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Brilliant Television Writing Does Not Guarantee Television Viewers

Tiffany Vogt — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 13:49:33 +0000

In response to my recent article “Superheroes Are Dropping Like Flies! An Investigation Why Television Seems to be the Genre’s Kryptonite,” one commenter offered his opinion that superhero shows are failing because the shows are not well-written. But unlike in the movie Field of Dreams, the theory of “If you build it, they will come,” does not hold true on television. In fact, if anything, time and time again, great writing is an anathema to the average television viewer. It does not lure in more viewers and it does not guarantee a higher retention rate. Great writing is but one ingredient needed to draw and retain viewers.

Examples of ratings-challenged television shows offering superior writing include a large number of “brilliant but cancelled” shows from the past decade. Among those are: TERRIERS, BATTLESTAR GALATICA, DEADWOOD, FIREFLY, VERONICA MARS, EVERWOOD, WONDERFALLS, ELI STONE, KINGS and even fan-favorites TERMINATOR: SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES and DOLLHOUSE. (If looking at the current television landscape, it also includes such current shows as the Emmy-winning MAD MEN and BREAKING BAD and newcomer FX’s JUSTIFIED. It appears that no matter how many awards or how much critical-acclaim, even those will not draw in viewers.)

What is fascinating about all these shows is that whether they were immediately heralded as “brilliantly written,” now that they are gone those are the tags we put on them. Why? Because they were. For whatever reason, the average viewer just did not see or perhaps appreciate the superior writing of these shows when they were on. It is certainly true that a small devoted and vocal bunch of viewers immediately saw and appreciated what they had — but in television, small is never better. Television shows only survive if they can pull in a large number of viewers. More viewers equals more ad revenue and thus a longer chance at longevity.

There is a reason all of these shows are now called “brilliant but cancelled” — they simply are.

But great writing just is not enough. Whatever viewers are looking for, it does not rest on the quality of writing alone. If that were true, a large portion of what is succeeding would have died a long time ago.

Instead, shows that offer comfort and familiarity succeed, like NCIS, NCIS:LA and THE MENTALIST. Those shows offer a steady stream of formulaic stories each week, but viewers flock to them. The consistency works in their favor. In addition, they offer surrogate families for viewers to visit each week. It is a winning combination of comfort and charisma.

Simply put, viewers crave “comfort food” television more than they seek out riskier fare such as MAD MEN and BREAKING BAD.

In addition, the prevalence of reality television shows perfectly illustrates how attractive and deep-rooted the mass television audience is with “voyeuristic” and competition shows. Viewers enjoy the titillation of peeking into someone else’s life and seeing what they are doing, such as TEEN MOM and JERSEY SHORE — alas, transparency into whether or not such reality TV shows are scripted, storyboarded or staged is not so clear to viewers. The average viewer also wants to see people engaged in dramatic, sensationalized competition shows such as DANCING WITH THE STARS and SURVIVOR. These types of shows offer another kind of viewing “food group” that satisfies the viewers’ cravings.

The last category is alternative scripted television. This is where shows like FRINGE, CHUCK and STARGATE: UNIVERSE consistently hover. They are not offering the “comfort food,” nor sensationalist/titillation of competitive and/or voyeuristic television shows. Instead, they are competing for the remnants of the available television audience — ones who are looking for something different, something entertaining, and, sometimes, something that will ultimately be labeled “brilliant but cancelled.”

While it is true that not every low-rated television show offers brilliant writing, it is true that most brilliantly written television shows tend to consistently pull in a lower number of viewers.

Over the years there have been anomalies as shows like THE WEST WING and LOST somehow eluded the curse of low-ratings while offering some of the best television writing ever to grace the television screen. But THE WEST WING and LOST also possessed more than one secret ingredient: they also offered large doses of “comfort food” and charisma. These were surrogate families that the mass viewing audience were more than happy to tune in to see every week.

Many have noted over the years that making a successful television show is like capturing “lightning in a bottle.” It is rare. It is extremely elusive. To gather each piece needed to launch and sustain a high-rated television show requires a remarkable number of “stars to align.” A show needs a great showrunner, fantastic directors, a phenomenal cast, brilliant writing, and a zillion other phenomenally talented crew to make it all work flawlessly.

It is not to say that the networks and studios do not try. They spend hundreds of millions of dollars each year trying to replicate “lightning in a bottle.” But even copycatting what has worked before is never a guarantee. Why? Because viewers are fickle. They do not always appreciate a recycling of a successful formula — sometimes they do, like with the CSI, LAW & ORDER and NCIS franchises. But other times, like with LOST and THE WEST WING, viewers tend to shy away from something they feel is a rehash of another successful show. One reason is that LOST and THE WEST WING were heavily serialized shows and once the story is done, it is done. The CSIs and LAW & ORDERs offer procedural stories — the crime of the week — and thus, it feels less like a repeat of a story already seen — and if it is, it is okay, because it is only for one episode, not 6 or 7 years.

The trick is to come up with something that will take all the key ingredients and whip up a new confection of television delights. Televisions shows require a special recipe for success — they cannot subsist on just one ingredient alone.

