tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1435448003077731913.post4929917682221857708..comments2023-12-21T11:09:00.632-05:00Comments on Rants of a Diva: The Death of TelevisionDame Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02684030137746709310noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1435448003077731913.post-21833930322053957262009-11-14T03:36:13.865-05:002009-11-14T03:36:13.865-05:00TV is as good as it's ever been, it's just...TV is as good as it's ever been, it's just that the popular, mainstream, free-to-air stuff is mostly crap and all the good stuff is shunted off to cable, late night or axed altogether.<br /><br />I gave up on <i>Desperate Housewives</i> after that dreadful second season (and seriously, Bree's son is one of the most vile characters I've ever seen on TV and the actor is a horrible, disgusting, idiotic prick), and I'm sure the pregnancy thing is because they've run out of stories. Shows always do that. <br /><br />In fact I generally go so far as to say that children DESTROY every show they get introduced to. It's generally a rule.Glennhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08194113062830373898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1435448003077731913.post-705249795652612252009-11-08T20:59:52.813-05:002009-11-08T20:59:52.813-05:00Damn you ripped DH a new one. It hasn't been a...Damn you ripped DH a new one. It hasn't been as good...but I keep going back every week. Sigh.<br /><br />And I've been hating 30 Rock..well not hating but not liking it. Sure I was never a huge fan, but the discordance is getting worse in a non funny way.Andrew K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/01104647944747041277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1435448003077731913.post-32325242552309552282009-11-07T09:01:33.795-05:002009-11-07T09:01:33.795-05:00I agree with you about Desperate Housewives. I sti...I agree with you about <i>Desperate Housewives</i>. I still find it entertaining but they're recycling a lot from previous episodes.<br /><br />You're right about the lack of abortion talk, but I don't think the child molester thing was exactly brave. It would have been brave if he wasn't one and the women were forced to confront their own insecurities and fearmongering. The fact that he actually was is a total cop-out and the episode is probably my least favourite.Calum Reedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05410595002533524268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1435448003077731913.post-5927909408582332272009-11-06T18:59:21.496-05:002009-11-06T18:59:21.496-05:00I agree there's a startling lack of quality in...I agree there's a startling lack of quality in today's TV landscape, but I don't think it's all hopeless.<br /><br />For me, DH died a long time ago. I never thought Gossip Girl or Ugly Betty were anything special.<br /><br />There's still dynamic entertainment to be found on TV-- just more so on cable perhaps.<br /><br />HBO has 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' (hilarious this season), 'True Blood' (increasingly campy, but always entertaining), 'In Treatment' (renewed for a third season! a prodding and vibrant drama)-- I hear 'Big Love' is good too, and some really like 'Hung.'<br /><br />Showtime has 'Dexter' (which has yet to match its first season genius, but it's still a great show), plus I've heard great things about 'Nurse Jackie.' Some people like 'United States of Tara.'<br /><br />AMC has two hugely strong shows: 'Mad Men' (which is still fantastic, if not aimless) and 'Breaking Bad' (intense and involving).<br /><br />FX has 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia' (which is having its strongest season I think) and 'Damages' (which never runs out of intrigue). 'Sons of Anarchy' is supposed to be quite good too.<br /><br />Broadcast TV has less to offer-- I watch 'House' (starting to weaken), 'Glee' (I actually prefer some episodes to the pilot), 'Modern Family' (indeed, the best new show-- a sort of 'Arrested Development' lite), 'The Office' (entertaining enough), and '30 Rock' (ditto).<br /><br />And then there's the quality reality shows. There are several. 'Top Chef' doesn't get much better than it is now, in my opinion.<br /><br />So I don't think it's time to declare television's demise. The model has just changed so that quality is born and thrives much more readily on cable.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com