Mental Engineering is considered by some sources to be the first public-access television show to air nationally. By September 2001, the program was airing on stations covering 41% of the U.S., most notably by public TV outlets WGBH in Boston and WNET in New York City.
An episode following Super Bowl XXXVI in 2002 aired on public television stations capable of reaching 85% of the population of the United States. Super Commercials: A Mental Engineering Special featured nationally-known TV personalities Aisha Tyler and Lizz Winstead along with guests from Minnesota.
By the end of 2008 140 episodes had been produced.
Reviews and recognition
The series received positive reviews from several news outlets, including the New York Times, which called it "brilliant." Bill Moyers called it "the most interesting weekly half hour of social commentary and criticism on television,"[1] and PBS host Charlie Rose interviewed Forde on the ‘Charlie Rose’ show.
Funding History
As underwriters fund public broadcasting shows and are recognized in the show credits, ARNAN.com was the show's first carded underwriter when production moved to KTCA. Early funding assistance came from the Lutheran Brotherhood, a fortune 500non-profitlife insurance company that is now part of Thrivent Financial, and from PBS. Seeking broader funding, the show suspended production for 2003-2004, and returned to public TV in 2005.
Similar concepts
Two somewhat similar television shows aired on public TV stations in the 1960s: Public Broadcast Laboratory and Your Dollar's Worth, both sponsored by the Ford Foundation.
The Gruen Transfer, a similar program deconstructing advertisements, was launched by the Australian public television network in 2008. The show is currently being marketed by Fox Look under the name "The Big Sell".
Catherine Reid Day (September 2001). One Cultural Creative's Journey through the Between. EDGE News.
Brian Lambert (November 12, 2000). Ad Nauseam: With healthy skepticism, St. Paul's Mental Engineering bites the advertising hand that feeds most of TV programming. Saint Paul Pioneer Press.
Neal St. Anthony (October 3, 2005). Neal St. Anthony: Deconstructing advertisements. Star Tribune.
mental, engineering, public, television, series, where, show, creator, host, john, forde, leads, panel, discussion, featuring, critical, humorous, analysis, commercials, show, originated, public, access, television, cable, program, saint, paul, neighborhood, n. Mental Engineering is a public television series where show creator and host John Forde leads a panel discussion featuring critical and humorous analysis of TV commercials The show originated as a public access television cable TV program on the Saint Paul Neighborhood Network in St Paul Minnesota in 1997 Contents 1 Notable guests 2 History 3 Reviews and recognition 4 Funding History 5 Similar concepts 6 See also 7 References 8 External linksNotable guests EditNationally known comedians and satirists frequently appear as panelists Past guests include Al Franken Lizz Winstead Sam Simon Greg Proops Louis C K Paula Poundstone Merrill Markoe Naomi Klein and Jeff Cesario History EditMental Engineering is considered by some sources to be the first public access television show to air nationally By September 2001 the program was airing on stations covering 41 of the U S most notably by public TV outlets WGBH in Boston and WNET in New York City An episode following Super Bowl XXXVI in 2002 aired on public television stations capable of reaching 85 of the population of the United States Super Commercials A Mental Engineering Special featured nationally known TV personalities Aisha Tyler and Lizz Winstead along with guests from Minnesota By the end of 2008 140 episodes had been produced Reviews and recognition EditThe series received positive reviews from several news outlets including the New York Times which called it brilliant Bill Moyers called it the most interesting weekly half hour of social commentary and criticism on television 1 and PBS host Charlie Rose interviewed Forde on the Charlie Rose show Funding History EditAs underwriters fund public broadcasting shows and are recognized in the show credits ARNAN com was the show s first carded underwriter when production moved to KTCA Early funding assistance came from the Lutheran Brotherhood a fortune 500 non profit life insurance company that is now part of Thrivent Financial and from PBS Seeking broader funding the show suspended production for 2003 2004 and returned to public TV in 2005 Similar concepts EditTwo somewhat similar television shows aired on public TV stations in the 1960s Public Broadcast Laboratory and Your Dollar s Worth both sponsored by the Ford Foundation The Gruen Transfer a similar program deconstructing advertisements was launched by the Australian public television network in 2008 The show is currently being marketed by Fox Look under the name The Big Sell See also EditSuper Bowl AdvertisingReferences EditStephanie Lash September 4 2000 Forde s ad literacy humor fight against consumer lust Current January 28 2002 PBS goes for Mental Engineering on Super Bowl Sunday Current Catherine Reid Day September 2001 One Cultural Creative s Journey through the Between EDGE News Brian Lambert November 12 2000 Ad Nauseam With healthy skepticism St Paul s Mental Engineering bites the advertising hand that feeds most of TV programming Saint Paul Pioneer Press Neal St Anthony October 3 2005 Neal St Anthony Deconstructing advertisements Star Tribune Mental Engineering External links EditMental Engineering Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Mental Engineering amp oldid 1114696689, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
