41.   All these shows have a pretense of profundity.

42.   A bleak view of human nature it most certainly is, but in a curious way the show has an almost uplifting quality.

43.   A game tied to a Hollywood movie or a TV show has an edge over the hordes of other products because of name recognition and monster marketing clout.

44.   A Broadway show no longer has one or two producer names above the title but a dozen.

45.   A live call-in debate show clearly has the potential to enlighten or simply to devolve into a shouting match.

46.   About half a day after the load-in, the show will have its first full dress rehearsal.

47.   Accordingly, though the show has moments of loud hilarity, it moves in fits and starts.

48.   Also, the show has the potential to generate some emotional tension, as Wiseman increasingly despises being a spied-upon experiment and longs to see his family.

49.   Both issues are likely to count with women swing voters, among whom polls show Baesler has an advantage.

50.   But all three veteran shows have a chance to return as midseason replacements.