Well planetmike, being something of a traditionalist (and older than I care to think about), I have no real problem with the SM calling the show from backstage. And heck, with the technology available these days in the way of monitors, infrared cameras and the like, its a whole lot easier than in 'ye olden dayes'.
I 'get' the value of the SM seeing / calling the show from the front (albeit often in sealed room as far from the stage as humanly possible), but I often miss the connectivity of being on the deck.
(And jeez, if I think about it, I even recall the British terminology PS and OPS - though thankfully, I never had to use it)
But I digress...