The ongoing writers’ strike may end up doing more damage to the television landscape than one might expect.
As the networks run out of “scripted” shows, and viewers tire of re-runs, they are turning to “reality tv” excrement and dumbed-down game shows (we are not talking about What’s My Line or Password here) and hybrid crap like American Gladiator to fill their timeslots.
In many cases the replacements are doing almost as good, and sometimes better, than the real entertainment that they are replacing. And, as they involve no creative talent, they are a lot cheaper to produce.
In an article on the front page of the LIFE section of USA Today last Wednesday, CBS program planning chief Kelly Kahl is quoted as saying, “When you can do better than the shows you’re replacing at a fraction of the cost, it’s going to drive you to do more. And as time goes by, writers can end up losing slots for scripted shows.”
The writers won’t be the only losers. Their fellow artisans - actors, directors, stunt people, etc, etc, etc - will also find less work. And, as I have always said when it comes to the so-called “reality” offerings, the biggest losers will be the American public, who will be denied the option of true entertaining and educational television. We will be forced to choose between watching excessively fat people be berated while going through hoops trying to lose weight fast, or total “cafones” swapping wives for other than sex, or nothing.
I have heard word that “Challenge of the Network Stars" is returning. Oi vey!
And don’t think cable will offer many alternatives. With the need to fill 24 hours a day with something, cable stations, mostly subsidiaries of broadcast channels, are producing what is undoubtedly the worst steaming piles of human waste ever shown on the small screen (watch THE SOUP on “E” to see clips of just how horrible tv can be).
Forget “wardrobe malfunctions” – cable stations VH1, MTV, Oxygen and even “E” (which at least pokes fun at itself on THE SOUP – probably the only show on that station worth watching) should be fined for its content, which does more harm to impressionable younger viewers than a brief peak at a singer’s tit.
Thank God I just found Fan Cast!
TTYL
As the networks run out of “scripted” shows, and viewers tire of re-runs, they are turning to “reality tv” excrement and dumbed-down game shows (we are not talking about What’s My Line or Password here) and hybrid crap like American Gladiator to fill their timeslots.
In many cases the replacements are doing almost as good, and sometimes better, than the real entertainment that they are replacing. And, as they involve no creative talent, they are a lot cheaper to produce.
In an article on the front page of the LIFE section of USA Today last Wednesday, CBS program planning chief Kelly Kahl is quoted as saying, “When you can do better than the shows you’re replacing at a fraction of the cost, it’s going to drive you to do more. And as time goes by, writers can end up losing slots for scripted shows.”
The writers won’t be the only losers. Their fellow artisans - actors, directors, stunt people, etc, etc, etc - will also find less work. And, as I have always said when it comes to the so-called “reality” offerings, the biggest losers will be the American public, who will be denied the option of true entertaining and educational television. We will be forced to choose between watching excessively fat people be berated while going through hoops trying to lose weight fast, or total “cafones” swapping wives for other than sex, or nothing.
I have heard word that “Challenge of the Network Stars" is returning. Oi vey!
And don’t think cable will offer many alternatives. With the need to fill 24 hours a day with something, cable stations, mostly subsidiaries of broadcast channels, are producing what is undoubtedly the worst steaming piles of human waste ever shown on the small screen (watch THE SOUP on “E” to see clips of just how horrible tv can be).
Forget “wardrobe malfunctions” – cable stations VH1, MTV, Oxygen and even “E” (which at least pokes fun at itself on THE SOUP – probably the only show on that station worth watching) should be fined for its content, which does more harm to impressionable younger viewers than a brief peak at a singer’s tit.
Thank God I just found Fan Cast!
TTYL
2 comments:
Selling shit has been literally true in the age of artists.
American TV is merely the latest in the turd parade.
But we love it.
Anon-
Speak for yourself!
RDF
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