Another Movie Guide

TV Empathy is Disappearing

Ever since the Writers Strike, people have slowly become aware of the serious lack of entertainment value of present-day television programming. I am giving my own view, here, but I feel that I’m not alone. Seems like popular shows are run just to get a goal of a certain percentage of the viewing market. Then they are dropped and another show takes its place. From a business point of view, that doesn’t seem to make much sense. Am I missing something here? What possible gain could such action get for the networks.

There has been a trend, since the second Gulf War, of starting successful shows and then cancelling them. It is possible that this phenomena is responsible for the increase of popularity of cable and satellite programming. Such things as biased network news reporting also must have some effect, but that doesn’t pose such a question as dropping a successful show,in my view. Is there some hidden thing going on here? How about this scenario. Two top TV executives from different networks are sitting in the reading room of their exclusive Clubhouse. One says to the other,”John, I’d bet I could start a TV series about anything, any subject”. “Think so, Larry”?, John questions. “Sure”, Larry says.”let me give you an example. I could start one, a reality show about a Bachelor who is rich and looking for a wife”. “No way”, John says.”They wouldn’t buy it, Larry”. “Let’s make a gentleman’s bet, John. If I win, you give a big check to your favorite charity. If I lose, I will”. Think that might be the way these things happen? It probably makes as much sense as anything else I’ve heard lately. What I do know for certain is that I am not satisfied with TV lately and I am not alone.

How do you feel about this subject? Do you believe that the Networks are taking advantage of their near-monopolistic control of your Prime Time? Are you satisfied with your programming choices? In the end, only you can make such a decision through the different Media rating services, like Nielsons, etc. Your ratings do have some power, but I feel that there are decisions being made that have little to do with ratings. Right now, all I can do is vote with my remote and hope for better. How about you?

Jim Hall’s opinions sometimes get the better of him. That’s probably why he drinks. Cavemen don’t like it when these new “Homo Sapiens” come in and change things around. Remember this,”Habit is the saviour of us all”. When he comes home to his cave, he doesn’t want to have to search for his remote. It should be right there by his chair and the large pile of chicken bones and beer bottles. Things could be worse. He could decide to run for office and attempt to kiss your baby. Don’t let him, your baby might get fleas.