Oh yes, Who is HUGE in Britain. You go over there, you can't escape it.
and you...MISS AGAIN!!!
- Thread starter RobertScorpio
- Start date
Yeah. There are many reasons why people don't like a series - it's too slow, it has logic problems (whether people choose to see the logic problems or think they're a big deal seems to vary by individual), it's got an aggravating tone (I think a lot of the BSG criticism came down to that). You can enjoy a show while not really understanding it - who the frak understands Lost anyway? - so "stupidity" shouldn't be a barrier to enjoyment.
I watch shows ultimately for two reasons: I like the premise and I like at least some of the characters. When a show has a dumb premise and no characters I like (Dollhouse), then there's no sense in me trying to like it; I know I won't. Even a decent premise won't grab me if there are no characters I like (Journeyman, Eli Stone).
Then there are the shows with good premise, good characters and lousy execution (My Own Worst Enemy) - I'll stick with them for a while before the badness finally runs me off. Sometimes the execution shapes up (ENT, Invasion, Jericho) so the wait can be worthwhile - that's why I hang in there. Sometimes good execution turns bad (Heroes) but can turn good again (Heroes). But a bad premise and uninteresting characters are crippling defects that won't change.
Networks haven't yet figured out how to make DVR-ing and downloading audiences as good at generating revenue as the dutiful ad-watchers of network TV are. The latter group is what drives all the police procedurals on CBS and reality shows everywhere, and eyeball for eyeball, they're simply easier to make money off of than sci fi fans. Businesses do tend to gravitate to the easy money, and sci fi fans are not easy. That's the real problem.
Well at this point, the historic shows (B5/Trek I like) etc are on DVD. I won't watch commercial chopped up versions of shows I own.
The next big thing is since Firefly, I don't let myself really get that emotionally attached to season 1 of anything. I know I'm fueling the problem, but the fact of the matter is if a show has to have *huge* ratings from day 1 otherwise it gets nuked, I don't see why I should just set myself up for the inevitable disappointment.
I like shows that are quirky or weird in some way and have both good characters and stories. I don't despise people who don't like/watch what I do. I know I have different tastes. Case in point, a coworker of mine can't tolerate shows that go at all surreal. They have to be very real and can't go off into the absurd/surreal. I don't think less of him for it, but at the same time, the very linear/set format shows he likes, I don't.
The next big thing is since Firefly, I don't let myself really get that emotionally attached to season 1 of anything. I know I'm fueling the problem, but the fact of the matter is if a show has to have *huge* ratings from day 1 otherwise it gets nuked, I don't see why I should just set myself up for the inevitable disappointment.
I like shows that are quirky or weird in some way and have both good characters and stories. I don't despise people who don't like/watch what I do. I know I have different tastes. Case in point, a coworker of mine can't tolerate shows that go at all surreal. They have to be very real and can't go off into the absurd/surreal. I don't think less of him for it, but at the same time, the very linear/set format shows he likes, I don't.
The network heads are idiots! I've known that for years now! They are not shooting themselves in the foot, the are shooting themselves in the head!
but that's fine, I HATE the networks with a PASSION! It's the Networks own fault for not adapting to new environments! You don't evolve, You DIE! And they DESERVE TO DIE!
Okay. Some thoughts.
The early comments here about geekiness of scifi, very true. When it's disguised like it was in 'Lost', it can keep an audience with the mystery. I'm willing to be that the drop in 'Lost's audience is in part due to a reasonable percentage rolling their eyes and saying, "Oh sci fi!"
I think 'Monster of the Week' series are a bad idea. Sometimes they work setting the characters up, but the same thing each week gets old.
By the same token, I have a very strong suspicion that if you're going to do a SF show, no story arcs for the first season! Character setup, world setup. If there is an arc keep it minimal. Then, when an arc does come along, it'll make the audience feel the show has deepened. This might have worked for ENT is B&B hadn'r been so tired.
X-Files worked for a long time because it WAS 'Monster of the Week' but not every week, the situation of the drama changed. It got tired too.
If a show could be written as tight as 'Dexter' with its balance of light and dark, drama and humour, it may work.
The big mistake with 'Lost' was accepting the idea of extending the series. While they have more eps, they weren't so good, meandering , as someone said early. Same thing happened with B5, when JMS was forced to telescope it into 4 seasons, then had to reinflate it back to 5. In the end, it becomes the network choosing quantity over quality. Both times they probably wanted to tell the network to suck it, but biting, ahnd, feed, all that.
TNG started in syndication, what's wrong with a series going back to that model?
More when I think of it.
The early comments here about geekiness of scifi, very true. When it's disguised like it was in 'Lost', it can keep an audience with the mystery. I'm willing to be that the drop in 'Lost's audience is in part due to a reasonable percentage rolling their eyes and saying, "Oh sci fi!"
I think 'Monster of the Week' series are a bad idea. Sometimes they work setting the characters up, but the same thing each week gets old.
By the same token, I have a very strong suspicion that if you're going to do a SF show, no story arcs for the first season! Character setup, world setup. If there is an arc keep it minimal. Then, when an arc does come along, it'll make the audience feel the show has deepened. This might have worked for ENT is B&B hadn'r been so tired.
X-Files worked for a long time because it WAS 'Monster of the Week' but not every week, the situation of the drama changed. It got tired too.
If a show could be written as tight as 'Dexter' with its balance of light and dark, drama and humour, it may work.
The big mistake with 'Lost' was accepting the idea of extending the series. While they have more eps, they weren't so good, meandering , as someone said early. Same thing happened with B5, when JMS was forced to telescope it into 4 seasons, then had to reinflate it back to 5. In the end, it becomes the network choosing quantity over quality. Both times they probably wanted to tell the network to suck it, but biting, ahnd, feed, all that.
TNG started in syndication, what's wrong with a series going back to that model?
More when I think of it.
Everything should be like Dexter, sure. But that's just saying, everything should be mind-bendingly excellent. Not sure that gets us anywhere.
Lost did some stalling, but it's never been anything but eminently watchable to me. I wouldn't change a thing or shorten it by one episode, cept maybe that one about Jack's tattoos.
For whatever reason, the syndication business model seems to have collapsed.
