Some of M and my favorite shows leave us aching for more: Lost, Prison Break, Criminal Minds, House.
Some shows are gone forever: Everwood, Will & Grace, West Wing, Surface, Star Trek - Enterprise (yes i am a closet trekkie).
And here is where I have a huge beef with the networks. Over the last couple of years, as every year, new shows have come and gone and old ones did the same. That is the natural cicle of TV.
HOWEVER, to throw a show to the wolves after only a few episodes is BULLSHIT. To cut a show because it "doesnt fit our line-up" when it brings in more viewers then another show is BULL SHIT.
Best example for the former: Commander-in-Chief
Best example for the latter : Everwood
C-in-C was the perfect choice to replace West Wing. A show that can tackle political issues in a political environment is absolutely perfect. Sure, the writing on C-in-C was crap but that could have been fixed.
West Wing was this great tool to explain a certain government's political agendas as well as criticize those and other agendas. On top of being highly entertaining! It didnt hurt to have a group of extra-ordinary actors to bring it all together.
C-in-C had that potential. A change here, a tweak there and it could have worked.
Most people get lost listening to some CNN reporter babble about some political something. But watching fictional characters tackle the same issues in an entertaining setting can achieve what that real-life reporter can not. Keep our attention on important political happenings. Keep us informed.
Everwood was/is one of those shows that you watch and love. It isnt raunchy, it isnt scary, it isnt shoot and bang. It is super family entertainment. It tackles any subject from teenage sex to drug abuse to suicide to cancer.
It draws an estimated 7 million + viewers a week. That is the combined viewership for both Veronika Mars and One Tree Hill. YET - both have been picked up by the new network CW (a combo of CBS and Warner Brothers replacing the WB and UPN networks).
One Tree Hill in particular has been trashed by viewers and critics alike but yet - its been renewed. The rumored reason is that its cheaper to make.
Well, puu-huuu. Cheaper to make? what good does it do to safe money when nobody watches your network!?!?!?!?!?!
Sure they have some good shows: Supernatural (a fav of ours), Smallville, Everybody hates Chris and one of M's fav's America's Top Model.
But give me a break with shows like One Tree Hill, Veronika Mars, WWE Smackdown and Beauty and the Geek. Ouch!!!
To cancel shows without giving them a chance or without "listening" to its viewership just shows that networks care more about immidiate success then good programming.
Here is some advice from someone that is TV addicted (yes, i am freely admitting it!!!):
It takes time to develop decent programming, never mind GOOD programming. And only GOOD progamming will REALLY lead to success. And only success will make you people richer and richer and richer!!!!!
CUT!
PS: a special bubbye to Will & Grace - Thanks for countless laughs, rolls of the couch, belly holds and special tears!!
