THE FUTURE! The future of this aggressive industry could be summed up in two words: THE INTERNET! Almost every panel discussion had to do with how to coerce Web surfers into typing out their credit card numbers. Think about it: Each person staring at his or her computer screen at this moment means one LESS person ordering Richard Simmons' Move, Groove, and Lose off the TV set. You're costing them MONEY, dagnabbit!

As ERA Chairman, industry consultant, and TV producer ("America's Scariest Police Chases") Earl Greenberg told me:

Hang on to your EYEBALLS, people!