Love triangles. Medical emergencies. Disastrous dinners. The stuff that TV is made of.

Think back to Gilligan’s Island, where Gilligan, the Skipper, and the rest of the group create a new island economy. Or to The Apprentice, where entrepreneurs compete for the job of a lifetime. And, envision how technology impacts money and trade in the world of the future on Star Trek.

 

When you tune in to your favorite TV show, what economic concepts play a role in the show’s plot or motivate the characters to behave in certain ways?

 

Select your favorite TV show — on network stations* only — and write a brief essay discussing how the show, or a particular episode of the show, demonstrates one or more economic principles. Consider any television genre: Adventure, drama, comedy, mystery, even animation! What economic lessons could be learned from this show? Would you make decisions similar to the characters’ decisions based on what you know about economics?

 

Remember, don’t assume your audience has watched the television show or knows the characters or plot you’re discussing. We’re looking for shows suitable for family viewing. And, of course, no profanity, no belittling, and no violent language, ideas, or themes—in other words, select a TV show you can proudly watch with your grandmother.

 

* Essays may discuss only television shows that appear on network television stations, which include affiliates of ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, PBS, UPN, and WB.