(In case JMS allows himself any time out of 'lockdown', as they called it at the
screenwriter's event)

JMS,

Since you seem interested in staying somewhat involved with TV, I've been
wondering what you think of the way commercials are being inserted into TV shows
these days.  I'm expecting the 'Bank Name Variety Hour' or 'Office Supply Sports
Recap' and soap operas actually selling soap again any moment now.

It's more than just the camera lingering on a strategically placed product now,
sometimes entire shows are the commercials, it seems.  "Bones"
did a show where
the entire B story was around 'Avatar', something else I caught part of recently
spent several minutes extolling the virtues of some car that can park itself and
"Eureka" has gone way overboard with 'corporate sponsership'.

Once upon a time you said that you'd happily do some product placement if they
gave you lots of money to make a better show but it's gone way beyond putting a
futuristic Pepsi can into a scene so I wondered if you've given it any thought. 
Does an EP have much say about whether or not to write that sort of thing in? 
Does the show actually get to use the money made from writing commercials into
their stories?  Does the actor get anything extra for having to become a
spokesperson?  What do you think of it all?

Thanks,
Jan


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