Why is everyone a closet ELR fan?

[transporter]

No, I don't mean a homosexual ELR fan.

ELR is a popular show as evident in the ratings, yet it doesn't come close to having the kind of cult following other shows have... why is that? It's like everyone just watches it when it's on religiously but never talks about it.

Or, as Seinfeld put it, "It's not a water cooler show". No one talks about it at work the following day at the water cooler.

Why hasn't ELR been able to permeate pop culture?

Meep meep.

[Samantha]

Well, some might say because its not "cool" or "in". But, I'd say those people were wrong. Because I know at times it was not at all cool or in to watch Friends because of the backlash from whatever but I still always talked about it with all my friends.

My guess is that it has to do with a level of devotion. People might watch ELR every week but most don't have a real level of investment in the show. Plus, on ELR nothing "BIG" ever really happens no big kisses, or hook ups, no secrets, nothing outrageous, so its less likely to get you excited enough to talk about it the next day. Now that is the way the show is supposed to be and it works, its funny and people watch it. They just aren't water cooling it.

That is my theory.

Thank you GOOD NIGHT!

[davej]

Sure. All theories are relevant. Mine is that the show strikes a chord with many people who don't want to talk about it.

Lots of us have family members like the Barones that we can relate to, but don't want to admit. LOL

Some people resent the show because of political correctness.

Some people like the show and watch it and laugh but don' want to admit they do because as to how they feel they might be perceived by their group.

All kinds of possibilites.

[transporter]

I think it might be a combination of all the things mentioned above.

I also think the big chunk of ELR fans has a higher age average than something like Friends or Seinfeld. Which isn't to say 15, 18, or 21 year olds don't watch it but I imagine if you polled all the viewers the average age would be approximately 26 or 28.

[davej]

See now I would think much older. It is a show about baby boomers and older. I think that is the audience for the most part. And we do not talk much about what we watch on TV unless it is new or documentary.

I fall into the same age category as Ray and Debra and I think we are the audience.

[Samantha]

I agree with you Dan the average age of an ELR fan is probably part of the reason its not talked about much. I think with Friends and Seinfeld it had older fans but the fan base had a much broader age range of fans.

[transporter]

Given what we've all discussed, do you think the ELR series finale will be a big deal? Will it get the same sort of publicity on CNN, VH1, and all the other media outlets? I'm doubtful, because there's just no way a show like ELR can generate the same sort of drama that Friends can... ie. will she wind up with Ross, etc.

I suppose the most the writers could do is a "Will Ray and Debra move out or stay?" lol. Even that doesn't really evoke much reaction out of me, or any of you guys likely.

On a side note, Drew Carey finished filming their final episode, but unfortunately its getting a rather quiet send-away over the summer.

[Maximus]

Let me say that I am an unabashedly proud ELR fan. As to why it is not much hyped and talked about, I've a more cynical theory. Anyway...

The departure of ELR next year is unlikely to generate 'Friends' like publicity. The good news is with ELR's primary competition gone from the arena, it will be the best known kid on the block next year. E Yeah! As such, it will attract substantial media coverage when its sad moment inevitably arrives. The media does need to talk about something to fill up the pages and time slots, right? For obvious reasons, I'm sure CBS and Viacom will make sure it gets plenty of publicity which I'm all for! Judging by Friends' performance this week, I predict roughly 40 m viewers will tune in for ELR series finale which is about double the number of viewers it normally attracts.

I am Yupi and I approved this message.

[transporter]

>> I am Yupi and I approve this message.

Hhahahahahahah... yea i hate those stupid commercials. "I'm George Dubya Bush, and I approved this message". ;D

I think the 'moving away' story is the only one they can do. I mean, they've already done the Debra vs. Marie family divided story, so it wouldn't work to do that again.

[Laur70]

I would say the average ELR viewer is an adult in their late 30s-early 40s-a lot of people around those ages can relate to Ray/Debra and Robert/Amy, and how they deal with Frank/Marie, Lois/Warren, Hank/Pat.

While some of us loyal fans are much younger and would like ELR to get a big send off with lots of publicity, I think the target age of the show doesn't really care about hearing what happened at the wrap party, what the final scenes are before the show airs, and what the ELR cast plans to do next, all the things that all those entertainment shows would air.

I think CBS will have ads galore, and there will be an article in a few of the bigger magazines.

As far as the actual show goes, there isn't really any continuing plot, so there is no question of "What's going to happen in the series finale?". It's more of, "How hard will I laugh?"

[davej]

Maybe the Finale will be a moving away story. That would certainly make sense.

As to who will move, that could be the story. Maybe Ray and Debra will move as that is what we all think. But maybe it will be Frank and Marie!

Maybe Frank and Marie move to Florida! There are more possiblities than we think.

And yes, I think CBS will try to give it the same kind of sendoff that Friends got. And I think it will draw a big audience. Cause peole will watch a finale that maybe don't watch other times. I am sure that some of the 50M that watched the finale of Friends were not regular viewers or fans of the show.

I am sure ELR will generate the same kind of interest