David Kronke was appointed Mayor of Television after a bloodless coup in 2000. Since then, he has improved infrastructure, championed greater educational opportunities and fought for reforms that have utterly erased corruption and incompetence from the television industry. Since Mr. Kronke has ascended to power, Television is a far better place. USA Network treats Westminster Dog Show fans like dogs treat fire hydrants
Last night on the USA Network, those tuned in to see the Westminster Dog Show were in for a rude surprise: One of my editors (and therefore, an unimpeachable source) reports that about two-thirds of the way in, in order to make room for wrestling, viewers were sent off to CNBC to watch the conclusion of the evening’s judging.
“Do they ask you to switch networks in the sixth inning of a baseball game?” she asks. “Do they ask you to switch networks after 30 minutes of ‘Lost’? … I didn't like it and neither did my dog.”
Indeed, that’s fairly insulting; going from watching Chinese Cresteds elegantly strutting their showmanship élan to steroidal behemoths smashing chairs over one another’s heads can make for a jarring viewing experience. USA did it backwards – during the NBA playoffs, when one game runs long and another is starting, viewers who want to watch the one just beginning are advised to switch to sister stations, from ESPN to ESPN2 or from TNT to TBS. But USA apparently figured that Dog Show fans had a better chance of knowing how to find CNBC than wrestling fans.
As for moving "Lost" to another network halfway through the show – don't give ABC any ideas; "Lost" is confusing enough as it is.