Broadcast TV vs. Cable unfair matchup?

Stravo · Post by **Stravo** » 2004-01-14 01:11pm

For years now as shows like the Sopranos and Six Feet Under sweep through the emmys and other shows get such positive feedback and buzz from critics and fans and the broadcast networks canned repsonse to the inevitbale comparisons in quality is that cable doesn't have to deal with advertising issues and that they are free to show raw sex and curse.

So, the broadcast networks are essentially saying that the shows are successful BECAUSE they curse and show sex?

There's the reason why broadcast TV shows are a fucking wasteland to me. However the broadcast networks need to look at their own succeses. NYPD Blue in its earlier seasons with great WRITING and good STORIES was a great show, same with the West Wing, you know when the STORIES were good.
Also, there are plenty of cable shows that were heavy on the language and sex and sucked much ass...Mind of the Married Man, Queer as Folk, etc.

The question boils down to do you agree with the Broadcast Networks that cable has an unfair advantage over broadcast TV or are they just whining because of a stunning lack of originality?

Post by **Ghost Rider** » 2004-01-14 01:14pm

Broadcast is bitching and whining. Sex and profanity do not make a show. It can enhances certain gritty characteristics but a decent show survives on it's writing and acting, not whether or not they show a man's ass or say shit.

Post by **haas mark** » 2004-01-14 01:20pm

On QaF (as per American QaF, that is), it does have subtle hints about teaching people life lessons, you know. For example, throughout at least half of season 2 going into season three, there is a huge thing about relationships with people with AIDS. There is also the issue of a woman being looked down upon by her family being a lesbian and not being scared to show it. From season 1 forward, there are lessons about gay bashing and such. Lessons about perserverence to achieve goals in life. Defining oneself. There is actually a lot more to that show than people like to credit (especially their condonement of safe sex).

Yeah, it has sappy storylines, but it can be worth watching for other reasons. Besides, look at the majority of the population and tell me that they actually look for a good storyline.

~ver

Stravo · Post by **Stravo** » 2004-01-14 01:24pm

Sorry about harping on a show you like Ver but everytime I've flipped through the channels and come up on Queer as folk there's two sweaty guys going at each other and its colored my view of that show. So when I criticize that show I need to add that I have never really watched a full episode.

Post by **haas mark** » 2004-01-14 01:29pm

Stravo wrote:Sorry about harping on a show you like Ver but everytime I've flipped through the channels and come up on Queer as folk there's two sweaty guys going at each other and its colored my view of that show. So when I criticize that show I need to add that I have never really watched a full episode.

It's understandable.. I am only semi-interested in the show myself, but I am just pointing out that that particular show does actually have values. As for the others, I cannot really say anything, as I don't watch them (the only QaF I've seen is on DVD anyhow).

~ver

The Kernel · Post by **The Kernel** » 2004-01-14 01:34pm

I haven't watched any network TV (aside from the occassional channel flip) for a very long time. The reason being that they simply do not take any risks anymore. Everything has to emulate a successful show, which of course become grating when every show on television doesn't do a damn thing new or original.

Think about the super-successful cable shows for a sec. Sopranos, South Park, others that I can't think of at the moment, they all took risks by creating something truly original, not just copying some pre-existing formula. THAT is what makes cable shows better, not the trappings of sex and profanity.

Tsyroc · Post by **Tsyroc** » 2004-01-14 01:45pm

I think there are a few good shows on broadcast tv.

I like Without a Trace and it doesn't really go into the sex/swearing angle. At least not every episode and certainly not to the extent that cable shows do. It's a good entertaining show but that's about it.

Now, I have liked Buffy TVS and Firefly and while neither shows skin or sex in quite the way a cable show can they have pushed what's airable on network tv. Especially a few episodes of Buffy where she was going at it with Riley or Spike. A lot of the time the only thing leaving things to the imagination was the sheet that covered them.

As for NYPD Blue. When it started it did have sex & swearing on it. Much more than it did the last season I was able to watch it. Still, the main thing was that it was a well written show.

I don't know if any of you remember some of HBO's old "get nudity on late because were cable" shows. First and 10, Dream On and I think The Hitcher was on HBO.

I've only seen one or two episodes of First & 10 and The Hitcher and they both had nudity in them. Now, I've seen quite a few episodes of Dream On and it was a pretty good show despite the stupid premise of the guy flashing to old black & white clips from his childhood. It did have some sex and nudity from time to time but mostly it was an adult oriented comedy. I dont' remember it being vulgar but the "F" word did get used ocassionally but only one time that I can remember. Most of the time that show was funny in spite of the tv clips and usually without nudity.

Post by **The Yosemite Bear** » 2004-01-14 02:13pm

Even within Cabal there's differences.

look at SG-1, when it was still running under Showtime, it was one of the best written, internally consistant Sci-Fi shows out there. Now it's recieved the kiss of death and moved to the "Might as well be broadcast" bastards of Sci-Fi channel.

enjoy...

Tsyroc · Post by **Tsyroc** » 2004-01-14 02:21pm

Another thing that HBO has going for it is that it's shows don't have commercial breaks.

I don't have cable anymore but I am finding since my schedule isn't tv friendly that I generally don't watch regular tv shows until they come out on DVD. Even broadcast shows are generally better without commercials. I certainly like watching multiple episodes at a time when I'm enthusiastic about the show and storyline. I don't have to wait until next week or the next month or two. Even better I know that if I am watching it on DVD that it will go at least as long as the DVD's I have.

None of this crap with getting into a show and then having it cancelled for whatever bs reasons they come up with. Network TV is the worst about this. For them it's all about the maximum ratings or maximum ratings per certain demographics. The cable shows know that they don't reach as many people but as long as the shows are pulling enough that people want their channel and watch their channel they are doing well.

theski · Post by **theski** » 2004-01-14 02:31pm

They could never ever put the greatest show on Cable...THE SHIELD on broadcast tv. God I love that show..

Patrick Degan · Post by **Patrick Degan** » 2004-01-15 05:55am

Hardly makes much of a difference since, with few exceptions, just about all TV is shit these days.

CDiehl · Post by **CDiehl** » 2004-01-15 11:20pm

I think that network people need to stop whining about what an unfair advantage cable has, and make and keep on the air better shows. People will watch a well-made, interesting show with nothing objectional in it as readily as they will a well-made, interesting show full of sex, violence and profanity. The networks need to stop the herd mentality of aping whatever becomes popular, and just try as many different kinds of shows as possible, knowing some will stick to the wall. The key is for the executives to put on shows they really like, and have enough faith in them to keep them on for a season or two. Even if they do badly, they can still be put in syndication or on cable, and they might build up a fan base there. They might also look into more limited-run shows, shows that will go a particular number of episodes or seasons. Let a beloved show go out while it's on top, and leave the audience wanting more instead of burning out. If network execs did these things instead of scapegoating cable for doing taking a chance, people would come back to their shows.

kojikun · Post by **kojikun** » 2004-01-15 11:23pm

QAF has changed alot from Season 1. In S1 it was very focused on sex, now in S3 it's rare that you'll even see bare ass for more than a few seconds.