THIS JUST IN: The Addictive Manner In Which Television Brainwashes People is Accomplished By
Making people think they're better than everyone, and people keep tuning back in to stay up to date on how to think they're better than everyone. They wouldn't want to fall behind on their ego-masturbation, now would they?
This successfully remedies the temper-tantrums of a demanding masses by leaving them skill-less; as instead of pursuing meaningful hobbies, developing skills which better themselves, they are stuck glued to their seats wasting the day away.