The Evolution and Critiques of Modern Television Programming
Modern television has undergone significant changes in recent decades, with notable shifts in episode frequency, commercial breaks, and production quality. Critics often highlight these changes as they perceive a decline in the quality and viewing experience of today's television shows. This article explores these critiques and discusses the impact on viewers and the industry.
The Decline in Episode Frequency and Season Waiting
One of the most common criticisms in today's television landscape is the reduced frequency of episodes per season. Many modern shows release episodes at a quarterly pace, with 12 to 13 episodes per season, significantly less than the approximately 40 to 45-minute episodes that were standard in the 1980s.
The intermission between seasons also stretches out, sometimes extending to well over a year. This can be frustrating for fans who are eagerly awaiting new content. Additionally, the wait can dilute the impact of the story arcs and character development, which are often spread across multiple episodes and seasons.
The Impact of Increased Commercial Breaks
The increasing number of commercials in modern TV shows has become a significant issue. With commercial breaks often lasting longer, the actual programming time decreases, leading to a shorter viewing experience. This not only detracts from the narrative flow but also affects the overall viewer engagement and satisfaction.
The insertion of advertisements during critical moments or climactic scenes can be particularly jarring. Moreover, the frequent and intrusive nature of these commercials can break the immersion and disrupt the flow of the plot, leaving viewers feeling agitated and dissatisfied.
Reduced Attention to Opening and Closing Credits
The hurried and often rushed presentation of the end credits signifies a decline in the artistic touch applied to television productions. Traditional shows had time to present their credits with the same care and attention as the rest of the episode. However, modern shows cram end credits into short clips at the bottom or corner of the screen, minimizing the time for viewers to appreciate the credits and the work that went into the show.
Moreover, this trend has also impacted the opening credits, with fewer shows featuring memorable and impactful theme songs. The absence of these thematic elements often leaves viewers without a strong introduction or thematic hook for the episode.
The Decline in Show Time and Production Quality
The reduction of actual show time to accommodate more commercials has had a direct impact on the overall production value of modern TV shows. In the 1980s, a one-hour show typically ran for 49 to 50 minutes. Today, this has decreased to an average of 40 to 41 minutes, falling short of what viewers were accustomed to in the past.
This trend has led to a polarizing effect, where the decrease in episode duration does not necessarily translate into better or more content. Instead, it can create an impression of a rushed and incomplete narrative, leading to viewer dissatisfaction. Similarly, arc-based shows that get canceled prematurely can leave fans feeling let down, akin to buying a book with a missing chapter.
The Role of 3D Animation in Television
Advancements in 3D animation technology have transformed the way cartoons and anime are created. These advancements were initially seen as an opportunity to improve the overall quality of animation. However, in practice, many studios have instead opted to use 3D as a lazy shortcut, often leading to a decline in production quality and attention to detail.
Instead of leveraging the benefits of 3D animation to create visually stunning and intricate productions, many studios have resorted to using it to churn out more content at a faster rate, simply to satisfy consumer demand. This has resulted in a noticeable degradation of the overall production quality, with issues such as graphical aberrations becoming more prevalent.
The Comparison Fallacy in Television
The tendency to compare today's television offerings to successful movie franchises is another critique often levied. This comparison can be detrimental, as it often results in unfair judgments and missed opportunities. For example, the Netflix adaptation of The Witcher faced negative reviews and low ratings due to comparisons to other successful fantasy series that had already established their characters and tropes.
This pattern of comparing current works to pre-existing and successful franchises can extend beyond the realm of television to other mediums and aspects of life. This constant comparison can harm the potential success of new content and prevent audiences from discovering and embracing quality works that might otherwise be overlooked.
Ultimately, viewers and the industry as a whole need to reassess these biases and unfair standards. By doing so, they can appreciate and support a wider range of shows and creators, allowing for a richer and more diverse television landscape.