Once upon a time in the Dark Ages when there were only three TV networks (ABC, NBC, & CBS, disregarding Dumont), life was easy, viewing choices were minimal, and the nation watched everything being offered by the new medium. Now, there are four major networks (adding Fox), and a gazillion cable channels, both basic and premium, and the competition has created the need for more network programming. Unfortunately, it’s not generally better programming. What are my main complaints?
What’s With the Remakes?
As with the entire entertainment industry, originality in television is not alive and well. If a certain show, of any genre, succeeds on Network A, you can bet the other networks will crank out their own version quickly. Thus, we have carbon-copy sitcoms, so-called reality shows, which are just over-the-top game shows, and glitzed-up Amateur Night offerings, which give viewers an endless line of performers doing impressions of successful pros in the industry while the judges provide the requisite sideshow. Sprinkled in among this fare are the dreaded remakes. Please, network brass, understand that for every successful Hawaii 5-0 reimagining, there are more of the Bionic Woman (without Lindsay!) and Charlie’s Angels (without anyone!) kinds of debacles. My tip: Get an original idea!
What Happened to Variety Shows?
Variety shows once dominated TV, primarily on Saturday and Sunday nights. These shows had actual stars who sang, did stand-up, did comedy sketches, and they were great! Are you luckily old enough to remember The Ed Sullivan Show, The Hollywood Palace, The Andy Williams Show, The Carol Burnett Show, or so many others? If you’re reading this, maybe you are, but likely not. The closest we get to this genre now is a bunch of shows that consist of one overly dramatic audition after another (see above).
What Happened to Talk Shows?
Yes, we still have them, mostly on late- and later-night. But the late-night shows are often of questionable taste or value, and even the good guests come and go in about three minutes. These shows are also shorter than the ones we used to have, which is probably a blessing. Even the best of the current crop have these shortcomings. Talk shows, both daytime and late-night, used to run for 90 minutes, covered relevant topics, provided real entertainment value, and the guests would have their spot and then move down the couch or to another chair and stay to participate in the remainder of the show.
What Happened–Period?
Besides the competition for viewers (and the ever-holy ratings), which should have made TV better all around, there’s the era we live in where no one just watches TV anymore. They’re networking or emailing or texting while “watching,” so much of TV is aimed at those with short attention spans, or who multi-task while the shows air, using them more for background noise. Under those circumstances, how good do the shows need to be? Also, again with the entire industry, Show Business is more about the business than the show, more about the sizzle than the steak. Immediate gratification (i.e., ratings) is expected, or sayonara. Quality is a minor consideration, at best; it’s how many bodies are tuned in that matters.
I still watch network television, although not as much as I once did–and not just because of the competition–but because that competition offers superior viewing alternatives. I don’t watch Premium Cable, only Basic, and some of my favorite shows, some of the very best shows on TV, are right there on Basic Cable. I grew up with TV. I’ll likely always watch, and I’ll continue to watch without all the distractions. Regrettably, it’s also likely that, unless the pendulum swings back again, there will be less and less I care to watch.