That reminds me of a story Don Grady (My Three Sons) tells on a PBS special about former juvenile actors that may shed some light.

He said that when Ben Casey and Dr. Kildaire were on, in the '60s, everybody in his high school classes suddenly wanted to study medicine and become a doctor. These days, he said, young people watch Grey's Anatomy, and want to study drama and become an actor.

Not sure what that says, but I think there's something to it.

Alien Interlocutor: "Tell him what he's won, Johnny!"
Alien Controller: "Glad to, Bob."