Sal
11-07-2004, 12:40 PM
Thanks to the ever-expanding channel universe as well as other factors such as syndication, satellite dishes, digital cable, DVD and VHS recorders, more and more DVD releases of classic and current shows, and new inventions lke TiVo and PVRs, it is now humanly possible to watch any show on any channel at any time (except, of course, for "That's My Mama". Right, Solomon?). The problem with this theory is that sometimes channels, like TBS for instance, tend to overdo it, which results in multiple airings of the same show and less variety overall, which leads to many other more deserving shows getting overlooked. (Too much of a good thing, perhaps?)
For example, the biggest complaint that I keep reading on this board about "The Cosby Show" is that it is on too often. It is a great show, one of the more important and groundbreaking series ever, and I love to watch it, but is it really on too often compared with more recent hits like "Friends"? I decided to study the matter myself by looking at the TV listings for certain series on regular cable in my local viewing area for the upcoming week, concentrating on the regular Mon-Fri weekday schedule.
In that situation, "The Cosby Show" did quite well. In my area, the show can be seen, on average, 4 times a day, at 1:00 and 1:30 pm on TBS and 2:00 pm and 2:30 pm on PRIME, making for a nice 2 hour block in the early afternoon hours. Believe it or not, this pales in comparison to other series. See for yourself:
"Friends"
6 airings per day, 5 different times, 4 different channels. TBS has it on 3 times a day. At 7:30 pm, it can be seen on 2 different channels.
"The Simpsons"
6 airings, 4 different channels.
"Seinfeld"
6 airings, 3 different channels, each channel showing it twice per day. At 6:30 pm, it can be seen on 2 different channels.
"Frasier"
2 airings, 2 different channels. That's right, only twice a day.
Same goes for "Cheers" and "Will and Grace".
"That 70s Show"
3 airings, 2 different channels.
Still too much, you say? That's nothing! Prepare to meet the new champion:
"Everybody Loves Raymond"
Monday---12 airings (12!), 5 different channels, 9 different times, seen at the same time on two channels on 3 different occasions, not counting its regular 9:00 pm prime time airing on CBS.
Tuesday---10 airings
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday---11 airings
If this doesn't boggle your mind enough, one of the channels that shows this series in Canada is called Telelatino (or TLN, for short), which offers programming mainly in Spanish and Italian. Since the Barones are supposed to be an Italian-American family, why not have it on an Italian language channel? Right now, TLN is offering the regular English version at 10:30 and 11:00 pm, with plans to also offer versions in Spanish and Italian in the near future. This being Canada, don't be surprised if another channel comes up with a French version soon. By my count, that would add up to at least 15 airings per day in 4 different languages. Can you say "Enough already!"?
I happen to like the show and I don't mind watching it once or twice a day, but really now, 12 times a day??? I believe that Mr. Cosby is overdue for a huge apology!
Remember, this is only in my viewing area. What about where you live? Which sitcoms tend to be on far too often for your liking?
For example, the biggest complaint that I keep reading on this board about "The Cosby Show" is that it is on too often. It is a great show, one of the more important and groundbreaking series ever, and I love to watch it, but is it really on too often compared with more recent hits like "Friends"? I decided to study the matter myself by looking at the TV listings for certain series on regular cable in my local viewing area for the upcoming week, concentrating on the regular Mon-Fri weekday schedule.
In that situation, "The Cosby Show" did quite well. In my area, the show can be seen, on average, 4 times a day, at 1:00 and 1:30 pm on TBS and 2:00 pm and 2:30 pm on PRIME, making for a nice 2 hour block in the early afternoon hours. Believe it or not, this pales in comparison to other series. See for yourself:
"Friends"
6 airings per day, 5 different times, 4 different channels. TBS has it on 3 times a day. At 7:30 pm, it can be seen on 2 different channels.
"The Simpsons"
6 airings, 4 different channels.
"Seinfeld"
6 airings, 3 different channels, each channel showing it twice per day. At 6:30 pm, it can be seen on 2 different channels.
"Frasier"
2 airings, 2 different channels. That's right, only twice a day.
Same goes for "Cheers" and "Will and Grace".
"That 70s Show"
3 airings, 2 different channels.
Still too much, you say? That's nothing! Prepare to meet the new champion:
"Everybody Loves Raymond"
Monday---12 airings (12!), 5 different channels, 9 different times, seen at the same time on two channels on 3 different occasions, not counting its regular 9:00 pm prime time airing on CBS.
Tuesday---10 airings
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday---11 airings
If this doesn't boggle your mind enough, one of the channels that shows this series in Canada is called Telelatino (or TLN, for short), which offers programming mainly in Spanish and Italian. Since the Barones are supposed to be an Italian-American family, why not have it on an Italian language channel? Right now, TLN is offering the regular English version at 10:30 and 11:00 pm, with plans to also offer versions in Spanish and Italian in the near future. This being Canada, don't be surprised if another channel comes up with a French version soon. By my count, that would add up to at least 15 airings per day in 4 different languages. Can you say "Enough already!"?
I happen to like the show and I don't mind watching it once or twice a day, but really now, 12 times a day??? I believe that Mr. Cosby is overdue for a huge apology!
Remember, this is only in my viewing area. What about where you live? Which sitcoms tend to be on far too often for your liking?