IN A RECENT MEDIA FORUM, some Broadcasting majors asked: What makes a TV show a hit? Some hopefully instructive answers: There?s star value, something ?old? (traditional) and new, good pre-and post-programming, scandal and controversy, etc.

On top of all these elements, a key consideration appears to be a basic drawing factor that we can best describe as ?seminal human impulses.? By this we mean age-old drives and instincts that are vivified by a new show?s format.

Dads vs kids

These thoughts are prompted by the success of the new local version of the US game show, ?My Dad Is Better Than Your Dad,? which pits teams of fathers and children against each other, with the dads doing their best to lead their respective kids to victory by vanquishing the competition in a series of physical and mental challenges.

The show is doing well, at least partly because of its focus on people?s competitive instinct in general, and fatherly leadership, protectiveness and strength, in particular. It?s also a traditional truism that fathers should teach their kids some skills needed for human survival, so this energizes the show?s competitive edge as well.

True, most families no longer have to hunt wild animals down to survive these days, but seminal human impulses die hard, so the instinct for survival remains strong even in the urban ?jungle.?

Driven by these seminal forces, the ?Dad? game show?s local version has turned out to be a winner?as have other TV shows that cannily plug into similarly basic human drives and needs.

The need for family unity is the driving force behind the success of the quiz show ?Family Feud.? Families that play well together get to bring home the biggest bucks.

Similarly, the need for catharsis has energized generations of televiewers? interest in drama series, teleseryes, etc. Feeling with and learning from TV drama characters? conflicts and travails are deemed so important, that the cathartic connection has remained strong ever since television was invented.

What about the enduring popularity of comedy shows? Ah, that plugs into another instinct, the humorous high and freedom from fear that results from comedy, especially of the satirical sort. How this works: Comedy takes potshots at bumptious overlords and other feared ?monsters.? By cutting them down to size, we rob them of their intimidating fangs and talons?and our liberation is rewardingly delightful.

Then there?s our need for love, which is exploited by all of the romantic dramas and comedies we view on the tube. This seminal need is particularly strong because it is designed to assure the survival of the human race. Despite the fact the world?s population is now nearing the seven billion mark, love and sex still hit the spot!

The popularity of sports and ?survival? reality shows further underscores our perceived need to win, to crush the competition, whether it?s human or force of nature.

Horror programs are similarly seminal in their appeal, due to our need to master the unknown.

Gossip shows are popular because they exploit and bolster our need to know intimate details of people?s private lives, especially if they?re celebrities. This celebrity fixation further plugs into another need: for us to ?prove? that even ?perfect? people like stars have ?feet of clay.? What does this achieve? Thus cut down to size, stars no longer seem to be so much better off than us ?ordinary? folks?and that?s ?comforting.?

But we all need to be reminded that gossip is not just an equalizer, it can also cause psychic and psychological injury to its victims, and that should be no comfort at all?to anyone.

Pro-people stance

ABS-CBN?s new station ID for summer takes a more dynamic, pro-people stance. In the colorful music video, the network?s stars are seen building homes, cleaning a river, sweeping streets and feeding children. The station ID?s creators, led by directors Paolo Ramos and Peewee Gonzales, believe that the current financial crunch can be psychologically overcome by our generosity and concern for one another.

?Observe and Report?

In his latest starrer, ?Observe and Report,? Seth Rogan plays the head of security at a suburban mall, which he ?rules? over with an iron fist. The master of his domain, he combats skateboarders, shoplifters and unruly customers?but gets his comeuppance when the mall is struck by a flasher! The dark comedy?s other stars include Anna Faris, Michael Peña and Ray Liotta.