How many times have I answered a version of the question, put to Woody Allen by his exasperated former love interest in Annie Hall, "What is so interesting about watching a bunch of pituitary cases stuff a ball through a hoop?"
Here two smart guys take up the question. I can't say I disagree with their general conclusion. On the other hand, so many of our entertainments are built upon market research--figure out what people like, then give it to them--that one might say, in defense of us fans, that at least the ninth inning hasn't been focus-group tested.
By the way, Woody Allen's character has an answer. "Because it's physical," he says. She protests that he should remove himself from the tv in the den and rejoin the party, where professors and writers are having interesting conversations. He sticks his hand down her blouse and says (I'm going by memory), "Just think! They'll be out there discussing 'modes of alienation' and we'll be in here quietly humping. Debusschere shoots from the corner, got it!"
