Are TV "bugs" Bugging You?

When they first appeared on air they served one purpose - to remind viewers what station they were watching. Television ID's, or "bugs," now display the time, promote upcoming shows, and sometimes use animation to grab your attention.

CNN was the first station to use a bug, mainly to prevent other news organizations from using their video footage, but companies have used the public's insatiable need for information to their advantage when creating these annoyances, which sometimes make a mockery of the "rule of thirds" on your screen. If you recall USA's month-long promotion of the Monk series finale, you know to what I'm referring.

So, do these ID's serve a viable purpose, or do you think networks and cable outlets have gone too far?

USA Network Makes Mark

If you are a USA Network fan like I am, listen up - BIG changes for the 2010 season. The cable station's staple shows will now be spread out across the week instead of stacked on specific nights. 2009's breakthrough show White Collar will air Tuesdays, with Psych airing Wednesdays and Burn Notice on Thursdays - each show in the 10pm time slot. Fridays won't seem the same with the series finale of Monk airing a few weeks ago.

This concept defies the "Must See Thursdays" pitch NBC began with the 1984-85 season, and may be an attack on NBC itself, which has seen viewers shy away from The Jay Leno Show in the same time period. Kudos to USA for trying to gain viewership on multiple nights with stellar shows.