Too Many Options
I love television and movies and books. Maybe that’s my problem, I’m too easily entertained. I have long grieved the fact that I can never read all the books. I may eventually get to all the movies I really want to see, but with episode after episode of television shows on network, satellite, and streaming services, there is just not enough time. A line must be drawn. Life is too short for reboots.
Lightening In A Bottle
Some shows are magic. The casting, writing, and directing all come together beautifully. Sometimes you just can’t capture the magic again. Whether it’s a film rebooted as a TV show, or an old series recycled for today, some will always fall short. An awesome two hour movie does not always mean an awesome 13-26 episodes a year.
Yes, there are success stories. Recently, I was floating around in a pool in Mexico with my mom when she said, “Did you see the premier of Roseanne?” I told her I didn’t watch it because I don’t have time for old TV. So then she said “But surely you made an exception for Will and Grace,” knowing I am an advocate of all things LGBT. She was shocked that I had chosen not to watch. It is possible I am missing some great television, but sacrifices must be made.
Is Hollywood Just Lazy?
There is a long held theory that there are seven basic plots and every story is some variation of the seven. These include: Overcoming the Monster, Rags to Riches, The Quest, Voyage and Return, Comedy, Tragedy and Rebirth. Seven may sound limiting, but as the world changes, discoveries are made, new creative minds enter the industry, there is plenty of fodder for new stories. The movie industry is just as guilty as the television industry when it comes to recycled content. I don’t mind a continuation of a franchise (The Star Wars stories, Ocean’s 8) and yeah, I want to see the new Tomb Raider, but I don’t need to see every movie I saw when I was ten years old done in a new way. I’ve seen bloggers criticize movies based on books, foreign films, toys, and video games as not being original, but that doesn’t bother me so much because I have not previously seen them on film. How many different times do I need to see Superman portrayed by someone new? (Don’t get me wrong, I love Henry Cavill). Mad Max, Jurassic World, Terminator Genisys, Fantastic 4, Cinderella, The Man from U.N.C.L.E. and more were all released in 2015. Some were good and some were horrible, but I also wanted to watch Avengers: Age of Ultron, Sicario, Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials, Ant-Man, Room, The Martian, The Danish Girl… If you are going to compete for my movie dollars, give me something new.
No Guarantee
Screener and TV by the Numbers track data on new television shows. Reboots and new series both have about a 62% failure rate. Even if a formerly well loved show and its characters pull in an audience initially, they don’t often stick around.
Thinning the Herd
Due to time constraints I recently went through my DVR and eliminated timers for shows that just weren’t living up to my expectations. I had given Good Girls, Kevin Probably Saves the World and The Arrangement a chance but I’m over it. I’m also over competition series that have had 25 seasons. No more Survivor, Dancing with the Stars, Amazing Race and American Ninja Warrior.
I would rather spend my time on Timeless, The Americans, Rise, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Younger, Blindspot, Killing Eve, Outlander (when it returns) and the upcoming Sweetbitter.
It’s hard and it’s sad to “just say no” to potentially great TV. Maybe when I’m 90 and confined to a wheelchair, the alien race in charge will beam the shows I missed directly into my brain for my viewing pleasure.
Are you into the new reboot trend, or are you holding out for more original material?
