Why 1994-95 Was One of Network TV’s Last Truly Great Seasons

[TMC]

http://www.vulture.com/2014/08/1994-...s-graphic.html

By Josef Adalian

Network TV these days is often used not as a descriptor, but as an epithet: “Oh, that show’s not bad for network TV.” “I can’t believe they gave all those Emmy Awards to network TV shows.” “Who cares about the new fall shows on network TV? When does The Walking Dead come back?” As another television season gets underway this month, broadcast TV finds itself diminished, still enormously profitable, still possessing big hits — and yet struggling to stay culturally relevant in a world where programming choices have become seemingly limitless and platforms of distribution dizzyingly diverse. The Big Four networks — ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox — are hardly dead, and they might not even be dying. They have, however, become shadows of their former selves, gods of the media universe now made flesh. It was not always thus, of course. In fact, it’s not hard to make the case that we’re not far removed from a golden age of network television that rivaled the much-acclaimed run premium cable has been enjoying in recent years.

[mets82]

Just read this article before logging on here. I mean its a great article. I will say that if someone was to truly look, maybe there were more great seasons since 1994-95 but you cant argue it, at least from NBC's perspective. ER, Seinfeld and Friends.

[Frenky]

Interesting article, especially with demo chart, but ABC had great 2004-05 season - Desperate Housewives, Lost and Grey's Anatomy.

[tlc38tlc38]

Everything was better in the 90s.

[tooltime1987]

Season 4 of "Home Improvement" was the best season of the series!!!

[waichingliu81]

Originally Posted by tlc38tlc38

Everything was better in the 90s.

here here. the 90s was arguably one of the best decades for sitcoms on the major networks.

[mets82]

You could make that same argument for the 80s as well.

[Yong Fang]

I think now in 2014, television is wonderful because of the choices that are available. How many entertainment networks are there now? There is the Big Four networks, plus stations (for lack of a better word) like AMC, TV Land and hosts and hosts of other channels and networks showing first run shows and over 60 years worth of reruns, not to mention the internet.

I mean, now, one does not have to "rush" home to catch their favorite program, just watch it online at your convenience. That is something that even in the 1990's or even the early 00's seemed farfetched.

This is a Golden Age of communication and media.

[MrCleveland]

I do think the 90's was FAR better than today, not because of technology, but because of standards.

If I was to weed-out what was bad in my life in the 90's, I would have only 10% of weeds in there.

I feel that 1996 was the last great year. We didn't have E/I, McDonald's every night, spare the rod and let the Government spoil your kid, 500 stations and nothing good on, people going out and talking to each other, or anything like that.

By 1997...things seemed different to me!