Is TV Gone?

It has been a rocky season. With all the shows returning, and new ones trying to make a name for themselves, I haven’t been touched or inspired by any of it this year. This is a huge surprise. Of the television shows I watched last year (Grey’s Anatomy, Ugly Betty, Desperate Housewives, Brothers & Sisters, and Private Practice), I’m down to only three. I used to be such a television buff. Nowadays, I find myself drawn to the Internet and the written word. I don’t think I’m alone either.

This year, almost all shows have seen their audience shrink -- some by extremely freaky decreases. With last years strike out of the way, there hasn’t really been much interest in television like before. Remember those days when everyone talked about Grey’s Anatomy and we all wondered what would happen come next week? Or how about those days we laughed out loud and waited anxiously for the latest Ugly Betty episode? Gone baby, gone.

If anything, I think last years strike did nothing but destroy television. We were all forced to find different outlets for our amusement. Now it’s just harder to go back and dedicate time to a show which doesn’t seem promising anymore. I think, like me, many of us are mad. Last year, we were all left hanging. And now, we’re being forced to catch up and enjoy shoddy writing and messy episodes.

Those selfish strikers. In truth, I do believe they had every right to voice their disapproval. In fact, I do believe writers are largely mistreated and taken for granted. But their strike, this great tragedy that killed TV last year, made everything worse. They should have waited. They should have brought out the best damn writing ever and completed last season on a high note. Then, they should have went ahead with a strike. I would have rather had a full season last year, complete with well crafted and finished story lines. All this instead of the mess that is going on right now. There were so many questions left unanswered last year! I would have preferred a glorious finish instead of a rushed and sticky start. You know what I mean?

Consider this:
Grey's Anatomy - premiere down 18% from last year
Ugly Betty - down 15%

Two of the most celebrated and respected shows on TV—going down.