The Dark Side of TV

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As someone who grew up with the golden era of 80s TV, I can’t help but feel a tinge of nostalgia when I see those shows today. The innocence, the humor, the adventure – it was all so pure and uncomplicated. Compared to the edgy, dark series that seem to dominate streaming platforms nowadays, those shows were like a breath of fresh air.

Growing up on television series like Magnum P.I., MacGyver, The A-Team, Airwolf, Who’s the Boss?, and The Golden Girls might have given one a rather idealistic perspective of the world. For example, it could seem as though entertainment has become increasingly grim, mature, and tailored to younger audiences who supposedly possess significant purchasing power and influence. Re-watching these shows today, even the subtle hints in The Golden Girls can’t help but remind you of a time when innocence still reigned.

Go Edgy or Broke

In the realm of modern entertainment, the nostalgic charm of the 80s family-friendly action-adventure and comedy series has been overshadowed by the infinite selection offered by streaming platforms. As a movie reviewer, I find myself constantly seeking unique shows that stand out from the crowd. The abundance of series available today makes it challenging to differentiate one from another, but the hunt for quality content remains an exciting adventure.

Balancing viewership, engaging casual viewers, and consistently delivering entertaining content can be quite challenging both from the perspective of a viewer and especially as a content creator, aiming to captivate audiences and ensure they return for future episodes.

In the 1980s, audiences were largely captive, so you only needed to be decent and not too terrible to gain their approval. Mainstream shows were remarkably enjoyable without resorting to dark themes. Today, however, the challenge is to hook viewers within seconds, keep them interested, satisfy them, and leave them craving more, which has become an essential aspect of modern programming.

Biased Demographics

It became apparent that age bias was at play when Boston Legal was terminated, providing viewers with an amusing legal drama full of quirks that catered more to mature audiences. Despite the fact that Alan Shore and Denny Crane, played by Alan Shore and Denny Crane, were one of the most successful on-screen duos, and David E. Kelley consistently produced outstanding seasons… it concluded with a 13-episode fifth season.

Given the intense polarization between red and blue during its premiere (and it seems that tension remains today), this show ignited insightful discussions about early 2000s America. There’s hope for a comeback; let’s keep our fingers crossed!

Narrative Arcs

The shows followed a typical structure, focusing on individual episodes rather than relying on prior or subsequent episodes. These shows were frequently produced like self-contained feature films, fitting all necessary elements within 42 minutes, with 18 minutes of commercial breaks to boost the channel’s advertisers. Don’t forget to tune in! The storylines often had a loose overarching plot that stretched across an entire season, but in many instances, you needed only to enjoy the fundamental idea or primary characters. Unfortunately, it sometimes felt like watching the same thing repeated.

TV Broadcast Timing

As a dedicated movie enthusiast, I often ponder about who’s engrossed in the luminous screen during primetime hours, as there are undeniably rules about what can and cannot be shown. Shows like Dallas and Twin Peaks were categorized as adult content, allowing for more mature themes to emerge later in the evening. This meant that it was best to have the little ones asleep by 8 pm. It’s a bit disheartening to realize that even though darker shows have been a part of our television landscape, it seems challenging nowadays to captivate an audience with lighter, more wholesome entertainment.

Each week, the episode’s structure kept drawing you in for more, and there were instances when it was hard to resist spending the evening glued to the TV screen. Recording videos on VHS tapes, you encountered ads from that era, trying to minimize spoiling the rewatch experience by skipping through them too quickly. It was quite remarkable back then, having the ability to replay episodes whenever desired.

Reflecting on my past experiences as a young viewer, watching MacGyver craft explosives from everyday items may have inadvertently fueled a fascination with fireworks among kids like me. Yet, his ingenious, gun-free problem-solving skills were truly inspiring during that era. Re-visiting these shows today, there’s an undeniable gulf in the simplicity and innocence they exude, reminding us of a time when heroes could triumph over evil without being tainted by personal flaws, consistently saving the day time and time again.

Pure Escapism

Today, people can watch an entire season of a show in one go right after its release, leading to a peak in consumerism and immediate satisfaction. Sadly, not everything produced meets the standards of being pure or appropriate for family viewing. While positive messages are heartwarming, it’s often the sensational aspects that drive a series’ popularity.

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2024-08-14 10:43