I wonder...because I see far fewer Dommes than the culture portrays...does that mean that we make up for the 'lack' with more cultural icons? Or that the culture overshadows the true Dommes who exist elsewhere?
With the amount of time blocked out for shows/commercials and attention span of the average tv viewer, they have to make any points in the quickest way possible.
Doms are portrayed more regularly because they have a more dynamic initial impact within a represented scenario.
I think the average viewer would mentally try to come up with a reason someone might be tied up instead of making an immediate connection to sexual play.
Someone in a latex/leather suit with a whip is more readily identifiable, than say... a blindfolded someone kneeling with ropes around his/her hands.

Just my opinion, newslave, so there could be some better reason to for it.