Why can't HBO find a broad comedy hit? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 01-30-2014, 04:45 PM

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/new...a-broad-674947

"Veep" and "Girls" do okay for the pay cable network, but they don't have the appeal of "Sex and the City" and "Entourage."

Read more at http://www.hitfix.com/tv-tattle#ycuJk8kOWTIWleda.99

yankeesrj12 · 01-30-2014, 10:14 PM

Simple - they are focusing toward a niche group.

I'm pro-gay on nearly every political stance, but people aren't going to watch a series like Looking just because it has gay characters. What's so special about a series like this now? Nothing. Viewers are getting tired of this push for gay characters on television. Putting them on television is a-okay with me, but unless there is another catch besides being gay, people won't care.

For Girls, personally speaking, I find Lena Dunham to be beyond irritating. I've seen an episode or two of the show, and it sucks. I'm not quite sure why critics like her or the show, but I'm thinking its because its on HBO.

Veep may be good, and with likable Julia Louis-Dreyfus at the helm, but I think people are sick of politics. It's always in the news, so do people really want to sit down for 30 minutes and watch a show about it? My guess is no.

Shows like Sex and the City and Entourage had a hook to them, and they were unique for their time. People could sit down for awhile, escape from life, and enjoy them. With their current slate, I don't see that happening.

EmoJoe · 02-01-2014, 01:52 PM

I don't think HBO really gives two ****s about finding a broad comedy hit. They have plenty of blockbuster series with shows like Game of Thrones and True Detective, and Girls and Veep do well enough to justify constant renewals.

Quote:

I'm pro-gay on nearly every political stance, but people aren't going to watch a series like Looking just because it has gay characters. What's so special about a series like this now? Nothing. Viewers are getting tired of this push for gay characters on television. Putting them on television is a-okay with me, but unless there is another catch besides being gay, people won't care.

Not really sure what this means. The catch with Looking isn't that they're gay, it's just that it's a show about characters who happen to be gay. Does every show that features gay characters need to have a "catch"?

yankeesrj12 · 02-01-2014, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EmoJoe

Not really sure what this means. The catch with Looking isn't that they're gay, it's just that it's a show about characters who happen to be gay. Does every show that features gay characters need to have a "catch"?

And there is nothing unique about the premise. It's four gay characters living in San Francisco. It's cliche. HBO used to think out of the box. Now I think they are just playing it safe.

I'm simply comparing it to the endless Friends rip-offs about six single friends living together. Nothing was unique about those shows, they just tried to duplicate success. With Looking, I think its kind of the same thing. I instantly think of The L Word, but with gay men instead of lesbians.

icecream · 02-01-2014, 05:28 PM

HBO and Showtime are nothing but smut networks, I'm not interested in any originals they produce.

bencasey · 02-01-2014, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catsrule

HBO and Showtime are nothing but smut networks, I'm not interested in any originals they produce.

Good to have an open mind.

James28 · 02-01-2014, 09:46 PM

HBO's Looking -- a "niche show". Are all "niche shows" boring? Is "niche" stuff boring?

Mr. Television · 02-01-2014, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James28

HBO's Looking -- a "niche show". Are all "niche shows" boring? Is "niche" stuff boring?

Most of them.

EmoJoe · 02-02-2014, 01:46 AM

Lol how is a niche show boring? A niche show simply means they are tailored to a specific audience. That's it. How does that make a show "boring"?

James28 · 02-02-2014, 02:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EmoJoe

Lol how is a niche show boring? A niche show simply means they are tailored to a specific audience. That's it. How does that make a show "boring"?

It'll be difficult for the "niche show" to reach a mass audience, that how. I'm not saying it needs to reach a mass audience.

UMFaninMD · 02-02-2014, 02:34 PM

It looks to me that HBO and most of the cable channels are focusing on their adult-oriented dramas because that's what getting the most press and the most viewers from a wide range of backgrounds. Not every show needs to appeal to the mainstream but at the same time, they should support and promote programs that can reach that niche audience who doesn't want to see the latest dragon and sword drama or crime thriller. But they have to be good. From what I've seen of Girls, it just doesn't seem to have staying power and the actresses are annoying. Perhaps making comedies with likable characters is a start.

EmoJoe · 02-02-2014, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James28

It'll be difficult for the "niche show" to reach a mass audience, that how. I'm not saying it needs to reach a mass audience.

A niche show reaching a mass audience would sort of defeat the purpose.

Pretty soon all of TV is going to be niche TV. Hell, every show on TV now *is* a niche show compared to the ratings of 15-20 years ago.

Quote:

Originally Posted by UMFaninMD

It looks to me that HBO and most of the cable channels are focusing on their adult-oriented dramas because that's what getting the most press and the most viewers from a wide range of backgrounds. Not every show needs to appeal to the mainstream but at the same time, they should support and promote programs that can reach that niche audience who doesn't want to see the latest dragon and sword drama or crime thriller. But they have to be good. From what I've seen of Girls, it just doesn't seem to have staying power and the actresses are annoying. Perhaps making comedies with likable characters is a start.