So in response to the edict that a television show failed because it was not written well, I remind you: there are lots of fantastically, if not brilliantly, written television shows that fail each year. If only writing alone would guarantee television viewers, then so many amazing televisions shows would still be on the air today. Alas, the average television viewer is not lured by writing. The average viewer’s taste seeks something much more elusive — a magic ingredient that is never really known.

Television success is like magic — it never feels real, but when it happens we are enchanted.

Tiffany Vogt is a contributing writer to The TV Addict. She has a great love for television and firmly believes that entertainment is a world of wondrous adventures that deserves to be shared and explored – she invites you to join her. Please feel free to contact Tiffany at Tiffany_Vogt_2000@yahoo.com or follow her at on Twitter (@TVWatchtower). Tiffany also writes as a columnist for NiceGirlsTV.

Today’s TV Addict Top 5: Reasons TV Might Not Suck This Weekend

theTVaddict — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 17:00:46 +0000

1. ELI STONE makes its long awaited return to ABC this Saturday with a road trip (10PM, ABC)

2. A blackout gives David and Michele some much needed alone time on KINGS (8PM, NBC)

3. Unlike Twilight, TRUE BLOOD it’s a vampire love story adults don’t have to be embarrassed too about (9PM, HBO)

4. A younger, better looking version of MERLIN welcomes viewers to ~~The OC~~ Camelot B*tch! (8PM, NBC)

5. The premiere of KILLER HAIR, a TV-movie based on the bestselling books by Ellen Byerrum, on the Lifetime Movie Network. Think MURDER, SHE STYLED. (8PM, LMN)

Must See TV Saturday: ABC Announces Airdates for Final Episodes of PUSHING DAISIES, ELI STONE and DIRTY SEXY MONEY

theTVaddict — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 20:37:32 +0000

Having no life is finally about to pay off! Thanks to today’s announcement courtesy of ABC that the remaining episodes of some of your favorite brilliant-but-cancelled series will burn off their final batch of episodes throughout the summer on Saturdays at 10PM. With PUSHING DAISIES airing on Saturday May 30th through Saturday June 13 at 10PM, ELI STONE airing from June 20 through July 11, and DIRTY SEXY MONEY from July 18 through August 8.

Good News, Bad News: HEROES, ABC, NBC & BATTLESTAR GALACTICA

theTVaddict — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 23:13:01 +0000

Good News: In a statement released on Thursday to the media, HEROES creator Tim Kring promised that the new volume of HEROES “starts us pretty much from scratch.” Adding that “there is almost nothing that the audience needs to know from the previous volume in order to follow the storyline.” Bad News: Kring’s statement sounds eerily similar to the message he delivered to Entertainment Weekly at the end of the strike shortened second season, where he apologized to fans and professed his desire to give the show “a clean slate.” [Source]

Good News: On the subject of the now-cancelled PUSHING DAISIES, ELI STONE and DIRTY SEXY MONEY, ABC president Stephen McPherson revealed that he “really loved the shows.” Bad News: Just not enough to give the respective showrunners enough time to craft proper series endings or to make room on the schedule to air their remaining episodes.
[Source]

Good News: NBC has given early season pickups to THE OFFICE, 30 ROCK and THE BIGGEST LOSER. Bad News: While the fates of LIFE, LIPSTICK JUNGLE, CHUCK and FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS hang in the balance. [Source]

Good News: After far too long a hiatus, tonight marks the beginning of the end for BATTLESTAR GALACTICA Bad news: It’s the beginning of the END! What the Frak are we all going to do when the show is over?

Random Musings: GOSSIP GIRL, ELI STONE & TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES

theTVaddict — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:23:02 +0000

Memo to all current and future “Mean Girls.” If the best plan you can come up with to humiliate a rival girl at your upcoming Christmas, Holiday and/or Snowflake Dance is to highlight her smokin’ hot body in front of the well, the entire student body. You may want to consider going back to the drawing board. We’re just saying — by shining the spotlight both literally and figuratively on a barley clad Vanessa during Monday’s installment of GOSSIP GIRL, the Constance Meanies and Little J not only delivered the most PG wardrobe malfunction ever, they ensured that Vanessa is now etched in the fantasties of virtually every boy and probably more than a few girls at school.

Dear DirecTV. Now that you’ve successfully become the coolest satellite provider on the face of the planet by helping co-finance a third season of FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS. Might we trouble you to turn your show saving powers towards ABC’s ratings anemic yet highly deserving legal comedy drama hybrid ELI STONE. For reasons why, look no further than last night’s episode which perfectly incapsulated why hundreds of readers have already pledged their support for the show that quite literally has it all. Heart, laughs, drama (of both the relationship and legal variety), not to mention Victor Garber.

And finally, is it safe to assume that the mysterious three dots that Sarah Connor is seeing everywhere correlate to the exact time and date in which Judgement Day becomes a fait accompli? And more importanatly, raise your hand if you’re impressed that we’ve finally managed to work “fait accompli” into a sentence! (Fingers crossed that we spelled it correctly.)

