said by dandelion:... build a nice mantle ... (to avoid that straight up and down look)
It looks like a tree made of stone or an outdoor fireplace that the house was built around. Which is also what a smokestack looks like. Smokestacks look better in industrial chic decorating, when they are brick.
I'll second the mantle. Regardless of the TV placement, a low, wide stone mantle might help break up the smokestack look. Check out that option with a stonecutter or a quarry shop. Maybe they could route a wiring groove, or embed raceways (one for 120V and one for low voltage) along the back. As previously mentioned you can put your TV on top of the mantle. Low enough, you won't have as many neck issues.