Girls is a hit. It got renewed for a fourth season before Season 3 even started airing. It may not do huge live numbers, but it's a hit for HBO. Big, broad hits aren't HBO's game.

lucy&vivfan · 02-02-2014, 10:58 PM

This season of "Girls" so far has been bland and uneventful. "Looking" just doesn't feel right. Weak scripts, no point and just sex talk.

broadmoor · 02-03-2014, 01:03 PM

From what I've seen of HBO when housesitting for my sister, I wouldn't pay a single penny to have the network. Heck, I'd be more inclined to pay just to 'not' have the channel. Their series seem to sport some of the most viscerally unappealing characters I've ever encountered in television.

LUNCH · 02-03-2014, 01:19 PM

A few years ago we got a free 3 month preview of HBO,and I found I never watched it. They were a lot better years ago when they only had one channel.Now they have what 10 or more channels that keep repeating the same modern movies over and over again,and whatever else.No thanks. I would not pay a penny for them either.

01-30-2014, 04:45 PM	#1
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 127,254	Why can't HBO find a broad comedy hit? http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/new...a-broad-674947 "Veep" and "Girls" do okay for the pay cable network, but they don't have the appeal of "Sex and the City" and "Entourage." Read more at http://www.hitfix.com/tv-tattle#ycuJk8kOWTIWleda.99

02-01-2014, 05:28 PM	#5
icecream Cat-tastic and Whiskerlicious Forum Celebrity Join Date: Sep 01, 2006 Location: The Catacombs Posts: 20,910	HBO and Showtime are nothing but smut networks, I'm not interested in any originals they produce.
	__________________ Top 200 TV Shows https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...14#post6225214 Top 150 Movies https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...84#post6175384 Top 1100 Scripted TV Characters https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...d.php?t=493306 Top Rookie TV Shows by Calendar Year https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...d.php?t=365017 Top Movies by Calendar Year https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards...d.php?t=473533

02-01-2014, 09:46 PM	#7
James28 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 14, 2007 Posts: 3,995	HBO's Looking -- a "niche show". Are all "niche shows" boring? Is "niche" stuff boring?
	__________________ "When the run of a network TV show has ended, some go out with a bang, some with a whimper, but all are...Future Endeavored." "Stay Safe"? More like "Stay Sad". #2020Hurts

01-30-2014, 10:14 PM	#2
yankeesrj12 Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 09, 2008 Posts: 4,335	Simple - they are focusing toward a niche group. I'm pro-gay on nearly every political stance, but people aren't going to watch a series like Looking just because it has gay characters. What's so special about a series like this now? Nothing. Viewers are getting tired of this push for gay characters on television. Putting them on television is a-okay with me, but unless there is another catch besides being gay, people won't care. For Girls, personally speaking, I find Lena Dunham to be beyond irritating. I've seen an episode or two of the show, and it sucks. I'm not quite sure why critics like her or the show, but I'm thinking its because its on HBO. Veep may be good, and with likable Julia Louis-Dreyfus at the helm, but I think people are sick of politics. It's always in the news, so do people really want to sit down for 30 minutes and watch a show about it? My guess is no. Shows like Sex and the City and Entourage had a hook to them, and they were unique for their time. People could sit down for awhile, escape from life, and enjoy them. With their current slate, I don't see that happening.

02-02-2014, 01:46 AM	#9
EmoJoe Cool cool cool Forum Addict Join Date: Apr 23, 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 71,478	Lol how is a niche show boring? A niche show simply means they are tailored to a specific audience. That's it. How does that make a show "boring"?

02-02-2014, 02:34 PM	#11
UMFaninMD I love a mystery Senior Member Join Date: Apr 19, 2011 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,287	It looks to me that HBO and most of the cable channels are focusing on their adult-oriented dramas because that's what getting the most press and the most viewers from a wide range of backgrounds. Not every show needs to appeal to the mainstream but at the same time, they should support and promote programs that can reach that niche audience who doesn't want to see the latest dragon and sword drama or crime thriller. But they have to be good. From what I've seen of Girls, it just doesn't seem to have staying power and the actresses are annoying. Perhaps making comedies with likable characters is a start.

02-02-2014, 10:58 PM	#13
lucy&vivfan Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jun 01, 2013 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 126	This season of "Girls" so far has been bland and uneventful. "Looking" just doesn't feel right. Weak scripts, no point and just sex talk.

02-03-2014, 01:03 PM	#14
broadmoor Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 10, 2010 Location: texas Posts: 489	From what I've seen of HBO when housesitting for my sister, I wouldn't pay a single penny to have the network. Heck, I'd be more inclined to pay just to 'not' have the channel. Their series seem to sport some of the most viscerally unappealing characters I've ever encountered in television.

02-03-2014, 01:19 PM	#15
LUNCH Member Senior Member Join Date: Oct 23, 2010 Location: New York State Posts: 1,304	A few years ago we got a free 3 month preview of HBO,and I found I never watched it. They were a lot better years ago when they only had one channel.Now they have what 10 or more channels that keep repeating the same modern movies over and over again,and whatever else.No thanks. I would not pay a penny for them either.