Are we going to be stuck with the current glut of game shows and reality TV? How many times can you clone CSI and Law & Order? I miss the West Wing.
Well this season we finally got some quality television shows with smart writing and acting. Trouble is, some have already fallen to the axe and some are on bubble. Smith, a credible show, canceled. Kidnapped, a good show, close to extinction.
My two favorites NBC's Studio 60 and Friday Night Lights are on the bubble. Studio 60 is written by Aaron Sorkin, The West Wings creator. Excellent scripts and very good acting from a great cast. The best new show I've seen in years, and definitely not a clone. Friday Night Lights is another new show with quality scripts and actors. It's a very good sports show with great re-enactments. Sure they cost more to make than the game shows. But, given a chance they may turn into another Law & Order.
It seems the Networks are too quick to pull the trigger, and drop the ax e. Do they really want us to continue to flee in droves to cable? How many of our favorite shows would be on the air if they were only given a short time trial? All In The Family is my favorite all time example. Not to mention its spinoffs. I wonder how well they would perform against the powerhouses CSI: Miami and NCIS?
I know television is supposed to appeal to the masses. Reality TV and game shows are cheap to produce, and have a place on the Networks. But, count them. It's like an invading army! My nightmares are filled with a fall line-up game shows, reality TV and cartoons...What happens when some more of our favorites go the way of the West Wing? TiVo won't even help, there would be few conflicts in viewing.
I'm still burning from when Nathan Lane's Encore, Encore and Tony Shaloub's Stark Raving Mad were cancelled after a short run. Two fine shows which towered above the competition. I almost don't want to watch any of the new shows! What if I love t hem, then they are cancelled?
Serialized dramas do have a tough time trying to gain an audience. We want the worlds problems fixed in an hour. The Networks should give the new shows a little breathing room. Let the audience find them, maybe see what happens when CSI: Miami goes into re-runs. Maybe they will find another hit show blossoming.
The Networks can make their money now, produce more replacement series and continue to push us towards cable. Maybe we're getting exactly what we deserve, and want. It's just not good plan for television's future. I'm just trying to escape the nightmares.
Dirk Bristol is a freelance writer with a variety of interests.
Visit his Blog -PlanterWartFacts
Author:: Dirk Bristol
Keywords:: Studio 60, Friday Night Lights, TV Networks
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