You Say You Want a Revolution....

America is not ready for really good tv. Now, I'd like you to think about this sentence, as I follow it to it's natural conclusion. I was just recently ruminating over this. And I was thinking about some of my favorite shows of all time. These include, but are not limited to; 30 Rock, Arrested Development, Firefly, Farscape, John Doe among others. have you ever just heard a person complain about the state of TV these days? I mean, most people do, there are too many reality shows, too much trashy tv, etc...etc. Well, you know why they put on all that crap? Because people watch it! Gasp! It's not that insane to think that people run what they think will get ratings and will run things that they know people will like. If you think about the shows that I've listed about (all of which other than 30 Rock, are canceled), you will see some of the best TV shows that have been on in the last ten years. Now, you may disagree, but how many shows do you know that have survived simply on the basis that 'the critics like them'. You don't have to be a certain type of show to get a good grade from a critic, but these are shows that the critics actually watch. Not something they have to watch for the job, or something that other people are watching. The best example that I can think of is Arrested Development. I can pretty much assure you that if you watched Arrested Development, then immediately fell in love with the writing, the acting and the humor. There was toilet humor for the kids, and a more sophisticated type of humor for adults (no matter what age you are). However, it was canceled after only three seasons (which is actually a pretty good run, considering some of the shows that I mentioned above). It was stylish, interesting, and always hilarious, and yet people would just not tune in. This is partly the fault of the network, who will switch times, preempt programs, and basically do everything within it's power to disrupt the show; but it's also the fault of the viewers, who wouldn't even watch the show. So while good shows are being canceled left and right, people are tuning in to season after season of Big Brother, and that show where Flava Flav picks a girlfriend. So, if you're not read for good television, then don't whine and complain when we get another season of the Biggest Loser, and your favorite show gets cancelled.