VO seems largely to function as title cards in classical cinema. Mimicry of the guarantor of experience, subjectivity and seriousness of the novelistic voice. Television makes more common use of onscreen narrators - whether it is Joe Friday, news broadcasters, or Oprah. On-screen narratees turn us into eavesdroppers. Story segments are generally arranged into very predictable patterns.
Popular culture is more formulaic than high art.
There will always be chases in cop shows, resolution and a lesson at the end of a sitcom. This is why there is so little suspense in television, compared to novels or films. This is also why expensive TV, especially commercials, has to be glossy to make up for the lack of suspense. Regular TV rarely lives up to the expectations generated by credit sequences. Although most television is recorded, liveness is often simulated.