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Remote Roundup: Character or Plot?

October 20, 2006

Taking a look at the shows cancelled so far, we are beginning to notice a trend in those that have been pulled. With the exception of “Happy Hour” (which is still in a coma but maybe be back on-air next month) -- all of the shows cancelled this season have billed themselves as “appointment television.”

We’ve begun referring to these shows as “marry-me-on-the-first-date” television. And there are a lot of them this year.

“Kidnapped” and “Runaway” were built around a formula that tries to demand our attention from the very beginning. This seems to be an attempt to emulate storytelling hit shows like “24” and “Lost.” The problem is that it seems as if we’ve landed in a state of “what will happen next?” The story, the mystery, the next thing that’s going to shock us --these all happen without much character development.

This is the opposite of shows with slow-burn individuals and personal storylines like “The West Wing” and “Judging Amy.” On these shows, the plot comes secondary to our relationship with the people involved in the telling.

Where is the balance? And does this account for the success of “Heroes,” which seems to have successfully bridged the two?

What do you think: Character, plot, or both?

Remote Roundup: “The Game”

October 19, 2006

True confessions: We haven't watched "The Game" yet. Have you?

"The Game" (CW), about the people behind-the-scenes of a pro-football team, has jumped to the third safest spot on the DeathWatch. One week ago, “The Game” sat at number 12, with odds of cancellation at 72:1. Today, it can be found at number 18, with cancellation odds at 294:1.

After the cancellation of “Runaway,” this is the only CW show left on the DeathWatch. “The Game” scored a low 3.1 this past Monday night. In fact, the only show that “The Game” did better than was a re-run of “Charlie’s Angels” on PAX.

So let’s discuss. Why is it moving towards safe? Is anyone watching this show? Tell us about it!

Update: "Runaway" ... for Good.

October 18, 2006

It’s been described as “’The Fugitive’ with Baggage." “Runaway” is (or was) the story of a family living on the lam -- Dad has been wrongly accused of a crime he didn’t commit and can’t leave his family behind while he attempts to prove his innocence. And so began a saga that had great protential, however derivative.

It debuted on the Deathwatch at Number 21 out of 24, with odds of cancellation at 238. In the course of the last several weeks, it dropped to number 11, (odds 54:1) and back down to number 15 as of yesterday (odds 131:1) This morning, a report at hollywoodreporter.com revealed that the CW had called it quits.

It appears that as the fugitive family continued to find a place to land, so did the audience, and eventually, everyone stopped caring.

What did you think of the show? Furthermore, what is your take on "The CW" as a network?

Remote Roundup: "Studio 60 on The Sunset Strip"

October 17, 2006

Signing in at Number 16 on the DeathWatch is “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.” And we’re interested in what you have to say about Aaron Sorkin’s homage to the great writers of comedy … Moliere, Strindberg, Gilbert and Sullivan ...

Does America care what goes on backstage at a late night comedy show? Are you interested in the whip-fast dialogue involved in any high stakes workplace drama? Is the writing really good, or do you find it pretentious?

Leave us a comment here. We’ll report back later.

Roundup Results: Ugly Betty

October 16, 2006

On Friday we asked your opinion on the comedy "Ugly Betty," and now we've found that there is some serious DeathWatch love for the new ABC series. (Could that be why the network just ordered up a full season of the show?)

Harry: "'Ugly Betty' is the best new show this fall. I don't think it will get the ax soon, considering the high ratings (#1 for new shows) and its brilliant writing and performances. America Ferrara should win the Emmy. Her gay-in-training little brother Justin is weird but hilarious."

Tiffany: "I've watched 'Survivor' every season so far, but this time I'm watching 'Ugly Betty' instead. It's light and funny and unlike anything else on TV. Great show!"

There were only a handful of anti-Betty posters in the responses. Here's one take:

Ted: "I hope and pray that the majority of those listed above are some kind of vocal minority. It's SUCH a bad show. Other than the lead actress, not one of the cast members could pull off a decent performance if their lives (or the shows life, for that matter) depended on it."

When "Ugly Betty" made its debut on the DeathWatch, it clocked in at number two, but it has been moving towards "safe" ever since. (The show is now at number six.) Around here, we're pretty sure that folks had little faith in an Americanized version of a Mexican import, based on a Columbian import. Many of our responders made the point that this was "Betty's" possible downfall. But it seems like those concerns were unfounded and that the American version is here to stay.

The viewer attitude seemed to be summed up by Larry, who said:

"I was surprised when I enjoyed this show. It seemed an unlikely candidate for success, but America Ferrara is charmingly sincere in creating a character who's striving for success against huge odds. She works really hard, hurts when shot down and lights up when she's happy. Who can't relate to that?"