According to game execs, the older demographic isn't too keen on having a system in the front room. Nintendo President Satoru Iwata commented about the intentional design of the Revolution's controller to appear more like a common remote. This is to make the presence of the game system less offensive to the older demographic. Perhaps even entice them to pick it up.

I mentioned this to my father when I was visiting today. He was amused. Dad has his 360 in his living room, sans remote. Ironically, my mother does not approve.