What's so new about new media?

Why is it so much easier to get people watching auditions on American Idol spinoff shows than it is to get them watching a Rolling Stones concert film directed by Martin Scorcese?

In the field of entertainment, that's pretty much the question of the decade. Clearly, the internet has something to do with it. Theories abound regarding the influence of information overload and/or the stupification of the general populace. Meanwhile, Rebecca Black's music video becomes the YouTube sensation of the year. Shows like The Guild are merchandising, while expensive Battlestar Galactica and Heroes webisodes struggle to find an audience.

Cinema and television are forums for presentation. Audience members are given an opportunity to watch something. Even with streaming HD available to performers and creators, that's not what the internet is about at all. At it's core, the internet is a connection tool. Presentation is part of the package, but web projects that put their focus on presentation are missing the boat entirely.

My favorite web series is a show called "...and Boris", which I used this very blog to promote some years back. On the one hand, Boris was telling a story I found personally compelling, about an over-the-hill ex-Russian spy making ends meet in LA. On the other hand, the production value was totally non-existent. That show worked on the core strength of its performers and its concept, but the production itself had gaps more than big enough to see through the illusion... and suddenly it was clear how much fun the whole thing was to produce. I didn't just fall in love with the story, I fell in love with the creators and the process. I saw the challenges the production was having, and I related. I was connected, through and through.

That's precisely what American Idol has going for it.

By way of example, suppose that Steven Spielberg had to choose between one of two web shows. One is a Jurassic Park show, starring Sam Neill and financed with enough money to ensure ample numbers of dinosaurs in every episode. The other is a show he produces with his kids or grandkids in the backyard. His youngest loves making spaceships out of cardboard boxes, and his eldest wants to learn filmmaking - so he picks up a flip cam and puts his considerable experience to work.

Mr. Spielberg, do the second show. Clearly, it's not all that promising as cinema - but watching Steven Spielberg tell a good story playing with his kids would make for AMAZING web programming.

On the internet, idiosyncrasy sells.