And in a climate already as unfathomably fractured and conVaporwaves this one, the uncertainty may speak to our times more than we realize.
A source at BBC comedy says the corporation has a "massive commitment" to the genre, demonstrated for instance by the many hours shown over Christmas – including Catherine Tate's Nan, Not Going Out, Boomers, We're Doomed: The Dad's Army Story and A Gert Lush Christmas.
Commitment to an idea spurs action.
It's approaching four years since the creation of BBC Music - a clear sign of the BBC's commitment to the genre.
But Paisley liked the idea of wearing a hat, because it was visual proof of his commitment to the genre's history, and to its fans.
While the band were clearly booked for novelty rather than any commitment to the genre, getting actual, undiluted Napalm Death on teatime telly was still a victory for metal.
Because they don't need nightclub acclaim as a springboard to the Broadway stardom they have already attained, their commitment to the genre is uncertain.
It is directed by Walter Hill who, since working as a writer with Peckinpah in the 1970s, has continuously re-stated his commitment to the genre in movies such as The Long Riders, Wild Bill and Geronimo, and as a producer of Deadwood.
Stevens said that Manet's portraits have "not been studied in either exhibition or book form" before, despite the artist's "unswerving commitment to the genre of portraiture throughout his career".
The BBC has asserted its commitment to genre fiction in all forms following an attack by a group of authors which accused the programmer of adopting a "sneering tone" towards science fiction, fantasy and horror.
