Did they all suddenly get dumber, and stupid - unable to appreciate good writing, directing, performance and overall creativity???? It feels like it. Maybe they just became jaded.
Over the last few years, ratings keep dropping for new shows. People are just not tuning in for the good stuff. There could be a billion different reasons why shows are not lasting anymore.
I grew up on shows that were institutions. They lasted at least 3 seasons and often went to 5 or more. So what has changed? Is it the audience? The content? Or are the networks just not giving things a go anymore?
I argue it's a bit of all three.
Firstly, I think the popularity of the internet gave people something else to do. It got people away from their televisions. I also think that the introduction and excess of reality programs has really dumbed down the audience. Additionally, those shows are cheaper to make and easier to sell.
There are very very few shows begun after 2002 that really were good! There are always exceptions and we have seen them. In the 20th century somehow there were more shows being given a chance by networks. Nowdays its all about ratings. If something does not rate high straight off the bat, it is doomed. If they had thought that way in the old days, The Brady Bunch and many other iconic shows would never have made it! -Just something to think about.
I think that nowadays the audiences EXPECT new shows to not last. So they are not tuning in in the first place! They would rather wait till it has a good shot, and catch up by watching online or dvd. I find even I think that way. I know what is coming, I know who is in it and sometimes I really really like it (eg. Pushing Daisies, Better Off Ted), and want it to do well, but sometimes even though I want to....I just automatically expect that anything new will not last. (eg. Cupid)
Even with TIVO, people are still not watching the new stuff.
DVD's I think are also to blame. Now people can watch their old faves over and over and over again without having to care about the new stuff that isn't going to last more than a season. Not that there is anything wrong with watching old stuff.....I'm all for it. -You've seen my dvd collection and read my ranting about The West Wing. But its a factor nonetheless.
It really makes me worry about the future of tv. A lot of the BIG shows (in my lifetime) ended from 2004-2006. Today's big shows started around that time...but they are just not quite at the same standard of excellence and consistancy of quality that the old ones were. -Seriously, you cannot argue that season 5 of Grey's Anatomy is as good as season 5 of Friends. (or for a better example the first 12 seasons of ER vs. the last few)
I wonder what will happen when these big shows we have now call it quits. What will the landscape of American television look like when Desperate Housewives, Grey's Anatomy, Brothers and Sisters, Heroes, LOST etc. end. I doubt Mad Men will go for more than a few more seasons. Maybe by that time we will be ready to accept some of the old quality back again. Maybe by then we will see some more top shelf stuff make it past season 1, by the likes of J.J Abrams, Aaron Sorkin, Amy Sherman-Palladino, John Wells, the creators of Friends, Will and Grace, and other sitcoms, and any one of other greats I'm sure I've forgotton.
Stay tuned for my next rant.....on the death of the Sitcom!
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Carlie
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