Mental Engineering

Mental Engineering is a PBS television series where host John Forde leads a panel discussion featuring critical—and humorous—analysis of TV commercials. The show originated as a public access program on the Saint Paul Neighborhood Network in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1997. It is considered by its host to be the first cable access show to be aired nationally, as one episode following Super Bowl XXXVI in 2002 aired on PBS 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 two other guests from Minnesota, but is considered to have been one of the poorer-quality episodes made over the show's run. A third season is set to air in summer 2005.

Related Topics:
PBS - Television series - John Forde - Critic - Humor - TV commercial - Public access - Saint Paul Neighborhood Network - St. Paul, Minnesota - 1997 - Episode - Super Bowl XXXVI - 2002 - United States - Aisha Tyler - Lizz Winstead - Minnesota - 2005

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Funding was a major issue for the program, as Forde did not want to solicit or accept donations from corporations. He did obtain some assistance from Lutheran Brotherhood, a non-profit life insurance company, along with production help from Twin Cities Public Television (TPT). Forde essentially gave the show away for free, paying TPT a US$120 uplink fee to distribute each program through PBS's satellite network. By September 2001, the program was airing on stations covering 41% of the U.S., and was most importantly carried by notable PBS outlets WGBH in Boston and WNET in New York City. The show received rave reviews from The New York Times and other influential news outlets, even prompting a congratulatory letter from Bill Moyers.

Related Topics:
Corporation - Lutheran Brotherhood - Non-profit - Life insurance - Twin Cities Public Television - US$ - Satellite - September 2001 - WGBH - Boston - WNET - New York City - The New York Times - Bill Moyers

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At nearly every step along the way, the show has been considered a "no-budget" program, though the Super Bowl appearance did warrant a nicer set. The two local guests for the "Super Commercials" episode were Leola Johnson and Chris Vigliaturo, who were series regulars. Lizz Winstead actually appeared in multiple episodes of the show, as did area comedian Jeff Cesario, who has made other national appearances.

Related Topics:
Set - Leola Johnson - Chris Vigliaturo - Jeff Cesario

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Two somewhat similar shows aired on public TV stations back in the 1960s, the Ford Foundation-sponsored programs Public Broadcast Laboratory and Your Dollar's Worth.

Related Topics:
1960s - Ford Foundation - Public Broadcast Laboratory - Your Dollar's Worth

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