Exclusive Video: Natasha Henstridge Says SAVE ELI STONE!

theTVaddict — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:31:33 +0000

At Friday’s 2008 Gemini Awards (Canada’s Emmy equivalent), Natasha Hensridge (Gemini Winner for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role for WOULD BE KINGS) had three words for fans. SAVE ELI STONE!

Question of the Day: Gregory Smith on ELI STONE, Good Idea?

theTVaddict — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 01:06:18 +0000

Does the news, courtesy of TVGuide, that EVERWOOD alum Gregory Smith has signed on to the thirteenth and final episode of ELI STONE make the show’s cancellation more or less depressing?

Thanks to DuckyDoesTV for the Tip!

Good News, Bad News: TERMINATOR, BATTLESTAR GALACTICA, Horatio Sanz & More!

theTVaddict — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 19:18:13 +0000

Good News: According to a recent report, Americans are watching more TV than ever. Bad News: Notable exceptions to ‘more TV than ever’ unfortunately include PUSHING DAISIES, ELI STONE and DIRTY SEXY MONEY. [Source]

Good News: TERMINATOR THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES delivered two fairly shocking reveals in last night’s can’t miss episode. Bad News: With a season low 4.62 million viewers, most of you missed it! Begging the question, what’s the deal? [Source]

Good News: BATTLESTAR GALACTICA unveils an epic final season promo. Bad News: There’s still 49 days until the Frakkin’ season premiere! [See Video]

Good News: Horatio Sanz reveals his weight loss secret. Bad News: Turns out eating better and exercise are kind of a big deal. Which is a shame, because this TV Addict was sort of hoping his ‘secret’ didn’t involve eating less burgers, pizza and hot dogs. [Source]

Breaking: ABC Cancels PUSHING DAISIES, ELI STONE and DIRTY SEXY MONEY

theTVaddict — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 02:24:04 +0000

With apologies in advance for our spectacularly unimaginative acronym, theTVaddict.com interrupts what should have been a highly enjoyable night of television (or to be more specific: UGLY BETTY, THE OFFICE, 30 ROCK, GREY’S ANATOMY, SUPERNATURAL, SMALLVILLE and LIFE ON MARS) to bring you some Awfully Bad Cancellation News.

ABC has officially pulled the plug on PUSHING DAISIES, ELI STONE and DIRTY SEXY MONEY.

And while the Alphabet Network has yet to ‘officially’ cancel the shows — most likely to avoid the deluge of lipstick that NBC is currently accumulating as a result of their shoddy treatment of LIPSTICK JUNGLE. Entertainment Weekly, E! Online and The Hollywood Reporter have all gone ahead, and ‘exclusively’ reported that all three shows will not be shooting any episodes past their initial 13 episode order.

That said, there is a silver lining to this troubling trifecta of cancellations. In what will undoubtedly be seen as a futile attempt to cushion the blow, ABC has announced that they’ve ordered four more episodes of the season’s best new show LIFE ON MARS in addition to confirming that SCRUBS will make its Alphabet Network debut on Tuesday, Jan. 6, at 9 p.m.

Once again, this Awfully Bad Cancellation News not to mention incredibly lame acronym has been brought to you by ABC. We now return you to your regularly scheduled programming.

Random Musings: ELI STONE, 90210 & HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 3

theTVaddict — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 16:40:44 +0000

The Good: From Weathersby Posner & Klein’s original and inspiring mission statement to “serve the public good and honor the public trust” that was scribbled on a napkin thirty years prior (Bartlett for America anyone?), to the master class in acting put forth by Victor “Where’s My Emmy?” Garber, “good” doesn’t even begin to describe my feelings when it comes to last night’s installment of ELI STONE. Especially now that we know that Eli’s future includes making it all the way to the Supreme Court alongside friend and mentor Jordan Weathersby. (And yes, in case you’re wondering, this TV Addict’s jaw is still partially on the floor following last night’s shocking final scene involving Maggie Decker siding with the evil that is Posner & Klein.)

The Bad: 90210. Whose committee of showrunners don’t seem to “get” that fans are not in the business of caring about couples they’ve manufactured out of thin air. Ethan and Annie’s will-they-or-won’t-they relationship is absolutely pointless when the two characters have been given zero redeeming qualities for fans to latch on to and root for. And don’t even get me started on Navid and Adrianna — I mean have those two even shared a scene together prior to last night’s episode? Memo to Gabe Sachs and Jeff Judah. Your viewers are not morons and if you expect us to remain invested in this show outside of the occasional Brenda/Kelly cameo you probably should go back to the drawing board and remember that the likes of Brenda & Dylan, Ross & Rachel and Pam & Jim don’t just happen. It takes seasons of build up and hard work. So get to it.

The Ugly: Apparently it wasn’t enough for HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 3 to squeeze 42 million dollars out of North American theatergoers this weekend. The show must go on. Which is why Disney cleverly used Zac Efron’s swan song to launch an obvious HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL: THE NEXT GENERATION spin-off and a full-blown Broadway Musical. Which wouldn’t be so ugly except for the fact this TV Addict just donated ten bucks to the cause!