Mental Engineering was a PBS television series where host John Forde led a panel discussion that did critical—and humorous—analysis of TV commercials. The show originated as a public access program on the Saint Paul Neighborhood Network in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1997. It is considered by its host to be the first cable access show to be aired nationally, as one episode following Super Bowl XXXVI in 2002 aired on PBS stations capable of reaching 85% of the population of the United States. "Super Commercials: A Mental Engineering Special" featured nationally-known TV personalities Aisha Tyler and Lizz Winstead along with two other guests from Minnesota, but is considered to have been one of the poorer-quality episodes made over the show's run. Forde indicated in 2004 that he wanted to continue the program, but it appears that no new episodes have yet been made.

Funding was a major issue for the program, as Forde did not want to solicit or accept donations from corporations. He did obtain some assistance from Lutheran Brotherhood, a non-profit life insurance company, along with production help from Twin Cities Public Television (TPT). Forde essentially gave the show away for free, paying TPT a US$120 uplink fee to distribute each program through PBS's satellite network. By September 2001, the program was airing on stations covering 41% of the U.S., and was most importantly carried by notable PBS outlets WGBH in Boston and WNET in New York City. The show received rave reviews from The New York Times and other influential news outlets, even prompting a congratulatory letter from Bill Moyers.

At nearly every step along the way, the show was considered a "no-budget" program, though the Super Bowl appearance did warrant a nicer set. The two local guests for the "Super Commercials" episode were Leola Johnson and Chris Vigliaturo, who were series regulars. Lizz Winstead actually appeared in multiple episodes of the show, as did area comedian Jeff Cesario, who has made other national appearances.

Two somewhat similar shows aired on public TV stations back in the 1960s, the Ford Foundation-sponsored programs Public Broadcast Laboratory and Your Dollar's Worth.

External links

• Mental Engineering (http://www.mentalengineering.com/)

References

• Stephanie Lash (September 4, 2000). Forde's ad literacy, humor fight against consumer lust. (http://www.current.org/prog/prog0202me.html) Current.
• (January 28, 2002). PBS goes for Mental Engineering on Super Bowl Sunday. (http://www.current.org/prog/prog0202me.html) Current.
• Catherine Reid Day (September 2001). One Cultural Creative's Journey through the Between. (http://www.edgenews.com/issues/2001/09/day.html) EDGE News.
• Brian Lambert (November 12, 2000). Ad Nauseam: With healthy skepticism, St. Paul's Mental Engineering bites the advertising hand that feeds most of TV programming. (http://www.mentalengineering.com/pioneerpress.htm) Saint Paul Pioneer Press.