Some philosophers can't bear to say simple things, like "Suppose a dog bites a man. " They feel obliged instead to say, "Suppose a dog d bites a man m at time t," thereby demonstrating their unshakable commitment to logical rigor, even though they don't go on to manipulate any formulae involving d, m, and t.
And TV is not the easiest place to be dangerous or on the edge. Especially on a Saturday night.