New Era of TV shows off the big 3 (or 4) networks... by bobknaptor

GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

New Era of TV shows off the big 3 (or 4) networks...

POSTED BY: BOBKNAPTOR
UPDATED: Sunday, January 5, 2003 18:58
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VIEWED: 1495
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Friday, January 3, 2003 11:58 AM

Some of the most successful (and most interesting) new TV shows over the past couple years have NOT been launched on the big networks:

The Shield
The Dead Zone
Monk
Sopranos
Six Feet Under
Queer as Folk
Oz...
(I know there are a bunch more, but I'm blanking)

This leads me to wonder... have the networks really lost their edge and destined to forever wallow in the shallows of so-called "reality" programming? Seems to me like if you don't have at least basic cable, there's really little reason to ever watch TV again. I mean, sure... you've got Angel on the WB and Buffy on UPN, but other than that, now that Firefly is canceled, I can't think of a single reason to watch Fox, ABC, NBC or CBS. And other than those two shows I just mentioned, I never watch WB or UPN either.

I would sure love to see Firefly on FX or even USA, but I know that could mean losing some of our audience, so I haven't pursued a postcard campaign to these stations. But it makes me wonder if the show wouldn't have a better shot there. Look at all the promotion they have been doing for The Shield and The Dead Zone!

Just a thought. Any one else notice this?

______________
Hey, here's a funny sidebar. I'm tied to a chair - again!

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Friday, January 3, 2003 1:02 PM

ROBERTSPARLING

You are right.

This whole "reality TV" bullshit started when the SAG went on strike and the networks needed to fill the hours with something other than re-runs. And teh programming hasn't gotten better since. With few exceptions (Alias being one I enjoy) netwrok TV continues downhill. Sitcoms that have run too long have lost all hopes of being good (wasn't Friends finally supposed to end? and why is Fraiser still on?). The new stuff they have is cookie-cutter and not worth our time.

I personally would love to see Firefly on FX, but since they're owned by Fox, little chance of that. USA would be ok, but I'm not sure if they've ever launch a Sci-Fi show, or anything like it, save for the very good Dead Zone. And we all know about the Anti-Sci-Fi Channel and their inability to remove their heads from their asses, so there ya go. Personally, I wish Joss has shopped the idea out to HBO, or Showtime. They are channels that give creators free reign over their work, and think what Joss could do with no censors or other regular network interfernece.

But hey, let us hope that UPN realizs its other space show is devoid of good writing and lacking characterization, and picks up our little gem.

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Friday, January 3, 2003 1:10 PM

HJERMSTED

I've noticed the bionic marketing effort on behalf of those two shows. I can't speak for The Shield, but I've been enjoying The Dead Zone and plan to watch it in its second season.

FX is a Fox subsidiary so it may even be easier to move Firefly there rather than to UPN. Fewer households, though. Has FX ever produced an original sci fi genre program? I know they're a big X-Files and Buffy recycler.

FX may be a good plan B if UPN fails us. They also show new episodes at least twice a week which would help Firefly's audience grow.

However, I'm still dreaming of that awesome Tuesday line-up of Buffy followed by Firefly.

mattro

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Friday, January 3, 2003 2:31 PM

BOBKNAPTOR

That would be ideal, Hjermsted. I'd love that line-up (Buffy/Firefly).

But you are right about FX showing new shows twice in a week. They showed the heck out of the Shield. They showed it twice a week, plus did a marathon at the end of the season, and are in the process of reshowing all of the episodes again now just before the beginning of season 2 to get everyone excited about it again. As for the quality of the show, it's pretty decent. Not the best show I've ever seen, obviously, but it's interesting and enjoyable, although very violent. The Protagonist (Michael Chiklis/Vic Mackey) is I guess I would say "amoral", although I'm not sure that's the right word. He does have his own set of ethics, but he is not a good man. In the very first episode, he kills a fellow officer. Other things he's done: cut a man's throat to get information, steal drugs from a crime scene, keep a dealer on his payroll, threaten to expose a gay cop if he doesn't drop accussations against him... among other things. But he's an interesting character, and despite myself, I found myself crossing my fingers for him to not get caught, even though he was doing some really messed up stuff and definitely deserves to be in jail.

Probably the biggest problem with the show though is that the other characters are cardboard cutouts. You have the screw-up who's always putting everyone in jeopardy, the nerdy guy who's a good detective, trying to earn a name for himself and get some respect when everyone still sees him as the nerd they beat up in high school, the venerable, strong black woman cop who calls everybody "son" regardless of age or position, the good kid with good intentions who is running with a bad crowd, and of course the over-bearing, ever-watchful captain, trying to catch Mackey in the act, getting the bad cop thrown in jail and propelling his own ascent of the political ladder.

Mackey is the only really interesting character in the show. I enjoyed the first season, and will probably watch the second if I should catch it (although it won't be one that I die to watch every week). But I don't know how long they'll be able to string the show out if they don't start fleshing out the supporting cast.

______________
Willow: This isn't about his physical presence. It's about his heart.
Anya: His physical presence has a penis!

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Sunday, January 5, 2003 6:58 PM

SENSOU

For 16 years, the only-non cable I watched (and now do watch) was Jeopardy
(and Ninja Turtles, but let's not get into that. And, it was on PBS. Does that mean it doesn't count?)

Sensou
Sweet is love when all is sane
Sweet is death to end the pain
Cruel is death when all is well
Cruel is love when all is hell

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