The Sad State Of Television

[jasonbigley]

I want to express why I think that today's current TV programming is in a sad state. I remember years ago (back in the '80s and '90s), there was much more variety on the line ups. The programming back then was a bit cleaner. I remember on Friday nights on ABC (the TGIF line up), we had all these family shows. I felt like they were apart of my family and even today, they still feel like apart of my family. I am a 22 year old male and sometimes I feel like an outsider for watching older shows, but I don't care. The older shows make me feel good inside. The programming thats on now makes me sick. These are not family shows and most of these new characters have rotten personalities. I am also very sick of the same constant programming played repeatedly. I miss cable somewhat, but it would be a big waste of money today. I am so glad that DVD's are being made. If I had children today, I would definantly not let them watch prime time because I feel these shows are not for children to watch as a family. When I watch old promos and old shows on YouTube, sometimes I drop a tear from my eye because I miss this quality of programming so much.

[Chocoholic]

There's absolutely no morals on TV anymore. Anything goes nowadays. I won't be surprised if we see porn or hear the F-word on broadcast TV in a few years ;( There is also way too much violence and murder on TV too.

[MickeyMac]

Frankly I think good television has been on the decline since the mid 70's.

[comicbookwriter]

Originally Posted by jasonbigley

I want to express why I think that today's current TV programming is in a sad state. I remember years ago (back in the '80s and '90s), there was much more variety on the line ups. The programming back then was a bit cleaner. I remember on Friday nights on ABC (the TGIF line up), we had all these family shows. I felt like they were apart of my family and even today, they still feel like apart of my family. I am a 22 year old male and sometimes I feel like an outsider for watching older shows, but I don't care. The older shows make me feel good inside. The programming thats on now makes me sick. These are not family shows and most of these new characters have rotten personalities. I am also very sick of the same constant programming played repeatedly. I miss cable somewhat, but it would be a big waste of money today. I am so glad that DVD's are being made. If I had children today, I would definantly not let them watch prime time because I feel these shows are not for children to watch as a family. When I watch old promos and old shows on YouTube, sometimes I drop a tear from my eye because I miss this quality of programming so much.

Try being 34 years old and growing up with classic shows in reruns on UHF channels (Bonanza, Wild Wild West, Gunsmoke, Rat Patrol, Gilligan's Island, I Love Lucy, Honeymooners, etc.) and then having great TV on the prime time hours (Cosby Show, 3s Company, Cheers, Wonderful World of Disney, Family
Ties, Different Strokes, Good Times, All in the Family, Facts of Life, etc.) and watching the slow steady decline over the years.

The 1990s were my cut off point. When The Cosby Show ended, I swear it felt like TV became a meaner and more cynical place. Families were replaced by groups of friends who only cared about sex (the 90s NBC lineup on Thursdays) and dramas all became about police and crime and the dark side of life.

Science-fiction shows (mainly Star Trek) kept me feeling entertained and enlightened, but I rarely found things to laugh at after 1998 or so. Now, Family Guy keeps me entertained (its a mean-spirited show, but I love the 80s pop culture references) and even that turns me off sometimes.

I honestly hope that the economic crisis might cause a collapse of channels and we get to there being more shared experiences as a culture. Right now, TV is too fragmented and younger kids have no idea what entertainment is really about.

CBW

[rsandcm1]

I read an article one time and I agree with it 100%. It said that back in the 1970s and the 1980s, it was exciting to people on tv series to cross the dirty and crude line. But now we have crossed it and are way past. We have to slowly make our way back to the family-friendly side.

[TV-aholic]

There are still plenty of good TV shows on TV, but the basic premise is true.

I think the main reason for the decline was the ruling that allowed the Networks to Own their shows. Now they keep bad shows on the air, long past their prime, for the sole reason of more episodes in syndication. '

Just look at ABC, According to Jim and Scrubs should have ended a long time ago, but they keep producing the low rated, out dated comedies only to get more syndication dollars.

I bet NBC will do the same with My Name is Earl next season. The audience has left the series, but it will hit full syndication this fall. NBC will want to continue producing episodes to feed more money through syndication..

I don't think it is an accident that CBS is the ratings leader. Right Now, they have the more diverse lineup, as far as different production studios.

[Robert 13]

Originally Posted by jasonbigley

The older shows make me feel good inside. The programming thats on now makes me sick.

Yeah, I feel the same way. I don't have cable either and I rarely ever watch live tv anymore. When I have, I didn't walk away with a good feeling. There is way too much violence on tv now. It's not easy to sit through. But there are also those that think what we find "quality tv" is lame and boring. I just don't find it healthy to absorb myself in a show that brings out bad feelings. The message I get from tv these days is "let's watch someone get ridiculed" and "let's see how pitiful someone will sink". It's sad that people really want to see other people become defeated. I do miss the old-school family sitcoms (however cliche the storylines may have become) and I also miss the reruns. TV wouldn't be so bad if some channels aired some classics. Those are hard to come by now in my area.

[gidgetgrape]

Why does almost every teenager have to dress like she's 27 and be "on the edge?" Don't teenagers go to school, have first crushes and get zits anymore?

