How Would You Improve Nickelodeon? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 11-18-2008, 05:03 AM

I think that anybody who grew up in the '80s and '90s like myself, will naturally have issues with the current state of Nickelodeon. I don't have a lot of time to put forth my full feelings about the current situation. However, I'll say that my main concern with Nickelodeon right now, is the lack of creativity with their shows. For instance, I seriously doubt that stuff like "The Adventures of Pete & Pete", "Ren & Stimpy", or "Are You Afraid of the Dark" could easily get on the air today because they're too "unique".

It seems like most of the shows (particularly live-action) follow the same formula. Most of the schedule seems to be made up of stuff like "iCarly", "Drake & Josh", "Zoey 101", "The Naked Brothers Band" or any other tween, by-the-numbers sitcom of that ilk. There's already any game shows, sci-fi (a la "Space Cases", "The Tomorrow People", "The Secret World of Alex Mack"), "location" based shows (a la "Hey Dude" or "Salute Your Shorts"), sketch comedy (a la "You Can't Do That on Television", "All That", "Roundhouse", or "Welcome Freshmen"), foreign imports (a la "Special Delivery", "Count Duckula", "Danger Mouse", etc.), mystery shows (a la "The Secret Files of Shelby Woo" or "Are You Afraid of the Dark"). etc.

I wish that there was much more variety (and dare I say, risks) beyond the "tweencoms" (the Disney Channel as the same problem, but that's another story for another time) and "Spongebob SquarePants" reruns. Just like with Disney, I fear that Nick's main problem is that they like to play things safe once they for the time being, find a certain formula or trend that works.

Nick seems to want to follow what's currently hip and cool instead of leading the charge. The worst offender is that "TeeNick" program that replaced SNICK.

ekkostar · 11-19-2008, 08:43 AM

I'm getting a little sick of the "I wish Nickelodeon, CN or Disney were like it was back when...". It's meant for children and we grew up quite a while ago. Kids today have a different preference in TV than we do. They like a lot of live action and teenage sitcoms. Besides, that era of underground animators getting network shows is sort of over. We're going through another "Sell out" period in animation right now (Pixar is innovative! HA!) like in the 1980s and I don't know when it's going to change. If it's cheap, stupid and made with Adobe Flash or Computer Generated Imagery software, they're going to produce it.

TMC · 12-01-2008, 01:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ekkostar

I'm getting a little sick of the "I wish Nickelodeon, CN or Disney were like it was back when...". It's meant for children and we grew up quite a while ago. Kids today have a different preference in TV than we do. They like a lot of live action and teenage sitcoms. Besides, that era of underground animators getting network shows is sort of over. We're going through another "Sell out" period in animation right now (Pixar is innovative! HA!) like in the 1980s and I don't know when it's going to change. If it's cheap, stupid and made with Adobe Flash or Computer Generated Imagery software, they're going to produce it.

Then why in the hell did you bother...?

ryan423 · 12-01-2008, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ekkostar

I'm getting a little sick of the "I wish Nickelodeon, CN or Disney were like it was back when...". It's meant for children and we grew up quite a while ago. Kids today have a different preference in TV than we do. They like a lot of live action and teenage sitcoms. Besides, that era of underground animators getting network shows is sort of over. We're going through another "Sell out" period in animation right now (Pixar is innovative! HA!) like in the 1980s and I don't know when it's going to change. If it's cheap, stupid and made with Adobe Flash or Computer Generated Imagery software, they're going to produce it.

I agree. But it doesn't mean we cant love the 80's and 90's cartoons

I think shows like Drake and Josh, although quite funny and an undeniable hit with tweens, don't always set the best examples for children. That's my only problem with today's "kid-friendly" shows.

BTW, I support Roan Montgomery's return to Chuck as well

11-18-2008, 05:03 AM	#1
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 126,903	How Would You Improve Nickelodeon? I think that anybody who grew up in the '80s and '90s like myself, will naturally have issues with the current state of Nickelodeon. I don't have a lot of time to put forth my full feelings about the current situation. However, I'll say that my main concern with Nickelodeon right now, is the lack of creativity with their shows. For instance, I seriously doubt that stuff like "The Adventures of Pete & Pete", "Ren & Stimpy", or "Are You Afraid of the Dark" could easily get on the air today because they're too "unique". It seems like most of the shows (particularly live-action) follow the same formula. Most of the schedule seems to be made up of stuff like "iCarly", "Drake & Josh", "Zoey 101", "The Naked Brothers Band" or any other tween, by-the-numbers sitcom of that ilk. There's already any game shows, sci-fi (a la "Space Cases", "The Tomorrow People", "The Secret World of Alex Mack"), "location" based shows (a la "Hey Dude" or "Salute Your Shorts"), sketch comedy (a la "You Can't Do That on Television", "All That", "Roundhouse", or "Welcome Freshmen"), foreign imports (a la "Special Delivery", "Count Duckula", "Danger Mouse", etc.), mystery shows (a la "The Secret Files of Shelby Woo" or "Are You Afraid of the Dark"). etc. I wish that there was much more variety (and dare I say, risks) beyond the "tweencoms" (the Disney Channel as the same problem, but that's another story for another time) and "Spongebob SquarePants" reruns. Just like with Disney, I fear that Nick's main problem is that they like to play things safe once they for the time being, find a certain formula or trend that works. Nick seems to want to follow what's currently hip and cool instead of leading the charge. The worst offender is that "TeeNick" program that replaced SNICK.

11-19-2008, 08:43 AM	#2
ekkostar Coffee, Tea & Larroquette! Senior Member Join Date: Apr 16, 2005 Posts: 1,077	I'm getting a little sick of the "I wish Nickelodeon, CN or Disney were like it was back when...". It's meant for children and we grew up quite a while ago. Kids today have a different preference in TV than we do. They like a lot of live action and teenage sitcoms. Besides, that era of underground animators getting network shows is sort of over. We're going through another "Sell out" period in animation right now (Pixar is innovative! HA!) like in the 1980s and I don't know when it's going to change. If it's cheap, stupid and made with Adobe Flash or Computer Generated Imagery software, they're going to produce it.
	__________________ "All my sitcoms had an audience, with four or five cameras, so working this way has always been appealing to me." - John Larroquette A living legend, five Emmys and a Tony award! Your favorites could never...