I recently finished watching the latest season of 24 and it occurred to me that that show would not have really been possible without the use of cell phones. I bet if I went back and watched it again, every episode would have at least one cell-phone conversation, if not every major scene.
The villains used them to keep their deteriorating evil schemes on track, the heroes used them to coordinate offensives - and even to exchange intimate moments. I think Motorola should have been listed in the credits. Perhaps even a new Oscar category will open up someday - best gadget in a supporting role.
One thing that did stand out for me was how unrealistic many of the scenes in these shows are. I know that I sound like most geeks who jump at every opportunity to discredit the use of technology on-screen - "There's no way he can realign a satellite with his PDA!" - but seriously, are we supposed to believe that these special agents can get cell phone reception below the surface of the earth? And who has a cell phone that makes a call in less than a second? There was not one single voicemail during the entire 24 hours!
Don't get me wrong, I like to see more tech on TV. I just think its remarkable how much less of a suspenseful show you have if you take out the ability to contact the other members of your team over cellular networks. I wonder what other gadgets are weaving their way into story lines. GOB's Segway certainly goes a long way to shaping that Arrested Development character. My kids tell me that Kim Possible can't really accomplish any serious world-saving feat without her miraculous palm-sized Communicator. And many have commented that Batman really isn't much without all his gadgets...
Maybe, in the next season of 24, the bad guys will try to take over the world through a carefully orchestrated ringtone-based, weapon of crass destruction.
