For their 60th anniversary issue, TV Guide interviewed "Television Visionaries" to assess the current state of the tube. When asked what was missing from TV in 2013, CBS CEO Les Moonves strangely declared "I wish there was more investigative reporting right now."
That's an odd answer, since it's something he could clearly fix -- but CBS shows like "60 Minutes" are presently preferring the sit-down puffball Obama interview. "Modern Family" creator Steven Levitan also wants a crusading Edward R. Murrow figure to move public policy to the left:
"We need an Edward R. Murrow -- a serious newsperson with a large enough audience to truly affect public policy."
When asked "Of what are you most proud," Levitan and "Glee" creator Ryan Murphy both cited their on-air lobbying for the acceptance of homosexuality:
Murphy: "That I increased tolerance while entertaining people."
Levitan: "...I'm proud that Modern Family has reportedly helped so many gay people find peace within their families, and I'm very proud that it's a show so many families watch together."
Moonves, Levitan, and Murphy all donated to Obama or the DNC in the last cycle.
Several "visionaries" dismissed the question of "have content boundaries been pushed too far, or not enough?" Chuck Lorre, creator of "Two and a Half Men," cracked, "As the result of a childhood head trauma, boundaries mean nothing to me. I laugh at boundaries!"
Bill Lawrence, whose sitcom "Cougar Town" now airs on TBS, gave the rote Hollywood-executive answer: "I've always thought the idea of content control and standards should be in the hands of parents, not the FCC. Any child left unmonitored has access to any content."
