Expect

Expect is a linux command that allows you to run programs like telnet to read the output and act accordingly.

Mythtv Expect Script
spawn telnet 127.0.0.1 6546 expect -exact "# " send -- "query location\r" expect { "MainMenu" { exp_continue }       "Playback Recorded" { send "jump mainmenu\r" sleep 5 send "query location\r" expect "MainMenu" send_user "Well" exp_continue } } send -- "exit\r" expect eof
 * 1) !/usr/bin/expect