Social progress in TV Land, Pt. II

I could tell other tales of cluelessness here, but this is a happy, sunshiny destination, this blog.

And honestly, we've spent 10 straight days hearing actors discuss the process and wax poetic about challenges and journeys. We've pressed the flesh with producers and handlers. It's been swell.

But all that many of us want to do is go home, ease into the butt grooves we've worked into our couches next to the spouses and partners we've abandoned, sip a perfectly mixed cocktail, and take in "The Daily Show."

Given the circumstances, I'm impressed that anyone can come up with questions to ask these folks. In a room filled with cranky peers, no less.

Besides, you want a limited view of the universe? Talk to a few Hollywood producers.

Here's a perfect example from the same "Threshold" panel, brought to us by executive producer David Goyer (see previous item).

Gugino

Scanning the cast, we noticed the only dame on deck is Carla Gugino, who stars as Dr. Molly Anne Caffrey. Maybe that's not so unusual, since the show is about a secret government operation enacted to thwart what looks like an alien invasion. Sounds very science fiction and, therefore, manly.

But women make up more than half of the viewing audience. If a show is going to succeed Friday nights at 9, it has to court the ladies.

With this in mind, an observant colleague asked if there was a reason that none of the supergeeks aiding Dr. Caffrey is a woman.

"There aren't any supergeeks that are women," responded Goyer. "We thought it was kind of cool, that dynamic...We kind of liked Molly walking into a room of men. And it's typically kind of more of a man's world."

Way to sell that Friday night timeslot.