[TryN2BGood]

Yes tv today is awful.... even the commericals are pushing it!!

[Goldilocks]

Originally Posted by comicbookwriter

Try being 34 years old and growing up with classic shows in reruns on UHF channels (Bonanza, Wild Wild West, Gunsmoke, Rat Patrol, Gilligan's Island, I Love Lucy, Honeymooners, etc.) and then having great TV on the prime time hours (Cosby Show, 3s Company, Cheers, Wonderful World of Disney, Family
Ties, Different Strokes, Good Times, All in the Family, Facts of Life, etc.) and watching the slow steady decline over the years.

The 1990s were my cut off point. When The Cosby Show ended, I swear it felt like TV became a meaner and more cynical place. Families were replaced by groups of friends who only cared about sex (the 90s NBC lineup on Thursdays) and dramas all became about police and crime and the dark side of life.

Science-fiction shows (mainly Star Trek) kept me feeling entertained and enlightened, but I rarely found things to laugh at after 1998 or so. Now, Family Guy keeps me entertained (its a mean-spirited show, but I love the 80s pop culture references) and even that turns me off sometimes.

I honestly hope that the economic crisis might cause a collapse of channels and we get to there being more shared experiences as a culture. Right now, TV is too fragmented and younger kids have no idea what entertainment is really about.

CBW

Well said, comicbookwriter! But try being 40-something and growing up with classics like MASH, the Courtship of Eddie's Father, Love American Style, The Partridge Family, The Waltons, Little House on the Prairie, Gunsmoke...and these weren't in re-runs yet when I was a child. They were primetime! Heck, even All in the Family was considered a bit "risque" when it first appeared.

You're right, in the 90's, the families were replaced by groups of friends who care about nothing but sex. A definite decline.

That's why I watch The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet any chance I get! Thank God for DVD's and cable channels who still have the intelligence to air the classics.

[Raisingdad2004]

I read an article today that expressed much of your sentiments.

It pointed out that the 'sitcom' isn't dead, people are watching more comedy than ever before - in syndication. They're watching shows like Home Improvement, Roseanne, Everybody Loves Raymond. People still want family shows and because networks aren't providing, they're watching old shows instead.

You can read it here: http://www.rbr.com/tv-cable/14460.html

The only family show around I think is Two and a Half Men, and as much as I enjoy that show, it's about a family but is far from family-friendly.

If networks would realize a multi-camera family sitcom is what most people want, they'd be out of this rut.

[TVFactFan]

Well There is a nice Workplace Comedy on ABC called Better Off Ted

But Not sure if ABC will rename BETTER OFF DEAD

[Classicshowsgurl15]

Originally Posted by jasonbigley

I want to express why I think that today's current TV programming is in a sad state. I remember years ago (back in the '80s and '90s), there was much more variety on the line ups. The programming back then was a bit cleaner. I remember on Friday nights on ABC (the TGIF line up), we had all these family shows. I felt like they were apart of my family and even today, they still feel like apart of my family. I am a 22 year old male and sometimes I feel like an outsider for watching older shows, but I don't care. The older shows make me feel good inside. The programming thats on now makes me sick. These are not family shows and most of these new characters have rotten personalities. I am also very sick of the same constant programming played repeatedly. I miss cable somewhat, but it would be a big waste of money today. I am so glad that DVD's are being made. If I had children today, I would definantly not let them watch prime time because I feel these shows are not for children to watch as a family. When I watch old promos and old shows on YouTube, sometimes I drop a tear from my eye because I miss this quality of programming so much.

Yeah i'm an 18 year old female and I agree with you. I love all the classic shows. There was more variety and the shows were cleaner. I know a lot of poeple my age don't watch most of the shows that I do, but I still love the shows and will always watch them. It's sad that TV is the way it is now.

Why does almost every teenager have to dress like she's 27 and be "on the edge?" Don't teenagers go to school, have first crushes and get zits anymore?

I agree! All the shows now that are about teens have gossip and they are always so glamorized. Can't you have them go through normal teenage situations anymore?

[dakert]

Thank goodness there are plenty of good 50s-70s shows on DVD!

[James]

Originally Posted by jasonbigley

I want to express why I think that today's current TV programming is in a sad state. I remember years ago (back in the '80s and '90s), there was much more variety on the line ups. The programming back then was a bit cleaner. I remember on Friday nights on ABC (the TGIF line up), we had all these family shows. I felt like they were apart of my family and even today, they still feel like apart of my family. I am a 22 year old male and sometimes I feel like an outsider for watching older shows, but I don't care. The older shows make me feel good inside. The programming thats on now makes me sick. These are not family shows and most of these new characters have rotten personalities. I am also very sick of the same constant programming played repeatedly. I miss cable somewhat, but it would be a big waste of money today. I am so glad that DVD's are being made. If I had children today, I would definantly not let them watch prime time because I feel these shows are not for children to watch as a family. When I watch old promos and old shows on YouTube, sometimes I drop a tear from my eye because I miss this quality of programming so much.