May 07 2008
The Evolution of Television: It’s Changing, But Not for the Better
On a daily basis, I give my DVR a workout. I record all kinds of television shows, from comedies to dramas to documentaries. Still, even with this full plate of shows that I watch, I’m left a little hungry. I want something more. I want to bring back the good days.
Remember when Seinfeld was on the air? It was a rare breed of comedy. It was character driven, with four developed characters that carried the show together. There was no main character. They all played off of each other to great comic effect.
Or how about Roseanne? It was another great comedy with developed characters and witty retorts that has been lost in the syndication wasteland. Sure, Roseanne did jump a major shark before it ended, but the first several seasons are still fun to watch, even to this day.
Picket Fences was another great show from years past. It was a quirky “drama” that had me laughing each week. There’s nothing like that show anymore. It was the only show on record that could derive a plot line from high heeled shoes and the clergy. You can fill in the spaces on that one.
And what do we have now? We have a deer getting major surgery on Grey’s Anatomy. Or how about the relationship between Izzy and George? There is more chemistry between my two dogs.
Private Practice, the Grey’s Anatomy spin off, is terrible. It’s one of those that I can’t stop watching, because I keep hoping it will get better. Mercifully, it is on hiatus right now and I can be spared.
Then, of course, there are the reality shows. Now, I love reality television, don’t get me wrong. But I’d like to have it as a side instead of the main course.
There was Arrested Development, and I am still mourning the cancellation of that great show.
Right, now, 30 Rock is my savior. It is the only sitcom on television that brings me back to the shows of yesterday, when humor was actually important.
3 Responses to “The Evolution of Television: It’s Changing, But Not for the Better”
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Its very ‘ironic’ that we both like the same television shows. Roseanne and Seinfeld are two of my all-time top picks. Ive just now gotten into watching 30 Rock. I love Greys but agree that they do get a little unrealistic at times.
Want something a little different?-try Lost. I love it!!
THESE PRETZELS ARE MAKING ME THIRSTY!
Seinfeld is my favorite show of all-time: maybe the best sitcom ever made, IMO.
I’ve actually been back on a Seinfeld kick lately–flipping through so many DVDs that I probably went went through about over the last few days. Not kidding. What’s next? The Golden Girls? Curb Your Enthusiasm? All great!
Roseanne was great, but honestly, I have enough of my family to deal with than get even more on television.
Lately, I’ve gotten into Hardball. A lot of people don’t like Chris Matthews, but I enjoy the show for a real, honest dose of politics.
How about Real Time with Bill Maher? It’s one of the only reasons I got HBO. Well, that, and John Adams (and let me guess: your dad watched it, too!)
Would love to chat more about TV… keep up the great blogging!