I can't watch food network anymore!

My new obsession with the Food Network is becoming more of a problem than a pastime now. Every time I start watching any show on that channel, I get hungry for whatever the chefs are making. Usually I don't even know what half the ingredients are, but they look delicious and after watching it never fails that I'm inspired to cook something. I think genres of television shows have this sort of advertising effect on viewers, in that they can excite you to take an interest in whatever industry the show is centered around. The kinds of shows we create can have this same impact; it is like an unexpected place to advertise or promote certain occupations or vocations. For instance, you don't have to think too hard to name some popular shows about the medical field; I can think of E.R., Grey's Anatomy, House, Scrubs, Private Practice, Nip/Tuck, and Dr. 90210-just to name a few. In addition to medicine, we as a society seem to be obsessed with law and lawyers as well; there are now about twelve different versions of Law and Order. I have to wonder whether these shows inspire people to seek those same career paths because of what they see on TV. In one sense this could be a good thing because we need things like health care professionals, but on the other hand people might also be pursuing career options because of the glamorous and heroic triumphs of the shows they see. If this turned out to be true in some sense, that people are in fact influenced by the industries they see promoted on television, then maybe we could learn to use our advertising powers for good. Who knows, eventually there could be more shows like Extreme Home Makeover, that inspire people to do things like help others?!?Dare to dream!