Finally something I can (easily) do that makes me healthier.
This article sumbits a theory that TV has become more engaging and requires more "active-mind" watching (requiring a background in social issues, technical issues [medical shows], and denser information delivery).

There are some informationally-questionable graphs that chart the evolution and application of multi-threaded-story of various shows like "Starsky and Hutch", "Hill Street Blues" through to "The Sopranos."

The author does attribute this rise of "rich" and "mine-able" TV shows to the increase of interactive games and a desire for "re-watchable" DVD box sets -- because it is all about the Benjamins...