# Primetime Obama **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 29, 2008, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/primetime-obama/470067 "2008-10-29T12:38:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/primetime-obama/470067/21 "2008-10-29T17:09:33Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#): > > ShamWow? I googled and got a chamois cloth made in Germany… Oh, sorry. I just thought of the first ubiquitous commercial that is played over and over and over and over… Not that Obama is as annoying as the ShamWowDude (or Billy Maise), just that at some point overexposure can work against him. I think he and his staff must have done some sort of metric in which they compared and considered a few different numbers: How many people are: going to be turned off by having their shows interrupted? going to end up with a negative(ish) impression of Obama because they can’t escape the election? going to be turned off by the apparent megalomania of him appearing on _prime time_? going to actually tune in and change their minds? going to tune in, and though they are already going to voter for him, will help convince others to as well? etc. Some fo the negative groups may or may not be small, but given how well the campaign has run so far, I can’t imagine that the balancing wasn’t considered. I hope they got the numbers right. ---
**Author:** ![tds1273](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/df705f/32.png) [@tds1273](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tds1273)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/primetime-obama/470067/22 "2008-10-29T17:14:20Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Note that Obama is going to be on The Daily Show tonight. He will also be on The Rachel Maddow Show tomorrow. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/primetime-obama/470067/23 "2008-10-29T17:23:01Z")
I don’t think it could hurt, unless it’s too unapologetically self-congratulatory. But footage of him mixing with ordinary Americans interspersed with simply charts and graphs showing why his tax policies will benefit most working Americans will certainly get some points across better than the soundbytes and stump speech rhetoric that comprises most of his news coverage currently. There are still a lot of Undecideds out there and if he can swing only 1/2 of 1% of them, that’s still millions of converts. It won’t be The Best Half Hour of TV Ever! But he’s proven that extended exposure to him is the best way to diffuse the criticism and allay the fears. More power to him (though I, too, will be watching _PD_ tonight). ---
**Author:** ![lee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lee/32/7455_2.png) [@lee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lee)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/primetime-obama/470067/24 "2008-10-29T17:40:47Z")
Sure it could hurt, but I think that he wants to reach as many as he can. I think he wants to lead all of America, and this is one way to reach as many as he can, not just to get the most electoral votes, but to show people where he wants to lead America and how he plans to get there. ---
**Author:** ![MacTech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MacTech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacTech)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/primetime-obama/470067/25 "2008-10-29T17:50:23Z")
[Weebl and Bob appear to be impressed…](http://www.weebls-stuff.com/wab/Rally/) Maybe he’ll talk some more about pie? ---
**Author:** ![CaerieD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@CaerieD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaerieD)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/primetime-obama/470067/26 "2008-10-29T18:00:07Z")
Anyone know if this’ll be available to watch online tonight? Those of us without TV are curious. ---
**Author:** ![mobo85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mobo85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mobo85)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/primetime-obama/470067/27 "2008-10-29T18:08:48Z")
Even if Obama’s campaign is paying for this as advertising, does this still count under equal-time laws? If so, would McCain have to have 90 minutes (as it’s on three networks) or just 30 (since it’s the same content on three networks)? ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/primetime-obama/470067/28 "2008-10-29T18:15:22Z")
> [@mobo85](#): > > Even if Obama’s campaign is paying for this as advertising, does this still count under equal-time laws? If so, would McCain have to have 90 minutes (as it’s on three networks) or just 30 (since it’s the same content on three networks)? I wasn’t aware that there still WERE equal-time laws. I thought that’s what the Republicans are so afraid of…that a Democratic Congress and president together would re-institute the Fairness Doctrine. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/primetime-obama/470067/29 "2008-10-29T18:16:07Z")
> [@mobo85](#): > > Even if Obama’s campaign is paying for this as advertising, does this still count under equal-time laws? If so, would McCain have to have 90 minutes (as it’s on three networks) or just 30 (since it’s the same content on three networks)? From what I read back when this story came out a few weeks ago, any networks selling time to Obama must give the same offer (time slot & price) to the McCain campaign if the McCain campaign wants it. I assume that either they didn’t want it or they can’t afford the million bucks per network. ---
