Has anyone noticed the economy and TV shows??? About This Page:

[Sandra Bostwick]

I was interested when layoffs were written into Gray's Anatomy, but has anyone noticed that the economy seems to be a big part of alot of the new shows this season? I don't remember so many job and money problems in sit-coms in the past.

[simbarel]

I saw it in The Middle last night.

[Teresa]

I haven't been able to watch a lot of TV lately, so I haven't really noticed that - but I have noticed the huge influx of reality shows (So you think you can ......., Watch some idiot do something stupid, Jay Leno - I know it's not reality, but it's a bit cheaper to make than a show each day), so I think a lot of the TV stations are having a hard time in the economy.

[wvugrrrl]

I haven't really noticed it, but that's probably because the shows I watch are all outlandish comedies like Curb Your Enthusiasm, or ridiculous dramas like LOST and FlashForward, where the storylines don't really support the "bigger picture."

I do take that back - one of my favorites - It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia - did two episodes where "The Gang Exploits the Mortgage Crisis," and "The Great Recession." Hilarity ensued on both.

[scottjs]

I don't watch tv monday thru friday so I am not up on that but I have noticed a few things.

Two major characters have disappeared from Scrubs.

The new Jay Leno show is not doing well.

On late night is a lot of new get rich quick schemes.

And is it my imigination or do the guest on late night talk shows
seem to be more B list then A List anymore?

Anyway interesting topic Sandy--thanks.

[Sandra Bostwick]

Originally Posted by Teresa

I I have noticed the huge influx of reality shows (So you think you can ......., Watch some idiot do something stupid, Jay Leno - I know it's not reality, but it's a bit cheaper to make than a show each day), so I think a lot of the TV stations are having a hard time in the economy.

Now that is an interesting point!

I also see what Scott is saying about B list guests.

There are so many reality shows about trifling people these days. I seem to remember that shows about people, like Extra, were abot extraordinary people doing some worthy things, even if it was a new movie. More and more, the headliners are gossip and non-sense.

OK, Jon minus Kate and the 8, you don't want the show to go on, but we get a whole hour of you going to buy a birthday cake? It is like watching a train wreck, though. You grimace, but somehow it is hard to look away!

[Julian]

The TV stations in the UK are facing problems too. Advertising revenue is down a great deal (I know the cost of TV advertising has gone down a great deal which kind of shows they're desperate for the business I guess) and some of the major production and broadcasting companies have laid off a great deal of staff. Some of the more popular soaps have cut down on the number of episodes they air and some drama series that have been running for years have announced they aren't going to produce a series for this year or have been "shelved" indefinitely.

I'm not a great fan of "ordinary" day-to-day TV prefering movie chanels etc, but I have noticed the quality of what I have seen seems to be getting worse. And as for reality TV . . . if I see anymore people who can't sing/dance/act trying to be "superstars" I'm going to blow up my local transmitter mast!!!

[scottjs]

Sandy your right about reality shows for people with little talent. Seems to be a lot of those. A list Reality Shows don't come along that often. I can only think of a few.

Survivor(Is it time to retire the old timer??)
Big Brother(I never cared)
American Idol(sometimes I watch)
The Amazing Race.

And a lot of others down the list!!!