This is a topic that I'll expand upon, but I believe that the emergence of reality television over the past several years is one of the chief reasons that television writing has suffered. Sure there are well written successful new shows, some of which I enjoy immensely such as
Medium,
Jericho,
Heroes, and even
Eureka on
SciFi. But I wonder if actors are being allowed to fail on middling shows, from which they'll emerge in the future as better actors.
I blame reality television for this because there are only so many slots for new primetime shows, and with Americans gravitating to game shows like Deal or No Deal and glorified audition tapes like American Idol, we're losing out on the season or two of something else where tomorrow's next superstar cut her teeth.
The irony is that Survivor, the granddaddy of 21st century reality television, arose from the ashes of a Screen Actors Guild strike. And the television set hasn't been the same since.
I suspect many TV viewers would disagree with me. Reality television is incredibly popular, and it's even easier for production companies to sell more advertising with product placements (though using a brand of worms for the gross-out shows was a missed selling opportunity, if you ask me). So, in the mode of giving the customers what they want, perhaps it's a case of no harm no foul. But then I watch a show like SciFi Investigates (which sucks) and see reality show alum Rob Mariano and I realize that it's just another example of a no-talent wannabe taking a job away from someone who's paid his or her dues. He's the most qualified "skeptic" they could find? What a crock!
Reality television is taking jobs away from actors and writers.
Good television shows are still being written, but the average shows are being shelved. That's what's missing. We're getting middling reality shows of people we'd not talk to at a bar if they bought us a drink instead of allowing people with talent and dreams to get somewhere with their lives.
I know I'm a little odd at times, but I have to admit I really enjoy a silly little show on the Sci Fi channel. Perhaps it's because of my family genetics, but I love Eureka, which is premiering its third season on Tuesday. From the infectious opening theme to the delightfully off-center characters in the town full of scientists and geniuses, I look forward to the whole thing. Even the new line of commercials that parody home shopping shows are clever. And I usually hate commercials that I've seen over and over again.