I want to first affirm that I am a big fan of classic, long-running television series like Dallas, Friends, Seinfeld, The Cosby Show, and Family Ties. I also thoroughly enjoy more recent hits like Modern Family, Dexter, Boardwalk Empire, and The Big Bang Theory. I recognize the reasons these TV shows have garnered a high share of the ratings, and a high viewership on top of that. They all have dynamic, flawed characters who remind of us ourselves, and of who we wish we were. They also have a certain formula that appeals to the masses, which keeps (or kept) them on the air for several long seasons. There is a central character (or group of characters) who has major issues, some of which are always revolving around him (or her, or them) not feeling good enough, and the show’s storyline gives them a feeling of accomplishment. We like to see these shows end positively, but not without some amount of trouble along the way, because it mirrors life. Now, what would you say if I told you there were other shows that fit this paradigm but that you’ve maybe never heard of?
Other shows that I love include Life, Miss Match, Gideon’s Crossing, Dollhouse, Tru Calling, Watching Ellie, and Eli Stone. Like the shows above, these are dynamic, with memorable characters and amazing story lines. Unlike the shows above, these were all short-lived programs that only live on in a few die-hard fans’ memories, and as copies I made when they originally aired. So, what differentiates these two types of programs? Ratings. Ratings. And more ratings. The ratings monster has become just that, a monster that needs some vanquishing. How is it that a few hundred homes, out of thousands, get to decide which shows ultimately succeed and which ones get canceled after a couple of episodes into their second season, at the end of their first season, after six episodes, or even after just one episode?
It makes me glad that I have made copies of those shows’ episodes when they aired, so I can still watch them whenever I like. Some of my favorite episodes come from these shows, and some of the best acting performances also hail from them. And these shows had true fans. When they were trying to cancel Chuck, hordes of nerds swarmed the messageboards and saved the show, but those reprieves are few and far between. By the way, my household has been a Nielsen family before, but what kind of a dent do you think we made in the massive machine that pushes shows like The Neighbors to prominence when it is deficient in every other category?
So when I feel like a marathon of that little seen NBC show, LAX, featuring the acting talents of Miss Heather Locklear and Mr. Blair Underwood, I can do it, and I can feel good about keeping its spirit alive, even if the poor ratings killed it.
Sam
Sam's Online Journal 