Television in a State of Decline

[Mr_Choc69]

Is it just me or is TV in an almost constant state of decline? Don't get me wrong there are still some good shows out there but it seems a LOT of the new shows are the same basic concepts of existing shows. Or they are just lacking any kind of real story or depth.

Thoughts?

[2009AD]

Is it just me or is TV in an almost constant state of decline? Don't get me wrong there are still some good shows out there but it seems a LOT of the new shows are the same basic concepts of existing shows. Or they are just lacking any kind of real story or depth.

Thoughts?

People have been talking about the decline of TV for almost 50 years.

Are you watching Jerry Springer and Maury Povich or The American Experience and NOVA?

TV is like a supermarket. You walk in and it's up to you what you buy. Fruits, vegetables, juices, skim milk, and yogurt or pork rinds, soda, ice cream, and hot dogs.

[Solitary Brother]

Is it just me or is TV in an almost constant state of decline? Don't get me wrong there are still some good shows out there but it seems a LOT of the new shows are the same basic concepts of existing shows. Or they are just lacking any kind of real story or depth.

Thoughts?

You must have just awaken from a coma(god forbid).
Its been this way for like 15 years AT LEAST.
All the execs in Hollywood care about is MONEY.
Look I love Star Trek buy how many movies can you really make before you loose all credibility?
Look at Springer and Povich......
Its filth catered to the lowest common denominator.
I have only had 2 TV's in my life....both 13 inch models.
I went 7 years without a TV at all.
Maybe thats why Im so different.

[bte]

Hollywood has been making movies and tv shows for how long? I think it was bound to run out of original ideas.

[thx1138]

I love Jerry and Maury. You make pandering to the lowest common denominator sound as if it were a bad thing. People should have the freedom to practice alternative life styles without fear of censorship. These shows mostly revolve around the theme of infedelity, jealousy and revenge. These are honest emotions. Shouldn't be suppressed.

[bte]

I have a feeling that shows like Povich and Springer are just a little bit fake. I am not saying that real stuff like that can happen, but what are the chances that the man in the woman's life is sleeping with her mum, brother, and a hooker as well.

[Alyssa87]

LOST season finale tonight @ 8!

http://www.weeklyreader.com/readandwriting/content/binary/happy%20and%20excited.jpeg

[timxxx]

LOST season finale tonight @ 8!

http://www.weeklyreader.com/readandwriting/content/binary/happy%20and%20excited.jpeg

So you're the one still watching that.

[Alyssa87]

riiiiighthttp://l.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/mesg/emoticons7/23.gif

[SarahG]

LOST season finale tonight @ 8!

http://www.weeklyreader.com/readandwriting/content/binary/happy%20and%20excited.jpeg

So you're the one still watching that.

LOL!

For a while I would catch lost periodically, it seemed at the time that no matter how many episodes I missed, I wouldn't have any problems following the plotline because the writers have been so slow in making developments in the storyline.

[jcinva]

Is it just me or is TV in an almost constant state of decline?

It's not just you. TV is definitely going down the drain. It's like some of them are not even trying any more.

Hell, man! At least pluck your eyebrows and do something about that 5 o'clock shadow. You look like a gorilla in a sun dress!

[SarahG]

Is it just me or is TV in an almost constant state of decline? Don't get me wrong there are still some good shows out there but it seems a LOT of the new shows are the same basic concepts of existing shows. Or they are just lacking any kind of real story or depth.

Thoughts?

This has been going on forever.

But what would you consider the "best era of tv shows" if not the current time?

[Legend]

There are some good shows out there but they don't get the media hype as some overrated shows like lost and heroes and get canceled quickly.

[Silcc69]

Plus people love these trashy fake ass reality show ( ME included.)

[hippifried]

This is just another case of an industry being dominated by bean counters. Imaginative innovation requires risk. Nobody's willing to pony up because that might interfere with maintenance of the quarterly reports. Entertainment is art & you have to strive for excellence, but that's not condusive to mass advertizing numbers that look for the lowest common denominator.

[sucka4chix]

As someone already stated, I believe this is a product of the greed (deadly sin) that will eventually be the downfall of civilization, and is the cause of our current financial crisis. People don't care about a good product, only a lucrative one. But I also submit that people aren't as creative as they used to be. Kids used to be able to entertain themselves with just a stick because they could imagine it was anything. Nowadays kids don't even want to go outside. "what's there to do out there?" they say. If it ain't on a computer, they don't want it. They are quite creative WITH a computer, but using their brains without one is a lost ART. Thats why tv, movies and music are all just re-hashed garbage--- they know how to use a computer to re-do someone elses art, but lack the creativity to come up with something new.

[El_hefe]

Is it just me or is TV in an almost constant state of decline? Don't get me wrong there are still some good shows out there but it seems a LOT of the new shows are the same basic concepts of existing shows.

Old saying: "Imitation is the sincerest form of Television."

Nothing has changed, your brain is telling you to watch better shows or, God forbid, read a book. 60 Minutes, Frontline, Independent Lens, Entourage (maybe... lets see if they maintain), IFC, NGC,.... there's some decent stuff around, you just won't find much of it on the networks in prime time. Get a dvr & cherry pick.

Just remember the Tv networks job isn't to be creative, it's to sell soap. Its method is to keep the largest amount of people possible in an uncritical semi-stupor until the commercials run & it will put anything on that will accomplish that.

