Comments on Tube Talk: Aliens in America dead?

Vance, you're absolutely right about people compla...

2008-05-12T09:11:17.331-07:00

Vance, you're absolutely right about people complaining that nothing decent is on, yet when something decent IS on, they don't watch. I don't know how folks can ignore such great shows and watch Deal or No Deal.

WHAT? It's been CANCELLED?I thought Adhir's role o...

2008-05-04T17:56:36.880-07:00

WHAT? It's been CANCELLED?

I thought Adhir's role on Nip/Tuck was a one shot thing.. DAMNIT...

And I hear ya sista. the whole POINT of my blog is to tell everybody about how great shows like Aliens in America, Friday Night Lights, Pushing Daisies are.

I think its time for a rant of my own. I was just commenting to someone else the other day that Im truly annoyed sometimes that people complain about the lack of good tv, yet when you ask them if they watch any of the above shows, they don't even know what they are.

one of my friends has come to me in recent years to tell about GREAT NEW SHOWS! like Arrested Development! Veronica Mars! Six Feet Under! This was after they were cancelled. After I had already told him to watch them for years at that point (but just comes on deaf ears). I just roll my eyes now since I find a lot of people seem to take a LONG time to catch onto the great shows, when its already too late.

People, if you want great shows you have to watch them when they're actually ON TV. Sheesh!

Okay. enough for now. I figure you get me and agree! And don't look blankly at me when I talk about shows like AIA, PD and FNL (and know what I mean when I use those acronyms).

Yes, it's been a while since I went off into a red...

2008-05-02T09:43:30.110-07:00

Yes, it's been a while since I went off into a red-faced rant, but I've had enough! Tim, you're right about the escapist angle, but I REFUSE to pimp or watch shows like The Farmer Wants a Wife.

And thanks for bringing up Studio 60. Salt in the wound, my friend...salt in the wound!

Don't forget that the best comedy ever, Arrested D...

2008-04-30T10:25:09.283-07:00

Don't forget that the best comedy ever, Arrested Development, was cancelled for low ratings, as well. Meanwhile, the moronic "Moment of Truth" and "5th Grader" chalk up boffo ratings. Our country has some stupid, stupid, moronic idiots vegetating in front of the box each night.

Everwood cancelled, while 7th Heaven achieves big numbers? Frankly I'm shocked that The Office found an audience, because it does require the viewer to actually watch and react, instead of simply listening to a laugh-track.

Tim is right about broadcast television. It's rare...

2008-04-29T14:04:09.834-07:00

Tim is right about broadcast television. It's rare to find quality shows there compared to what we're seeing on cable. And when they get one like Aliens, they can't seem to get the ratings to sustain it.

Great column, Jennifer. And you're right, as TV vi...

2008-04-29T14:02:24.212-07:00

Great column, Jennifer. And you're right, as TV viewers we constantly complain about the lack of qaulity shows, yet when it comes to watching shows like this, I'm as guilty as the next guy of not doing it. (I admit I've watched that dreadful Gladiator show.) You're right...we have no one to blame but ourselves.

Just another example of another quality show that ...

2008-04-29T13:59:59.064-07:00

Just another example of another quality show that can't find an audience. I like Gossip Girl, too, but I appreciated Aliens as a "smart" show, something GG is not.

Are you kidding me? It's now painfully clear to me...

2008-04-29T13:58:10.949-07:00

Are you kidding me? It's now painfully clear to me that the CW wants to become simply a teen network. I think Aliens may have worked on FOX better.

Preach it, Tube Talk Girl! I'm so upset this show ...

2008-04-29T13:51:12.697-07:00

Preach it, Tube Talk Girl!

I'm so upset this show is getting canned. You're right about all the promos for Gossip Girl. If I see one more ad for that OMFG campaign, I may scratch my eyes out.

Sadly, I agree with Tim. People are choosing escapist TV that doesn't make them tahink or "confront stereotypes." But, Jen, I, like you, don't understand why a show can't be escapism, funny and intelligent. Therein, seems to lie the problem. I refuse to watch this farmer show I heard you talking about on the radio a few weeks ago. But, it will probably be a ratings hit.

(I loved Studio 60 too.)

Wow, it's been quite some time since we've been tr...

2008-04-29T13:27:54.860-07:00

Wow, it's been quite some time since we've been treated to a TTG Red-Faced Rant. I enjoyed that, and I have some thoughts in response.

First, full disclosure, I've never watched 'Aliens in America'. Also, I am a big fan of 'Gossip Girl', and I'm not ashamed of that. Blake Lively is lovely. But, TTG, I think you know that I like 'smart' television, and I fear the dumbing down of our culture as much as anyone.

With all of that being said, I think you're forgetting one thing. TV is escapist. For many people, television is a way to distract themselves from the rigor of day-to-day life. People don't want to confront stereotypes or have their beliefs challenged. They want to watch pretty people live lives that they'll never know.

I appreciate what the writers of 'Aliens in America' were trying to do. We need to understand that muslims are not the enemy. But that's a tough sell in middle-America. If Joe Six Pack, confirmed xenophobe, has a choice between having his convictions challenged or watching a farmer date ten hot women, what do you think he's going to choose? He IS the farmer. That's HIS fantasy.

There is no answer, unfortunately. People like you and I will just have to go on mourning the loss of the 'Aliens in America' and 'Studio 60's of the world.

Thankfully, we have cable and satellite, because broadcast tv will never be the higher art form we long for.