I’m Over It
Look, I’ve been in this business for 20+ years. I’ve seen the good, the bad, and the downright ugly. But honestly, I’m tired. Tired of pretending that every new TV show is a masterpiece. It’s not. And I’m done lying about it.
Let’s start with the obvious. The Golden Age of TV? Over. Done. Finished. I remember when shows like The Sopranos and The Wire were groundbreaking. They were complex, they were real, they were art. Now? We’ve got reality TV stars playing scripted characters. And we’re supposed to be impressed?
I was at a conference in Austin last year, and I heard a producer say, “We’re not making art, we’re making content.” Which… yeah. Fair enough. But at what cost?
The Algorithmic Abomination
Here’s the thing. Streaming services have changed the game. And not in a good way. It’s all about the algorithm now. “Give the people what they want,” they say. But what they want is garbage.
I had coffee with a friend named Marcus last Tuesday. He’s a bigwig at one of the streaming giants. I asked him, “Marcus, why is everything so formulaic?” He said, “Because it works. People like what they know.” I told him, “But what about taking risks? Pushing boundaries?” He just laughed. “That’s not what the data says.”
Data. Ugh. I hate that word. It’s like they’ve forgotten that art is supposed to be messy. Unpredictable. Human.
And don’t even get me started on the binge-watching phenomenon. It’s completley ruined storytelling. No more cliffhangers, no more anticipation. Just endless content to fill the void. It’s like they’re trying to outdo each other in a race to the bottom.
A Personal Rant
I remember the first time I watched Breaking Bad. It was 2008, and I was at home on a rainy Sunday. I was hooked. The character development, the tension, the moral ambiguity. It was everything TV should be.
Fast forward to today. I tried watching a new show last week. Let’s call it Generic Cop Drama. It was terrible. The writing was cliché, the characters were one-dimensional, and the plot was predictable. I lasted two episodes before I gave up. And I’m a professional. I have to watch this stuff.
I complained to my colleague Dave about it. He said, “You’re just getting old, Maggie. You don’t get it anymore.” Maybe he’s right. Maybe I don’t get it. But I know what I like. And I like quality.
The Exception That Proves the Rule
Now, I’m not saying there’s nothing good out there. There are still gems. Shows like Succession and Fleabag prove that great TV still exists. But they’re exceptions. And they’re few and far between.
I think the problem is that we’ve become a culture of instant gratification. We want our entertainment fast, easy, and mindless. And the industry is happy to oblige. But at what cost?
I’m not sure. But I know one thing. I’m done pretending. I’m done lying. I’m done watching bad TV just because it’s there.
So here’s my advice. Be picky. Demand better. And if you’re not into it, turn it off. Life’s too short for bad TV.
Oh, and if you’re stuck in traffic and need something to do, check out the traffic update today. It’s probably more interesting than whatever’s on TV.
A Tangent: The Rise of the Influencer
You know what else is killing TV? Influencers. They’re everywhere. And they’re ruining everything. I was at a party last month, and some kid was talking about his “personal brand.” I asked him what he did. “I’m an influencer,” he said. “I influence people.” I said, “Wow. That’s… specific.” He didn’t get it. Nobody gets it anymore.
But I digress. Back to TV.
Look, I’m not saying I have all the answers. I’m just saying that something’s gotta change. And it starts with us. The viewers. The consumers. The people who demand better.
So do me a favor. Next time you’re scrolling through your streaming service, be picky. Demand quality. And if you’re not feeling it, turn it off. There’s a whole world out there. And it’s better than Generic Cop Drama.
Trust me.
About the Author: Maggie O’Connor is a senior magazine editor with over 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry. She’s seen it all and has the opinions to prove it. When she’s not ranting about bad TV, she’s probably watching old episodes of The Sopranos or complaining about the lack of good coffee shops in her neighborhood.