[NewAgain]

The only great shows left....

http://www.elfox.net/src/img/img_prison.break.jpg

http://www.seriesadictos.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/24_jack.jpg

http://web.utanet.at/ebrfl/Forum/LostWallpaper1.jpg

[luv2playwithTgirls]

It's funny how opinions vary on what actually IS good TV. Frankly, TV has been about the same for the last 50 years, 90% crap and 10% watchable product. This hasn't changed, just the quantity. I'm always amazed when I watch some movies or shows that I thought were fantastic back in the 70's and 80's how absolutely terrible they actually were. Acting like things have gotten worse is simply misplaced nostalgia.

[Legend]

The only great shows left....

http://www.elfox.net/src/img/img_prison.break.jpg

http://www.seriesadictos.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/24_jack.jpg

http://web.utanet.at/ebrfl/Forum/LostWallpaper1.jpg

LOL "great" more like overhyped pieces of mainstream garbage but to each his own.

[NewAgain]

overhyped ?? I dont think so! There great well writen shows! Anyone who has took time to watch them can appreciate them. Even if its not your thing you still have to give them credit!

[Mr_Choc69]

Is it just me or is TV in an almost constant state of decline? Don't get me wrong there are still some good shows out there but it seems a LOT of the new shows are the same basic concepts of existing shows. Or they are just lacking any kind of real story or depth.

Thoughts?

This has been going on forever.

But what would you consider the "best era of tv shows" if not the current time?

70's and 80's.

[SarahG]

Is it just me or is TV in an almost constant state of decline? Don't get me wrong there are still some good shows out there but it seems a LOT of the new shows are the same basic concepts of existing shows. Or they are just lacking any kind of real story or depth.

Thoughts?

This has been going on forever.

But what would you consider the "best era of tv shows" if not the current time?

70's and 80's.

Really?

Only 70s or 80s show that I can think of, that I've seen reruns for on cable, that is any half way decent is Mash... and even then what could have been a great show, was made mediocre by the excessive campyness. Same could be said for Miami Vice for that matter.

[Silcc69]

http://terminerd.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/sarah_connor_chronicles_poster1.jpg BAD ASS SHOW

[Willie Escalade]

The only television I watch now is sporting events and the news. I wait for Family Guy and American Dad to come out on DVD. There are a few other shows I can sit through though.

I'm usually reading a book, or on the computer...like I am now.

[alpha2117]

It's funny that so many people seem to thin TV is in decline because nothing could actually be further from the truth. We are actually in a Golden Age for scripted Televisions and I can prove it.

In the early days of TV there was basically variety shows and what essentially equated to live plays.

Then as budgets grew more effort was put into programming and the early TV shows that are still remembered started to flourish. They mainly fell into 6 groups- Soap Operas, Sitcoms, Doctors, Cops & Lawyers. There were also Westerns up until the mid 70's. The Drama shows used cops, docs and lawyers because they offered easy to comprehend drama. That formula was basically maintained for a long time. There were exceptions like Twilight Zone or Star Trek but as a whole TV was very formulaic. Over time TV became seen as the place B Grade actors and fading stars went to die.

The big game changer was strangely the arrival of FOX. Fox was desperate to capture an audience so they broke formula. For the first time in 20 years they tried a Prime Time cartoon (the Simpsons) and a sitcom that harked back to shows like the Honeymooners in that it tried to be crass, brash and utterly without a moral lesson in Married with Children. Suddenly Fox had hits.

Over the next 20 years with Cable drama staions like HBO flourishing TV executives have been encouraged to try something different. Six Feet Under, The Sopranos, Sex and the City and other shows that would never have been considered pre- Fox had long and succesful runs.

If you peruse the TV guides you'll see a wide range of options and shows with Lead Actors who are still in their prime.

Even the Cop, Lawyer and Doctor shows show evidence of experimentation. Shows like The Mentalist or House are quite a departure from the formulas employed in the past.

I could throw a seemingly endless series of current shows that break formula and offer an interesting experience for their audience. Not all are to everyones taste but thats the whole point. Television is now confident enough to offer different programs that they know will appeal to different audiences rather than dull formula that tries to appeal to the "average" viewer.

Dexter, Lost, Rescue Me, House, Criminal Minds, The Law & Order franchises, The CSI franchises, Chuck, Dollhouse, Terminator, Supernatural, Smallville, Merlin, Mentalist, Nip/Tuck, 24, Heroes, The Office, Desperate Housewives, My Name is Earl, Two and a Half Men, Ugly Betty, True Blood, 30 Rock and on and on. Diferent shows, different formulas, different experiences.

Even the much maligned variety and reality tv genres show a large amount of diversity. You may not like Hells Kitchen or Survivour but their hyper-realities offer a differnt type of drama experience than what you could experience 20 years ago.

There is plenty of stuff I dont like on TV including some of the shows I've listed but thats the point. Not everything is cookie cutter nowadays. That means that you'll get plenty of stuff ou will dislike as well as stuff you'll love but one thing is certain it's a hell of a lot better than what we were being served up for most of the last 60 years.

[Dino Velvet]

I have the mega-DirecTV package and just love TV. I like all the movies, documentaries, sports, etc. As far as regular TV, I miss The Shield(FX) which was my favorite. I do like 24, Prison Break, CSI(Las Vegas), Law And Order(Original, SVU, CI), Criminal Minds, Damages, and COPS.