on “American Idol” and I’ve watched a couple of episodes of “House”, but I’ve never seen “Bones” and other than a brief comment when the commercial runs, I’m pretty sure it has never come up in conversation. (It’s about a sexy forensic archeologist - right?)
18. Fox Network Honcho | March 25th, 2007 at 5:39 pm
Dear Little Girl:
Don’t you understand? We’re highly paid professional network programmers. We are - and always will be - smarter than everyone else.
In the meantime, we encourage you to check out some of our other quality programming, such as The War At Home, Nanny 911, and one we think you’ll particularly enjoy, Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? Some of those questions are wicked hard!!!
Warmest regards,
Network Honchos
19. Debi57 | April 9th, 2007 at 7:29 am
Has anyone else had their username deactivated involuntarily? I’ve had comments dissappear & all of a sudden I’ve been deactivated. It looks as though they are trying to get rid of any negative comment about Sanjaya, no matter how constructive. I’ve even tried starting a new profile with another e-mail address, it isn’t working. I’ve complained to Fox about it. Is it possible that this whole competition has been rigged or at least manipulated to go in his favor. How can there be THAT many fanatical people in America? The vote must be fixed or someone is hacking in & changing it.
20. Debi57 | April 9th, 2007 at 7:30 am
I’m referring to the American Idol message boards.
21. Sathish Kumar | November 1st, 2007 at 4:09 am
I like very much for your thoughts regarding writing the letter
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