Only the good (TV Shows) die young

While it never shocks me, it always amazes me how TV network execs play loose and fast with the life span of a TV show. Instead of giving things a chance to grow or develop a following, a show’s life can be cut short with the quick flick of a wrist.

The latest case in point… NBC cutting off procedural crime drama Prime Suspect after 13 episodes. While yeah it’s a remake of the British series that starred Helen Mirren, this reboot featuring a utterly fantastic Maria Bello, barely got a chance to get off the ground. Critics adore it, but the ratings aren’t super high. It’s also buried on Thursday nights, up against sap fest Greys Anatomy LA, er I mean Private Practice and CBS’s The Mentalist, two shows that have built up followings with strong lead ins. What’s NBC’s lead in? The Office (post Steve Carrell) and a new show, Whitney, which is funny but not strong enough to carry viewers.To boot, it’s not your typical procedural ala Law & Order (and please, do not get me started on that being pulled), it has been building some interesting character dynamics and storylines that has me hooked. Is it because Bello’s prickly Jane Timoney is multi-dimentional, unlike, say Sunday night stalwart CSI: Miami star David Carusoe, who is just… a bad actor? Or is it too intelligent for people to follow? One may never know.

And Prime Suspect falls in a long line of cancelled before their time. Of course every fanboy has their Arrested Development and Firefly (which honestly, I never watched either… am I better off though?). My concern still lies with hopeful-midseason-replacement-now-cut-to-15-episodes Cougar Town, which while probably has the worst title on tv (admitted so by the creator!), it’s also one of the funniest ensemble casts out there. Hey, who wants to play ‘Penny Can? (Penny Caaaan!)’ ?

My personal most devastating loss of all time was Twin Peaks. Yes, ‘Who Killed Laura Palmer’ dominated my life for two years in high school. I was hypnotized, seduced, could not wait to watch what happened next. But as the second season progressed,  ABC started playing games. The worst was when they would bury episodes at 2:35am. I.Kid.You. Not. Of course it was the precursor to getting shitcanned. I think Mark Frost and David Lynch started getting pissed at the mistreatment they got from the network, so they just started fucking with people’s heads toward the end. Then again… ‘Where’s Annie?” was the best show ending twist ever. And if you don’t get it, you must check this show out.

Oh network execs. You are the problem. If a show isn’t getting ratings, you start fucking around with time slots. Getting buried on Saturday night is not a solution for a fledgling drama. It’s more like a death sentence. Granted, you take risks on shows, and they don’t always pan out. Pan Am and Playboy Club, case in point. But when you have something that critics actually like, give it a chance, maybe grow a following.

And yet, it can be so random. I still have yet to figure out what the rhyme or reason was keeping According To Jim on the air for as long as it lasted. Ddid anyone watch that show? Will anyone cop to watching that show? And why is Kathy Bates getting a plum Wednesday night slot for her show Harry’s Law?  Or should I call it Ally McBeal: The Senior Years? Yawn.

So to the net execs out there, as my Thanksgiving wish, I hope you reconsider cancelling a show before you give it a fair chance. Prime Suspect in particular. I know the axe hasn’t fallen hard and fast yet, but the outlook is not good.  Reprieve is in the air.

And hope does spring eternal: I mean, Family Guy was cancelled twice, and yet it’s back on the air. Even Arrested Development is getting a second life, so maybe I need to check that one out. And hey,  they are even rebooting Dallas. The original cast is back except Victoria Principal, and looks like she was recast with Brenda Strong, Mary Alice from Desperate Housewives. Then, continuing with the Desperate Housewives theme, and to give it some young flair (maybe a few viewers too), the hunky boys from that show are being added as the next generation.

Yeah, maybe some things should just be left alone.

 

 

JoePa… You deserved to be fired.

The entire situation surrounding the startling discoveries at Penn State this week honestly make me sick. What makes the whole debacle all the more tragic is the reaction of the Penn State students.

Let’s look at the facts: Jerry Sandusky, a former defensive coach for Penn State Nittany Lions, allegedly molested 8 minor boys over a period of 15 years. There were several allegations made by witnesses during this period, at least one of which was reported to head coach and Penn icon, Joe Paterno. Nothing was done. And now, 12 years after Sandusky has left, he has been arrested. Information has come to light that Paterno knew about at least one incident, and he reported it to his superior. Yet nothing came of it, nothing was done. And life went on at Penn State as usual. Paterno’s non action over this situation has led to his dismissal, as well as that of the college President. And the students are in an uproar.

My question is, why are the students pissed about Paterno’s dismissal?

The man had more power at the college than most administrators, more respect, more pull. And yet, he did the bare minimum when it came to an allegation of sexual assault of a minor. If Paterno is such a pillar of the community, such a moral compass, where was his due diligence? The follow up? How could he turn a blind eye and assume that the molestation of a minor on the campus by one of his subordinates was being dealt with in a proper manner, and yet Sandusky managed to keep his job? Wouldn’t a normal, moral compass think that the fact that his colleague kept his job under such circumstances lead him to contact the police to see if the allegations were properly and thoroughly investigated?

That is exactly why Paterno was dismissed. He didn’t do enough, especially in the role that he held. He should be held to a higher expectation than most people considering his reputation, and the fact that he essentially turned a blind eye is cause enough for him to be fired. And yes, he turned a blind eye. Eight boys were molested. The fact he was told about one should have been cause enough for him to go to the police. And he didn’t. Laziness, ignorance, sheer stupidity or a senior moment, it doesn’t matter. He’s an accessory to the crime. And he needs to be held accountable.

Which brings me back to the reaction of the students. My disbelief lies in their complete and utter insensitivity over what occurred. 8 boys suffered. Their icon knew of the possibility that this was going on, yet did nothing. And all the while, they joke in their classes about being ‘Sanduskied’, or being screwed. They cheered and bragged… Yes, bragged…about starting the riot over JoePa’s dismissal. Why didn’t they question why their moral compass didn’t press the issue around Sandusky’s accusations? Where is their empathy for the victims? Where is their common sense in all of of this?

It’s the naïvety of the students. College is a sheltered existence to an extent. Some may argue that college is passé, that in today’s society and economic climate it ‘s an extension of high school. It could be argued valiantly. I say, it’s a learning ground. It’s that rite after the entitlement of being a kid, learning that life isn’t fair. Things don’t go the way you want them to. It’s the prep school for the reality that is real life. This is their time to be smacked about with the reality that their heroes aren’t alway the most upstanding people they are led to believe. It’s their come to Jesus moment.

But the Penn State undergrads have proved me wrong, and only reinforced that the younger generation’s sense of entitlement is so out of whack. I am disgusted that these students don’t realize that children are the ones who suffer in the end. Sadly, they are more angry that their fallen idol was fired after winning only 409 games. They were more proud that they stood up and rolled a news trucks on it’s side in protest of his firing. They have fallen into the same trap as Paterno. Instead of looking at the community as a whole, they are indignant that their hero was knocked down.

Here, it was a ‘hero’ who chose to be ignorant to the plight of those who couldn’t fight back. Their ‘hero’ who didn’t think to follow up on concerns reported to him. Their ‘hero’, with a side glance, sent his thoughts and concerns towards those who had really suffered.

The entire situation makes me concerned for the future. Why not look at the greater picture? Why are we so self absorbed? I’m guessing the answers aren’t going to be be as rose-colored as we hoped. Then again, for you who are part of my generation, you knew that, right?

To the younger generation, the clue phone is ringing. Put down the blinders, and pick up the phone. Time to face the hard truth.