Saturday, January 20, 2007

Musing: Star Power

Browsing Newsarama I discovered that Scott Porter of the NBC show Friday Night Lights really likes comic books. Awesome, the more people that like comic books the better.

What makes Scott important is his status. He isn’t any mere mortal; the man is on a TV show. Which, to many Americans, means he’s reached the pinnacle of his career.

This garners him a special platform; he can be a spokesperson for the comic book industry. I’m not sure that’s what he wants to do, I’m sure he’s busy with acting and such, but as Erik Larsen discussed in his CBR column, star power can really help a product.

What I’m concerned with is whether or not Mr. Porter is preaching his love of comic books to non-comic book audiences. His interview with Newsarama isn’t targeting non-comic book readers to read comic books. It’s targeting comic book readers to watch his show.

And there’s nothing wrong with that. He should be getting as many people to watch his show as possible. It’s the source of his income.

Thankfully, it looks like Mr. Porter talks about comic books wherever he goes. Lucky guy even got to interview Masi Oka.

It would be like Dean Cain playing Superman, Shaquille O’Neal having the Superman tattoo or even a wrestler who’s name doesn’t spring to mind having a Green Lantern tattoo and parading around his love of the comic book.

I don’t have any proof, but I think celebrity endorsements work. Otherwise, companies wouldn’t shell out so much money for them.

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