cacklesforall  02/19/08

I'd argue that the bulk of today's pop culture appeals to niche markets, not just television shows.

dicepics  02/19/08

Rob, what you fail to mention in your argument is what era of TV is better.

t3hdow  02/19/08

Although I'll overlook the slight hypocrisy in tjb2's argument (i.e., lambasting most reality shows as disposable programming, but then affirms American Idol's for its popularity, even though it also benefits from the same shameless pandering with the auditions) and disagree with him on 24 (though I admit it's getting ridiculous with the last few seasons), the best TV programming over this decade certainly eclipses those from other era's (the '80s and '90s coming close).

With that said, I can't help but feel wary though for a few reasons:
1) The derivative programming that otherwise populates the airwaves, riddled with mostly inert crime dramas, mediocre sitcoms and yes, reality TV.
2) Trigger happy networks. Every one of them are guilty of some insidious crime of canceling a beloved show before its time, especially Fox. At least they decided to cut back on how many new pilots to order for every fall, which decreases the likelihood of DOA programs.
3) The erratic quality behind even the best shows. We've all seen it somewhere down the road. Fans of medical dramas Grey's Anatomy and House griped about many of the storylines that permeated after their two best seasons. Lost, Heroes and Friday Night Lights more or less suffered from a sophmore slump after an excellent first season. 24 season 6 was a lackluster retread and don't get me started on Prison Break. When they're great, I wouldn't trade it for the world, but when plotlines begin to sound muddled, it tries your patience.

The TV environment is indeed far from flawless, but the originality that often exudes from its greatest shows for this era eclipses even most films. It's also hard not to overlook the disintegrating movie environment lately and that it's also filled with irrefutable junk and movie studios also suffer from recycled ideas, all for the almighty dollar.

Moononastring  02/19/08

I would say that the last 10 years have been the strongest time for TV, ever. The diversity and originality of programming, the options available on both network TV and cable, the topics shows are able to explore. No, the TV environment is not perfect -- great shows like Veronica Mars and Dead Like Me get cancelled before they can find their audience; networks interfere with creative, leading to shows getting worse in later seasons (Angel, Alias), while studio heads insist on copying every successful show with countless inferior clones. There is obviously a lot of bad stuff on TV. But still, the quality of the programming is amazing, and I can't really think of any other 10-year spread that was quiet as good. Within the last decade, we've had X-Files, Friends, Buffy, Angel, Lost, Battlestar Galactica, The Sopranos, The Wire, Veronica Mars, Alias, Frasier, Sex and the City... just so many legendary, ground-breaking shows).

MJMSAM  02/20/08

I enjoyed the idea of Journeyman - a Quantum Leap updated to be more current to us, or Women's Murder Club - the books are entertaining and I had great hope that the show would be also. I am waiting for The Tudors to come back on Showtime. There a a number of shows for which I still have hope.
It is the "Reality" genre that is frightening in ways that I can't begin measure - Flava of Love, Celebrity Rehab, Moment of Truth. I'm beginning to miss Jerry Springer while at home sick because I always imagined that some of those people/stories could not possibly be true. I just caught Moment of Truth for the first time last week and was having an absolute migraine because I could not fathom sitting there telling millions of people what horrible things I had done or thought just for the 15 minutes of fame or to earn some money. What are we watching? What are we becoming?

bluetenille  02/21/08

MJMSAM comment rings so true. There are some great shows with exceptional writing. But then there is reality tv and its shamelessness. I cringe every time I see a new commerical for yet another reality tv gimmick. I think is there nothing people won't do for fame or money. Thats is why I can't say the state of tv is great. Its scary. Quality programming being shelved for wife swapping and how talentless America really is.

shaggydan  02/21/08

Man, What an excellent throwdown!

Salemskeeper  02/28/08

Can't compare quality of tv in same sentence as films. Way too different in every way. Think last week's Knight Rider is most compelling argument to agree w/ Rob. So many writers assume that b/c a show was popular once, and b/c there's nothing "better" on stick a remake of a former show and audiences will love it. Soooooooooo not true! I also agree that tv as a whole is less quality w/ way more quanity. ie lipstick jungle, men in trees, & all other dribble out there.

Mr. Strong  02/28/08

The days of the sitcom are over (for now). Until they return, television is far from its best state.

the answer is 42  02/29/08

I agree television was really on a roll until the strike pulled almost every quality program off the air.