If Network TV Goes By The Wayside, Should We Care?

NBC and their "Leno Experiment," Comcast potentially taking over NBC - the entertainment industry in recent weeks is aflutter with speculation on these topics.

But what some people are asking is, should we care?

From the perspective of a small survey of folks on the production side of the table, the answer seems to be, "not necessarily."

Grips, assistant directors, production assistants, writers, actors - most people don't care where their job is coming from...as long as they have one.

Granted, an absence of network shows could mean fewer jobs overall - but perhaps not:  Cable television (pay TV included) appears to be picking up the slack admirably, has been for a over decade and continues to gain momentum with shows like "Mad Men" that are both critically acclaimed and viewer beloved. The breakdowns (the daily list of castings that actors aren't supposed to get, but many do) is replete with postings for original programming projects on USA, TNT, Lifetime, TBS, FX, and of course, HBO and Showtime.

Is the urge to "save the networks" born more out of nostalgia than anything else?  Are wistful memories of gathering around the boob tube as a family and recalling memorable TV moments with friends the next day the driving force behind debates over recent rumors and network decisions?

Perhaps local network affiliates and their employees would disagree...