How to Save(?) The Record Industry

CD sales are down--everyone knows that. So what could an enterprising old media company do to boost sales? How 'bout create a TV show that seeks to profile up and coming new talent and promote the artists before they release new albums? Well, there's a show that does that--and it's not called American Idol.

It's called Love Monkey. (You may know it as Ed and the City.)

Turns out CBS's "Love Monkey" is produced by Sony Television, corporate sibling to Columbia Records. Every week, the dramedy has Tom, a record-label A&R exec, hunting for fresh talent...Columbia's fresh talent, that is. Teddy Geiger ("Wayne" on the show) -- a 17-year-old who just signed with Columbia -- is the first artist to be "discovered" on the show. The past few weeks have given the genuinely talented Geiger glossy airtime to intoxicate viewers with his voice, which will lead up to his album debut in February.