President Bush's primetime presidential press conference last Thursday may have played a vital role in informing and alerting the public about possible threats, but it wreaked havoc on the TV viewing habits of the American public. The latest Cultureshark poll shows that 73% of respondents disapproved of the interruption of popular shows like Friends and Survivor. 22% approved or had no reaction, and 5% of respondents were watching WWF Smackdown on UPN anyway.

Bob Rivera of Philadelphia decried the scheduling move: "I'm all in favor of the President speaking to the public, but come on? Couldn't he have waited until Friday? Nothing's on Friday!" Jeanette Holloway of Cleveland was similarly upset: "I work a late shift and got screwed when I tried to tape Survivor and missed the last 45 minutes. What about us VCR users, Mr. President? What about those of us that don't watch TV in primetime?"

Political analysts have praised the President's performance in last week's speech, but media analysts have pointed out Mr. Bush risks alienating millions of TV viewers. Andrew Comstock of The Critical Analysis of Popular Culture Institute told us, "As tuned in as people are to news these days, Survivor and Friends are two of the only shows people care about anymore. I wouldn't be surprised if Bush's approval ratings decline. Thursday night was perhaps a time not for public reassurance and information, but for finding out who the first castaway to be voted out was or how Ross reacted to finding out he was the father of Rachel's baby."

White House officials would not discuss the rationale for holding the press conference at that particular time, nor confirm rumors that thoughts of pushing it back to later in the night were also deemed problematic because of CSI and ER.

In fairness to the President, Comstock added, "He may have actually received a slight boost from people who were GLAD that they missed Inside Schwartz." He believes the number would be insignificant compared to the angry people that had to wait for the shows they do watch, however. "But, of course, it was a pretty significant press conference. So I guess we should give him slack for that."

The White House would not confirm reports that it has decided to limit future televised addresses and press conferences to nights other than Must See TV night.

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