Yes, there are days when it really has been that bad. Hey, I can blame it on my craft. After all, aren't we writers told to watch and read other genres? To get a feel for other writers styles and to "see" what the audience likes. huh? I have to admit, I really am behind on what most people watch on television. I find very little I like and find little or no emotional connection to characters or situations. I am not a prude, but have been thoroughly disappointed on the incredibly low morals television executives think most of society has. Case in point, sorry I don't remember the television series, but I vaguely remember seeing a preview for a new series and thinking it might be something I was interested in because it revolved around paramedics. And heck, I grew up on loving Emergency! However, not even five minutes into the episode, two paramedics are getting it on it the back of the ambulance, and I thinking first, gross, and second wondering who are these characters? I have no emotional connection with them. Why must I watch them having sex in the back of an ambulance without having a least a little backstory? And this is exactly why I love Scarecrow and Mrs. King so much, because we, as the audience, got to watch them slowly fall in love, and not fall into bed five minutes after he handed her a package (which could take a whole new meaning in today's society) at a train station. Needless to say, I turned off the television and read a book instead.
I am also super frustrated that Hollywood has not had an original idea since the 1980's. Why they are remaking all the 80 classic movies? Footloose, Dirty Dancing, Point Break, and don't even get me started on Ghostbusters! In addition, when an original idea is presented Hollywood executives are quick to cut the cord, without giving the television series a chance to find their audience or the show is constantly on the bubble, so writers plan for a 12 or 13 episode arc and then when it is picked up for other 10 or so episodes, some of the magic is gone, or certain writers have moved on, or they are scrambling for a new arc and the series becomes basically a hot mess; i.e. Chuck. To this day, I believe NBC ruined this great series. It had massive amounts of potential to be one of a kind dramedy, a mix of comedy and drama mixed with espionage and intrigue, and romance (sound a little familiar?) But so much uncertainty let us fans down. And by season five, it was just a shell of its original self. I see it too often, a new series airs and less then six episodes later it as been cancelled. I am just not interested in becoming invested in a television series only for it be be yanked when I was just getting to like the characters and developing an emotional connection. Case in point, CBS released a television series titled Chaos, about a group of rogue CIA agents. I have to admit, I thought the pilot was a bit weak-- it tried too hard; however, by week two the writing and characters began to gel, and I started getting a kick out of watching it and looked forward to viewing every week. However, not even three weeks into the series, CBS pulled the plug. Come on! Give it a chance. I mean even Cheers and M*A*S*H did not draw in their audiences until season two. This held true for another series I liked, GCB. I know it wasn't just ABC that killed the series, but a bunch of Christian mothers who never watched the series complained to sponsors. Yes, I did just earlier complain about the over sexualization of Hollywood. However, GCB was funny as hell! And this series didn't take itself seriously. In addition, those of us that are Christian know those types that are the "Ms. Betty Sue whose better that you". Wonderful casting and great writing flushed right down the toilet. And this is exactly why I don't watch Network television anymore. Plus, there is just too much Reality TV, and I have zero interest in watching weekly crap.
Rewind to a conversation I had with a friend a few days ago, who had asked if I was upset Castle had been cancelled. I had to confess, I had not seen the series. Yes, I know all about Caskett. Yes, I love Nathan Fillion. However, I don't think I heard about Castle until at least season two or three. And I don't like to start watching a series in the middle, so have been looking forward to it being on Netflix so I can watch, just as I finally was able to sit down and watch Bones, NCIS, and Burn Notice. Hey, what do they say; better late than never, right?