So here we are for the second edition of the midseason ‘Ish List (read Part 1). I am glad I split the list into two, because I had to subtract and add new entries this week due to the recent shenanigans in the entertainment world. The first five are a lock (especially after seeing Carlos Solis’ machinations this past week on Desperate Housewives). So without further adieu, let’s round out the most inane and insane of television at the moment.
6. The Media… ALL of Them…
The Nielsen Ratings System was saved for this slot, but due to the tomfoolery that was the evening news this past week and half, I had to bump them for the media’s wayward definition on what they call news.
Everywhere I turned this past week and a half, I was bombarded by and had to defend people I really don’t care about. For instance, Chris Brown, Mike Huckabee, and Tiger Woods. The media has a knack for not leaving things alone that they should just let go. It is apparent nowadays that journalists are trying to stir trouble instead of reporting something that’s going to benefit their viewers in some shape, way or form. Tiger Woods and Chris Brown’s private lives? Who cares? Is that going to affect me going to and from work every day? Or is it going to jeopardize my job, for Christ sakes? Keep entertainment news in the entertainment section and not as top news where it dominates most of the news broadcast. And that sentiment goes to ALL news channels!
7. The Nielsen Ratings System
Earlier this season there was a big “development” in the new system implemented to include DVR data along with the ratings of a television show. The Live Plus Seven data showed jumps in viewership for a lot of low rated shows as well as top rated shows. There was 50% or more increase in viewers for shows like Dollhouse, Eastwick, Fringe, and 90210. But Dollhouse and Eastwick still ended up being canceled and there was talk that Fringe may join them in TV heaven. Eastwick was actually beating Jay Leno in the ratings game, but it wasn’t enough for ABC to save it.
So the question is: if we are using the Live Plus Seven data to include the new trend of DVR viewing, then why do those shows that improve in DVR playbacks still face cancellation? This isn’t a Fringe, Dollhouse, or Grey’s Anatomy gripe. It is a gripe in how TV viewers are counted in the ratings game, which is already lopsided, because not every household has a Nielsen box on their TV. There are so many holes in the way Nielsen operates and how ratings are calculated. Who here thinks that it’s about time that someone stands up to the behemoth that is Nielsen and demand a proper representation of TV viewers – a.k.a. an overhaul of the ratings system? We need change, America!
8. Preemptive and Delayed Programming
While awards shows and lame specials have always delayed scripted television on the major networks, this TV season will be overkill. We had the World Series chop up Fringe, the Winter Olympics will chop up other shows and God only knows what else to head our way. I might be wrong, but I remember when most award shows were aired during a slew of repeats and when FOX didn’t really start airing new episodes of some of their shows until after the World Series was finished. It’s a shame for new programming and struggling shows to be swapped around while trying to find or maintain viewers. Another reason to change the TV landscape…
9. Time Slot Wars: LOST vs. Glee vs. Insert Show Here ——
Late last month we reported about the time slot from hell that will give our DVRs, psyches, and sanity a run for our money. True, Glee will return much much later during the spring TV season, but it will be DEEP within the final season of LOST and who in their right mind will want to miss that monumental TV event? I mean the meaty part of LOST’s final season, not the return of Glee. But as a Gleek, I have DVR and will be recording it (and LOST) as a back up plan to show support for one of the best new dramas of the season. Although, like I stated earlier, the Live Plus Seven data still doesn’t count in the ratings game it seems, which means that FOX might change it’s ‘tune’ when Glee goes up against LOST. I heavily doubt that FOX will cancel Glee for a ratings slump after all of the promotion they have done for the show, but I would be a fool to trust any network, especially FOX, when it comes to their mighty God: ‘The Ratings’. I am also a fan of Melrose Place and feel that Amanda Woodward can’t even fight Dharma and the Others, and I loveher! So what is a guy to do? Weep like a newborn baby…
10. The LONG Wait For New ‘The Vampire Diaries” Episodes
Should I even have to justify that with an description? It should speak for itself! ;)
Honorable Mentions:
Balloon Boy
The Wilsons sans Debbie from 90210
Dr. Nicholas Rush from Stargate Universe (he better thank the media as well for his bump)
The Dumbing Down of TV With Reality TV – I love some of it, but as they say: smoking is bad for you and TV viewers should have cancer by now with the over-saturation of Reality TV on our screens.
So what do you guys think? I would love to see your Ish Lists from this season so far!
