USA Today says that fall was a big waste of time for the broadcast networks, which managed to launch just two successful series—CBS’ “The Mentalist” and Fox’s “Fringe”—and held back some of the shows viewers want to see most until midseason. One problem this fall was an over-reliance on imported series. “This willingness to base U.S. schedules on foreign ratings reflects both a laziness and a lack of confidence among network executives. TV works better when it’s run by people who have faith in their own taste and judgment—even if that faith is misplaced,” the paper says.
—Jon Lafayette
What Fall Season?
Nov 11, 2008 • Post A Comment
Instead of this reason: “This willingness to base U.S. schedules on foreign ratings reflects both a laziness and a lack of confidence among network executives.” Try this:…there’s a lack of creativity.
It’s much easier to take a posh press-the-flesh, “Hey Howareya? Let’s have lunch/dinner/drinks” business trip overseas in order to grab some a** while grabbing creative ideas off the BBC, Arte, Canal Plus, etc. Then, with “fresh ideas” in hand, they find their way back home, where they’re changed just a little bit, then sold as, fresh, sassy and unique ideas, “I came up with.”
Like our attention spans – Television is a ‘new for a moment, now what’s next?’ BUSINESS, not a solid story telling machine. “Our” people are good business/marketing “Hey Howareya?” people and “their” people are still good story tellers.
You want something “new?” – It’s a no-brainer where to go.