I don't watch a lot of television. But, I do have shows that I watch on a regular basis, shows I follow, shows I really enjoy – ER, The West Wing and 24 are the only three that made it from last year to this year (besides a growing list of HBO shows: Deadwood, Carnivale and Da Ali G Show). I was fine with that list becoming shorter, since the quality of television has gone down in recent years with the introduction of reality tv. Not to say that reality tv sucks, but it's a million-times less inventive and creative than writing and producing a show.
In addition to this horrible state of television, you have NBC (a station I support, even though they constantly tried to kill off Ed) and CBS (a station I only watch for NFL) practically killing what's left of any creative juice by repurposing their hit shows CSI and Law & Order.
What is wrong with these people? Is tv really in THAT bad of shape that the viewing public needs to see the same show in Miami or New York, or from the criminal's point of view? I think not. I've never watched an episode of either show (rather, any of the six shows), and I won't, regardless of how popular they are. I just can't bring myself to watch recycled show after recycled show.
So, with the new television season upon us, I was all prepared to watch my shows on a weekly basis (since 24 doesn't start until January). As the new season neared, I began to see promos of new television shows. Of the many that I saw, two stuck out and I've started watching them both. And luckily, they're good, creative, and a great breath of fresh non-reality air.
Lost and Desperate Housewives, both on ABC, are good television ... and they're the shows that both CBS and NBC wish they could come up with. Shows like Crime & Punishment, Medical Investigation, Hawaii, LAX, Cold Case, JAG, NCIS, and Without a Trace, THEY'RE ALL THE SAME. How many damn shows do we need about weird crimes, formulaic dramas, and "ripped from the headline" stories? About 17 less, from my count.
If you can, check out Lost and Desperate Housewives, they're a great change of pace from what you may usually watch.
+ original post date: October 6, 2004 10:40 PM
+ categories: Television
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I agree wholeheartedly with you Seth..I dont even watch network TV though. I will say though that the original Law and Order used to be good TV. Watch the reruns on TNT..they are alot better back when they werent competing with CSI and felt compelled to use the same formula. It has since "jumped the shark" as they say.
Steve
+ author: stevepanic
+ posted: June 25, 2005 09:57 AM
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