Wednesday, August 31, 2011

TV in the new-fangled age

I'm curious to hear what everyone thinks about television in the age of streaming. We could compare this to the old days, when if you didn't see a movie in theaters, you didn't see it. Similarly, back in the day, if you didn't see the show when it aired, too bad (think Back To The Future - what are reruns?).

Do the collective you think that the genre of television is improved or diminished by our now unlimited access? I've always enjoyed the experience of following a show, week to week, but I find it nearly impossible to maintain. Until recently, I thought my internet wasn't capable of streaming netflix, so I only ever watched tv on dvds or at other people's houses. Was I missing out on something? Or was I released?

Of course, we can also tie in ideas about instant gratification, shortened attention spans and less investment on the part of the creators. Or lower production costs, wider audience access, and more creator control?

For my part, I've always been a fan of tv, but as with many things I enjoy, I have trouble with the whole "moderation" thing. I binge watch. So I would like to be on the side of less east access, but who am I kidding.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Growing Up Through TV

*Roughly chronological and parallel to when they entered my life

The Cosby Show
Sesame Street
The Price is Right
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Saved by the Bell
Full House
Mr. Belvedere
Who's the Boss
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers
The Simpsons
The X-Files
Cops
NFL - Redskins
MLB - Orioles
Olympics - Winter and Summer
Batman: The Animated Series
Spiderman
X-Men
Beetle Borgs
Family Matters
Rugrats
Sabrina the Teenage Witch
Hangin' with Mr. Cooper
Boy Meets World
Step by Step
Sliders
Roseanne
M*A*S*H
Married with Children
Friends
Seinfeld
The Drew Carrey Show
Frasier
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Saturday Night Live
America's Funniest Home Videos
3rd Rock from the Sun
Just Shoot Me
Spin City
Digimon: Digital Monsters
Malcolm in the Middle
That 70's Show
Freaks and Geeks
Titus
Grounded For Life
Family Guy
Survivor
The Bachelor
Undeclared
TRL
Real World
Chappelle's Show
NBA - Wizards
The Office (U.S.)
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
South Park
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
House
C.S.I.
Arrested Development
Chuck
Scrubs
30 Rock
Entourage
Parks and Recreation
Californication
Community
The Wire
Psych
Louie
Firefly
Party Down
Sherlock