Recently, I did my selection of likely
Emmy Winners for the Drama category. As I was doing it, I came to a realization. Not a single one of the many great shows that were likely to be nominated this year were similar. All of them were different in style, period, attitude, and storyline. The fact that I could sit there and think long and hard, and still not be able to call the many great dramas of this year similar is a remarkable thing. One that demonstrates how the TV of this period is pushing boundaries TV has never pushed before and asking questions that television is uniquely suited to ask, trying things and creating great things as a result. It is something of a television Golden Age that we are going through and here is why...
5. Were Encouraging Quality and Punishing Crap
Yes, I know that for every
Boardwalk Empire, theres a dozen reality shows that also get high ratings. But nobody is looking at those reality shows and staring in awe like they are with
Boardwalk Empire. The fact that it and shows like it are quality shows has been noted time and time again. And everywhere, theyre appreciated. With huge fanbases, dozens of awards, larger production budgets, were telling people that yes, you should make the best thing can and well be happy to watch it.
The Sopranos is really what started this trend of great television as a show that at the time it began, was considered strange compared to the type of television we were used to. But it drew audiences in and producers began to realize that here was a great chance to take risks, to try, and if they were lucky, reap massive results. I find it very telling that of the many serious dramas attempted this year, the only ones that didnt become successful were those of genuinely low quality, like the very dismal
Mad Men rip off,
The Playboy Club. All shows that were considered by critics and fan to be good were at least somewhat successful. And that is a welcome change from the past, where one excellent show after another was cancelled in favor of more generic material, because those shows couldnt find their audience. There will always be
Jersey Shores in this world, but at least we arent actively encouraging them anymore.