Do you think the Fox network gets bashed to much?

[Qonundrum]

Go back thru the decades, and Fox has been known for coming out with a good genre show that a lot of people like right away, then cancelling it after only one (or two) seasons. On the one hand, it's nice that Fox gives cool genre shows a chance, but on the other hand, we get really mad at them for canceling them too soon.

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Fox did that so frequently in the 1990s, like they had "instant gratification syndrome" or whatever. But TV still costs a lot to make, never mind competition from other networks "stealing viewers" and an over-saturated market that makes it all diluted, the numbers they wanted were simply not going to be there within the span of the 6 episode trial run. Costs a heck of a lot more now (TNG = $1 mil/ep, STD = $8+ mil/ep and inflation suggests STD would otherwise cost maybe $2 mil/ep.)

I also find it hilarious that both FOX Broadcast and FOX News are owned by the same entity and are polar opposites in terms of content. Remember that Bill O'Reilly special on how the media corrupts the kiddies but somehow didn't get a moment to mention any of FOX Broadcast's own shows? (I'm implying nothing, I'd find niche programming for different target markets with return audiences (dedicated fanbases) too.)

 

[Forbin]

I guess Gotham is still on because it was never on Sunday night.

 

[Jayson1]

My theory on FOX is that it wants to be both the daring and edgy network that makes it more attractive to younger fans and people that simply like that stuff but also is to afraid to fully let go of the old tv model of paying attention to outdated things like Neilson Ratings. It's trying to be both, thus many shows get caught in the crossfire of network executives who can't always choose which way is the best way. Plus I imagine many of their jobs are proably at greater risks if you do something unique and it fails as oposed to doing a cookie cutter Cop show and it fails. If the cookie cutter show fails it's just normal business. If the unique show flops in the ratings then you got people second guessing you for putting something on the air that isn't a proven ratings getter type of show.

Jason

 

[Greg Cox]

But I guess with all networks critically liked shows get a longer chance. Seinfeld had poor ratings the first two seasons. And critically praised shows get better residuals.

It's something of a miracle that CRAZY EX-GIRLFRIEND is on its third season, despite being one of the lowest-rated shows on regular TV. I have to assume that awards and critical acclaim are keeping it on the air, or else Rachel Bunch has some primo blackmail material on someone.

 

[bigdaddy]

It's something of a miracle that CRAZY EX-GIRLFRIEND is on its third season, despite being one of the lowest-rated shows on regular TV. I have to assume that awards and critical acclaim are keeping it on the air, or else Rachel Bunch has some primo blackmail material on someone.

CW just never cancels shows. They just leave them on Fridays / summer time until they seem to come to a natural end.

 

[velour]

I'm not talking about FoxNews. Frankly they haven't been bashed enough as far as I am concerned. To me though the regular Fox network has always been a good thing for tv. They were even HBO before HBO became HBO in terms of tv shows. They took chances with things that were differently and kind of edgy or cutting edge like "Married with Children" "The Simpsons" and "The Gary Shandling Show" and "In Living Color." No way would ABC,CBS or NBC do anything like those shows.

While it's fair that they have cut shows,especially genre shows way to early such as "Space Above and Beyond" "Brimstone" and of course "Firefly." but you can also say those shows only existed because only Fox would do them. Even "FIrefly." Also they did stick with some shows even though they weren't huge hits or huge hits at first like "X-Files" and Fringe" and "Futurama."

Plus they were proably a ahead of the curve with diversity because of things like "New York:Undercover" and "In Living Color" and the Tracey Ulman show.

Jason

In terms of the network channels, FOX did (and still does) provide an outlet for sci-fi and paranormal genre shows that the other networks gave short shrift to.

FOX did kind of shake up the industry when it premiered. Another poster mentioned that FOX had a reputation for producing crass shows. That may be true. But at least it was something different that the other networks wouldn't do, At the time, I was glad to have the chance to watch shows like "Married with Children" and "Get a Life".

And FOX was also teen friendly with shows like "21 Jump Street" and "Parker Lewis Can't Lose".

There really isn't anything special about FOX these days, especially with so many options available on so many cable channels.

 

[Jayson1]

Fox might not be special anymore when compared to cable but it's still light years better than NBC,CBS and ABC. I grew tired of police procedures many years ago. I think it was around the time Benjamin Bratt was on "Law and Order" that I realized just how bored I had become with the formula. That or maybe they did them better in the 90's with shows like "Homicide" and "NYPD BLue" and even "Law and Order" which use to feel fresh. I know even I sort of gave up on the later seasons of "NYPD Blue" once they started to loose more and more of it's cast. At one point Sipowitiz was teamed up with Zach Morris,Silver Spoons kid and Talia Winters.

Jason

 

[Greg Cox]

Last night on CRAZY EX-GIRLFRIEND there was actually a running gag about all the cop and detective shows on CBS . . . .

 

[Kronos]

I remember the original run of Family Guy. Since they brought it back it’s been consistently in the same heavily advertised time slot, but before? It ran in six episode stints six months apart in random time slots with no announcement. Fox didn’t figure out anyone liked it until the DVD sales.

They still do this, these days it's Bobs Burgers in the death slot of 7:30.

 

[bigdaddy]

Fox might not be special anymore when compared to cable but it's still light years better than NBC,CBS and ABC.

Rumour is that when Disney buys Fox Studios in 1-2 years that Fox will care less about their scripted shows (As they won't own any of them for syndication money.) and move towards more 'reality', sports and *ugh* news programing. They just bought all Thursday football for the next 5 years.