I’m constantly amazed when I see the weekly television ratings. I don’t understand how really good shows with interesting stories and characters lag behind some of the garbage out there. While I’m a Survivor fan, some of the reality shows have gotten ridiculously stupid. And they garner better ratings than shows like Friday Night Lights, Supernatural and Veronica Mars. Is it that when people sit down in front of the TV, they actually look for mindless drivel? I understand needing the escapist quality of television, but can’t people enjoy that while watching something that remotely has a plot?
I can sort of understand the lower ratings for Supernatural and Veronica Mars because they’re on the CW, a channel that not everyone gets across the country. And some people might avoid the network because it’s targeted at a younger demographic. Okay, I’m not a teenager anymore, and I love the programming I watch on the CW. But Friday Night Lights is on NBC and it’s about high school football and its importance in West Texas. You’d think this would play well with the heart of America. It’s got interesting characters — good and bad. I just want to give Matt Saracen (on the far right of the picture below) a hug and smack pushy car salesman Mr. Garrity upside the head. And Tyler Kitsch, who plays running back Tim Riggins — after seeing him in The Covenant, he became the model for the secondary hero in the YA I just wrote. That’s him in the back on the left.
So, why do you think some good shows don’t draw the audience they should while mindless drivel garners higher ratings, ensuring those lesser-quality shows survival while putting the better material in danger of cancellation before their stories run their course?
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Whedonverse Quote of the Day:
“So, how was your summer? Mine was fun. Saw some fish, went mad with hunger, hallucinated a whole bunch.” — Angel
October 25th, 2006 at 9:00 am
Trish, I’m with you on not understanding television ratings. I love Friday Night Lights, but am worried that it’s in danger of being pulled. The stories are dynamic, moving, realistic. I’m still praying folks will grab onto it.
Having good shows pulled is disheartening to those viewers who tune in. In fact, my middle daughter is leery of watching new shows because she’s had several of her favorites pulled in the past couple of years.
As for folks wanting to watch drivel, you may be right. After a hard day or hectic day, maybe it’s easier to sit and veg in front of a silly show. However, nothing is better than laughing or crying along with your favorite characters, enjoying a short hour spent with them. Touching base like old friends.
October 25th, 2006 at 10:38 am
Friday football at our local High School, College football all day Saturday, Pro Football all day Sunday, Monday Night Football and replays on the NFL Network pretty much takes care of my football needs.
Those of us that have a little money watch movies on our satellite dish networks without all those bothersome ads our local channels inflict on us.
October 25th, 2006 at 2:56 pm
Well, at the risk of being smacked - I’m going to admit I’ve never watched Friday Night Lights. I’m not a big football fan - and get enough of the high school drama from my kids. Plus - I’m not sure what night it’s on - but I know we have something else we usually watch during that same time. Probably one of those mindless things? LOL. I might have to give this show a shot though beings everybody seems to like it so much.
I know I was really enjoying that show Vanished - and it looks like it’s not going to make it as well.
October 25th, 2006 at 4:39 pm
Welcome back, Trish! Missed you! Hear from Mary your book ROCKS. Can’t wait to be able to read it myself.
I haven’t watched Friday Night Lights because the storylines didn’t appeal to me…but I know exactly what you’re talking about, because I’m hearing the same problems about Studio 60–which YOUR show is taking the place of next week! >:(
Seriously, though, there are only two new shows that are breaking the top 20–Shark, which I think is pretty weak, and Ugly Betty, which is ok but I’d do without. Since lots of my favorite smart, well-written, well-acted shows have been canceled over the years, too, I have decided it is because there are more stupid people who want mindless drivel than there are smart people who want smart shows.
Generally speaking.
October 25th, 2006 at 4:52 pm
LOL. I’m going to have to start paying Mary to be my PR person when I get published.
I went through the whole thing with a show I watched being canceled last year with Invasion. I still want to know what the writers had planned for that show.
October 27th, 2006 at 11:50 am
I haven’t watched Friday Night Lights, either, though I like Kyle whatsits. I’m not so much into the football or the teenager thing. Is it on opposite VM? Actually, though I watch Supernatural, I tape it, since it’s on opposite Grey’s.
October 29th, 2006 at 6:01 pm
Mary, FNL is on an hour before VM, at 7 p.m. Central. Though this next week, they’re showing it at 9 p.m. Monday. I hope that’s not a precursor to killing it altogether.