Perhaps it is a small taste of how tiring the constant shitting on current series is.
Those “low-budget larks” included
what was described at the time as the most expensive show on TV.
The flaw in your argument can be demonstrated by two words - Quantum Leap. It ran contemporaneously with TNG, was far from a big budget series, had 22 episodes a season, and yet its virtually unknown lead Scott Bakula picked up four Emmy nominations for best actor.
Neither of these things are the arguments you think they are.
TNG only became that way when it's budget was nearly doubled before the sixth season - after the success of the middle three seasons.*
* And wouldn't you know, the show did end up getting nominated in one of the (or
the) main categories. Now, like most people, I don't really count it because it was so obviously a 'feel-good gimmie'. But the common assumption is that it was a make-up for season four, which absolutely did deserve it. After the seminal television that was the first season of TOS, it the best season of Star Trek without question. Even for a show that remained episodic, it presents a defined season-long thematic arc, which is stated right up front in big blue letters with the title of the first episode after the cliffhanger resolution. And each of the main characters gets their own episode dedicated to exploring a certain aspect of that theme, all culminating in the season finale. It's concise, consistent, and clear. It's what well-planned, conceptually thought-out writing looks like.
**And let's be clear, even after the huge boost in TNG's budget it still didn't cost half as much per episode (adjusted) as Disco does. And that still ignores the fact that they were making 26 episodes every nine months versus 13 episodes every 18 months.
As for Bakula, I never said unknown actors didn't get Emmy nominations. That would be a ridiculous assertion as it happens all the time. The whole point I was trying to make is that there is a clear difference in both intent and expectation in bringing Lucius Malfoy and the guy from Rent versus casting Robert Beltran.
Click on his profile. He's a "TOS Only".
I actually had to look this up because I had no idea what you're talking about. I don't think I was aware that was even a thing. Or if I did, I probably set it when I joined (twenty fucking years ago) and haven't given it a second thought since. And for all I know, I only picked it because it's the first option.
I'm not really a fan of any of the shows. I'm a fan of episodes. And there are episodes I like from
every series. And lots and lots of episodes I never care to see again. I suppose if I had to pick, I'd choose TOS, but only the first season. And even then, there are a few episodes that, while great, I don't personally care for.
But I'm happy to fill your confirmation bias assumption quota for the day.