**Author:** ![xanthous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/53a042/32.png) [@xanthous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xanthous)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/primetime-obama/470067/30 "2008-10-29T20:49:01Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > It’s supposed to start at 8PM EDT. (We’re still in Daylight Savings Time until Sunday morning) I thought it was on at 8:30…? I may be incorrect. I’m on the left coast so I’ve got it TiVoed, whatever time it’s on. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/primetime-obama/470067/31 "2008-10-29T20:50:54Z")
> [@xanthous](#): > > I thought it was on at 8:30…? I may be incorrect. I’m on the left coast so I’ve got it TiVoed, whatever time it’s on. My understanding is that it’s 8:00 to 8:30. They were talking about the World Series on Fox and they were noting that the game doesn’t usually actually start until 8:23 or 8:25. The only thing they’re not showing because of the Obama buy is the pre-game show. ---
**Author:** ![Beadalin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Beadalin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beadalin)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/primetime-obama/470067/32 "2008-10-29T20:53:58Z")
Here’s what it’s going to be about: > [@](#): > > Obama’s proposals will be showcased through the stories of four different Americans who illustrate specific national challenges and how Obama would address them, the campaign said. > > Obama himself will speak in the video - at times with a group of voters, at others directly to the audience. The 30 minutes will end by cutting to a live appearance by Obama in Kissimmee, Fla., though the campaign said that would be a small portion of the half-hour video. > > The video features footage shot by Davis Guggenheim, the director and executive producer of former Vice President Al Gore’s Oscar-winning documentary on global warming, “An Inconvenient Truth.” Guggenheim, the son of award-winning filmmaker Charles Guggenheim, also was a producer and director on the HBO series “Deadwood.” [From here](http://apnews.excite.com/article/20081029/D944BPMOG.html). ---
**Author:** ![Jeeves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/73ab20/32.png) [@Jeeves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeeves)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/primetime-obama/470067/33 "2008-10-29T21:11:29Z")
Thanks for the update \*\* Beadalin\*\*. I think my version would get him more votes though 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/primetime-obama/470067/34 "2008-10-29T21:19:22Z")
> [@Rhythmdvl](#): > > Oh, sorry. I just thought of the first ubiquitous commercial that is played over and over and over and over… Not that Obama is as annoying as the ShamWowDude (or Billy Maise), just that at some point overexposure can work against him. Pssst…I still have no clue as to what you are talking about. But, I share your concern re him turning people off. I hope this doesn’t come off as conceited or presumptious–which is how McCain is playing it. I am also reminded of Adlai Stevenson, who thought that America would be interested in watching him speak for 30 minutes. Ike just put out a ad jingle and was voted in. America needs a wonk right now, but we don’t want to see a wonk, if you follow me. Wonks are boring, but effective and vital. I hope the 30 minutes goes by quickly. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/primetime-obama/470067/35 "2008-10-29T22:59:21Z")
> [@CaerieD](#): > > Anyone know if this’ll be available to watch online tonight? Those of us without TV are curious. Obama streams a bunch of his campaign appearances _live_ on his website, so I’d be checking there, if you weren’t going to be rushing out and buying a TV. ---
**Author:** ![Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bc8723/32.png) [@Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fish)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/primetime-obama/470067/36 "2008-10-29T23:38:11Z")
I think the 30-minute ad was a brilliant move, personally. It plays into Obama’s “make McCain play the whole map” strategy. There’s no way McCain can afford to rebut this 30-minute ad and still have cash left over to play defense in all the states where he’s behind. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2008, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/primetime-obama/470067/37 "2008-10-29T23:57:48Z")
mccain is also saying that they are delaying the world series for obama. no… the baseball game has been starting at 8:30 ish since game 1. i guess he wasn’t watching. malia obama was very concerned that dad would mess up her tv line up. she was reassured that he did not buy time on disney. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2008, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/primetime-obama/470067/38 "2008-10-30T00:02:40Z")
> [@Jeeves](#): > > Tonight Barack Obama has bought half an hour of airtime on three major networks, and I have heard nothing about it! So what is the dopers best guess on what we will see if we tune in? I have an advance copy of his speech. Here’s an excerpt: “Hope. Change. Hopey-hopey-change-change. Changey-hopey. Bush is evil. Hopey-changey-changey-hopey. Redistribute the wealth. Changey-changey-hopey-hopey. Bush is still evil.” Etc. ad nauseam. ---
**Author:** ![Terrifel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c68b51/32.png) [@Terrifel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terrifel)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2008, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/primetime-obama/470067/39 "2008-10-30T00:14:48Z")
“With Don Rickles and Cloris Leachman! Special performance by Jefferson Starship! And the Ernie Flatt Dancers!” ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2008, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/primetime-obama/470067/40 "2008-10-30T00:17:22Z")
It’s on right now on MSNBC. I think it’s pretty good, so far. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/primetime-obama/470067.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/primetime-obama/470067.md?page=3)