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Randy Cassingham's BlogHistorical Details and Author's Notes from This is True® - the First For-Profit E-mail Publication (and Still Going Strong). |
TV Land
I don't watch very much TV, so when I do I want something that's interesting and thought-provoking as well as entertaining. There's a new show on this year that I really like -- and naturally it's not doing all that well in the ratings. Why? Because, I think, it's interesting and thought-provoking as well as entertaining, and what really seems to attract a big audience these days isn't the smart stuff. So I'd like to urge you to try out Studio 60 on NBC, which comes on (for me, anyway!) at the exact same time Premium editions come out (Monday night at 9:00).
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The show explores what's "wrong" with ...yep... TV, and why it's so dumbed down. It's set within the production of a Saturday Night Live type show, and on the premiere the executive producer has a Network-like meltdown, jumping in front of the camera to decry how terrible TV is getting. It goes out live and he's fired, of course, and we're off and running with the new producers and their fights with the network brass. NBC's Bravo cable channel has been running past shows, so if you haven't tried it and want to get up to speed, check there for past episodes. The bottom line: smart people (you know: like This is True subscribers!) need to support smart entertainment, or else all we'll get is more of the dumb stuff. So if you have an extra hour in your week, give Studio 60 a try.
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Thank God someone who can reach a lot of people has finally plugged Studio 60. Perhaps the people that don't like it are not hearing or grasping the dialogue. We can't be "spoon fed" all the time--sometimes you have to pay attention to get the marvelous humor. Almost all the characters on this show are so interesting and likeable that one actually cares about what happens to them. Guest spots have been great as well.
I loved Sports Night--fast-paced and witty with, again, very likeable characters (it's avail. on DVD in case you missed it). TV reception so bad I had to miss West Wing but will someday watch the DVD's.
Posted by: Andrea, Long Beach CA | February 1, 2007 1:41 PM
I do watch a lot of TV and what you said is just what I have thought for many years. Shows like 60 Minutes, The West Wing and now Studio 60 require the viewer to think and pay close attention to the issues. Apparently, this is too taxing for most people. Studio 60 is not on the same level as The West Wing, but it comes close. The acting is outstanding.
Posted by: Grace, Oak Lawn, IL | February 19, 2007 12:31 PM
Since I'm an ex-pat and been living overseas (currently Japan) for the last decade plus, I'm not able to see much of what passes for network tv, and haven't really been interested for much of the reasons you mentioned.
That said, I've been a fan of getting many of the better/best tv programs on dvd and have most of the WestWing series, and agree, if Studio60 is like that, it's probably for me so I hope it lasts at least long enough to make it to dvd :-)
So, with all the talk about whether it's good, will survive, etc, I went to see what kinds of comments reviews it's garnering at imdb.
Shock! It's still awaiting enough reviews to get a rating.
Look folks, if other people are so enamored with this program some of them, someone, a few someones, should be doing as Randy has done here and post about it.
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And I support that in general -- word of mouth (or mouse) is important for quality to survive, whether it's a TV show, a good mechanic, or an e-mail newsletter. If it's good, talk about it -- online and off. It helps ensure survival for what you find worthwhile. -rc
Posted by: Allen Nagoya, Japan | March 21, 2007 8:04 PM