Ethan Riley
Senior HTF Member
- Joined
- Oct 12, 2005
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- Ethan Riley
Originally Posted by Regulus
Nobody cares about network tv anymore. Everybody's watching cable fare like Dexter. Those are the shows that are doing well nowadays. Everything on the big networks is just because cheaper and more throwaway. I believe your comment, and I think if they don't shape things up, that within five years they'll be showing nothing but cheap reality (bites) shows and news programs in primetime, while Showtime, HBO and the like get all the really good scripted shows.
I think it goes a little deeper--I think it's just consumer dissatisfaction with commercial television in general. If they're watching television at all, they're opting for the meatier fare they get from those pay channels. People have been exposed to quality if they've been following things like the Sopranos, and such shows make their network counterparts seem weak in comparison. The main networks can't come up with anything good except for the same crime drama sequels of shows that weren't even that great to begin with. Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior, anyone? I didn't think so. And soon people will stop watching even those, because there's better crime programs on cable (apparently, "Southland" was just too damn good for NBC, but it's thriving on TNT). Ditto that to "Friday Night Lights." These shows were too compelling and involved for the regular networks but proved themselves elsewhere. In fact, I guarantee you that any show from now on that's too interesting is going to end up on cable lol. All the trite ones will continue on CBS or wherever, but all the good ones will be found on cable. It's a weird process, but I see it happening more and more each year.
Back to topic--I wouldn't be surprised if someday the cable networks try their hand at daytime-type soaps. Well, DirecTV had NBC's cast-off "Passions" and it didn't do too well, (but they also didn't give it much of a chance if you ask me). Anyway I think if someone comes up with a nice limited run kind of show for daytime, it might do okay. Maybe a show that's only intended to last for one year, rather than 50. But who knows--I know that someone, somewhere still would like to follow a soap opera on a daily basis. It's time to try something new to serve that audience.