Smart tv. Does it exist? Can it?
We live in a time where reality television has outplayed, outwit and outlasted nearly every other type of programming. A scroll through a typical evening’s cable offerings tell us we could have a window into nearly any kind of reality we want. Want to watch people battle nature and human instinct? People decorating homes? Celebrities dancing? Hopeful young wannabes singing their hearts out? Love on the small screen? Million dollar homes, bachelors, engagements? It’s all there for your viewing pleasure.
Think back to what you watched on television when you were a kid, or what your parents watched. What did you all watch together? Yes, there were shows that featured celebrities, certainly talent, music or comedy – but these were evening offerings, hosted by beloved and talented hosts. There was programming for children, game shows, evening dramas. Yet, somehow, it has grown exponentially as we demand more and more choice, scandal and access to lifestyles we think we should be lusting after.
But where is the smart television? Where are the shows that make us think, make us laugh with lines that we will remember for days, if not weeks? Where are the shows that will move us, challenge us, make us think? Even many news outlets are depending on celebrity headlines and Hollywood happenings to liven up their newscasts. Celebrities have certainly always attracted the eye of the camera, the reporter, but the air of it has changed. People used to idolize, and if anything, assign more glamour to celebrities.
Now we want to watch them all fall from the stage, the pedestal or – even better – the limo. It is the ridiculous that makes us happy, the outlandish, the abject humiliation in a terribly human moment.
I have loved shows that have a quickness to them, something that made me sit up and take notice. Many of them have come and gone, and while not all were completely redeemable, they shared a common element – writing and storylines that made me think. They had language and emotion that inspired me or challenged something I may have previously thought. Or they had humour that was sharp or surprising.
Now every time I hear of a new show coming out, all I can think is Dear God, please make it smart. I recently heard Katie Couric speak at BlogHer ’12 in NYC and as she spoke of her new show “Katie” I kept my hopes high. I will keep my fingers crossed. Will her background in hard news give her a fresh perspective on what we want to see in daytime television? Will her appearance and insight shared in the Miss Representation documentary inform her programming? One can only wait and see.
Anderson Cooper made the move to daytime television last year. Did he achieve smart television with his newly renamed show Anderson Live? Or is his show merely another version of what we have been seeing for years? I like Anderson Cooper immensely, and again, my hopes were high considering his background. Yet, it hasn’t drawn me as a viewer. What happened?
More frightening is what our children are watching compared to what we watched as kids. Without even discussing the role of television in a young child’s development, have you wondered how reality television is affecting your preteens and teenagers?
Everyone has their own idea of what “smart TV” might look like, or used to look like. I know I have mine.
What is yours? Which shows do you miss terribly?
What shows are you watching now that you have high hopes for?
I think the recent Emmy nominations for Best Drama say it all. No shows on basic cable (CBS/ABC/NBC/FOX) nominated. I miss when even kid/teen shows (Boy Meets World, Family Matters) dealt with serious issues, it was taken seriously and you can learn from it. Now it seems like make them laugh and do it stupidly.
Basically, TV now seems like a bunch of 1-dimensional stereotypes catering to the lowest denominator. You almost wait for shows to de-volve into 1-night stands, innuendos, lame jokes and you feel stupider. But stupid/simple sells more than smart and I wish that wasn’t true.
I have high hopes The Newsroom takes that mantle and runs with it. Game of Thrones is probably the best character drama on TV because the characters are so multi-layered. I also love Treme and Boardwalk Empire. But I wish they weren’t the exception.
Hear, hear. Thanks for your comment! I wish The Newsroom a long and healthy run. Crossing my fingers!
I must admit, I’m a bit of reality show junkie myself *hangs head in shame* but honestly, sometimes I like watching something that doesn’t require my brain to function
That being said, I do miss shows like Seinfeld. Not one comedy has even come close to the hilarity of that show in my opinion. I haven’t seen the Newsroom, but I hear it quite intriguing.
Comedies have changed too, I agree! I remember watching 30 minute comedies ten and twenty years ago that were really funny! Seinfeld, Will & Grace, etc. Nowadays I usually don’t even get past the first five minutes of a half hour show. : (
I watch a LOT of TV. I think if you want “smart TV”, you have to pay more for it – Showtime & HBO have some great shows. The Newsroom comes to mind. I also love Shameless and House of Lies. Though, on network TV, we watch Person of Interest and Scandal.
I am a sucker for reality TV, too – from Kardashians to Flip this House. Sometimes, I want to think – other times, I like to see how other people live or think…or are edited.
My kids still watch commercial-free TV, thankfully.
(did I mention I watch a LOT!? Eesh).
The Newsroom is partially what inspired this post, as well as hearing Katie Couric discuss her new daytime show “Katie” at BlogHer. I want us to expect more, watch it when it appears and encourage those who are making television to deliver!
And The Newsroom, which seems to have met an instant “love/hate” reaction, is just the kind of show I like. It moves fast, makes me think, zings around with lines I’ll remember. Reminds me of The West Wing, which I also loved, and the short-lived Studio 60. So why did it meet with such loathing? Why do some love it?
People hate it? Why?
Aaron Sorkin did The West Wing, too.
I know he did. And I don’t know, in the early days I read a lot of pretty negative stuff about it – but those who love it, seem to love it. I read everything from it being negative towards women, to Sorkin’s style of writing, oh – you name it. If you search for reviews of it, you’ll find posts ready to hack it up. I say, it’s smart and it makes me laugh and think. I’m watching.
Smart television is probably subjective. What I consider entertaining and engaging may make others’ snore. I’m a sucker for good lines and characters with depth so reality tv is lost on me…not that I don’t love a good house hunt in the south of France.
A show I thought was yanked off prematurely? Firefly. Yup, I’m a geek.
Oh, I will confess to loving a few real estate and home decor shows! Especially if they are looking internationally. House Hunters International and Relocation, Relocation I’m looking at you. But otherwise, yes, good lines, characters, depth – I want it all!