[ Post a Response | EVEN DeepER Blurting! ]
Posted by DexterBG on 1/19/2009, 5:08 am
Unfortunately my Inverse Law of Tv programming is still on track. Briefly it's that "as the degree of Tv technology increases, Tv programming intelligence decreases." Or, as we approach interactive 3D holographic Tv, we end up with nothing to watch but reruns of the Gong Show.
Now that we're well into seeing digital HD Tv across the US. And losing the old analog system. We're faced with less and less original dramatic programming. And more and more of programs like "Deal or No Deal" and "Hole in the Wall", during prime time. Apparently the ever increasing costs of Tv production, and the drop in the US economy, is forcing this choice of programming on us. Even Cable and Dish subscribers will eventually fall victim to this, too (if not already). As long as producers, directors, and actors all need to be paid millions a year to work. And the studio executives, billions. They'll someday drive the whole entertainment medium into bankruptcy. But at least we'll all have high definition sets to watch 1960s b&w reruns on.
I'm currently catching up on reruns of "The Patty Duke Show" and "The Outer Limits" on the latest new digital network called "This(Tv)". Which shows mostly two star movies from the 1960s thru 1980s, during the day and evening. And a few old sitcoms (like "Mr. Ed" and Patty's show) and other b&w series, during the early morning hours. Well, at least its 24 hours of real programming, without eight hours of infomercials. It hope it lasts, but it's another example of lowest cost programming. And if the digital subchannel it's aired on, hadn't been possible. The "THIS" network never would have existed either.
I can't help but wonder that if Digital Tv had been brought about 20 years ago, that MST3k would have had its own dedicated network too? Or at least shared one, along with Buffalo NY's "Off Beat Cinema" and the rest of Retro Tv Network's programming. Oddly enough, I just saw Off Beat Cinema air "Day the World Ended". I wonder when they do Manos? Or dare they do it?
In any case, as Tv programming becomes more and more of Howie Mandel's bald head in HD. I'm considering rerunning all my SD tapes and DVDs of MST3k, rather than suffer this summer's drought of dramatic programming. I'm not a fan of "24". And the few pearls like "Life on Mars" and "Pushing Daisies" are far between. And subject to cancellation, just when we start to care about them. Many a series I fell for got the axe after a single season (or a few episodes). Remember "Wonderfalls"? The broadcast Tv networks ask us to get involved in the story lines they produce. And yet may decide to pull the plug on at any time. Even in mid-season. And then ask us to come back, and trust them again the following year.
But if they keep up this fickle attitude, they may find they've lost most of us for good. Especially if DVD series sales becomes the norm, over first run broadcasting. I've seen five seasons of "Monk" thru my local library, without needing Cable, or worrying whether there would be a next season. I only wish we could see whole or half a season of MST3k at a time, on DVDs. Rather than just the dribble of episodes we get each year.
-Dex-
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