Counter Counter Point: I'll Wait For You, TV, I Really Will.

Ok, ok, break it up, boys. To your separate corners! The last couple of days have been way too tense here on the Blogulator. Chris, how dare you turn your back on TV, the only friend who's been there for you through the good times and the bad??!!! Can you not be there for a friend who's a little down on his luck? And Qualler, how dare you get us all hot and bothered at work with sexy photos of that typewriter in a compromising position next to a scantily-clad Tina Fey?!

Now let's all take a deep breath and remember that it's been less than a month since the writer's strike ended. Two funny episodes of SNL is a start, but does not make TV good again. Let's also remember that bad television shows are not a new phenomenon, as evidenced by the fact that Two and a Half Men (a multiple Emmy Award-winning sitcom) was created well before the writer's strike was even a twinkle in Tina Fey's eye. Or remember that Friends spin-off show about Joey moving to California that lasted like half a season? (I think it was just called Joey). Or how about ER - and TONS of people watch that one. I mean think about the percentage of new television shows out there before the strike that you actually watched and thought were good.

The point is, I think you are both jumping the gun and trying to put titles on it before we even know what IT is. With all of the time it takes to get production rolling again, of course we're going to get sub-par TV dramas. And having stockpiled almost four months worth of material, of course we're going to get knock-out sketch comedy.

This pop culture limbo we're in is simply the workplace equivalent of the Monday after a holiday weekend (only, the writers have just come back from a four-month weekend). I mean think about it, when you get to work on Monday after having three days off, do you buckle down and immediately put your nose the the grindstone? No. You drink your coffee. You read the paper. You surf the internet. You have to get caught up on all the slacking off so you can start your work day right. Same for the writers. Great new seasons of shows with high expectations don't just happen overnight. And though we may have to wait until fall for the likes of Big Love or Heroes (makes nervous face and questions whether or not it's cool to like Heroes), some of our favorites will be returning to network television as early as this spring. And while there will always be an influx of bad TV, we KNOW these ones will be great:

30 Rock
Return Date: April 10th
Time: Thursday, 7:30 p.m. central

I can't wait to see what crazy antics sketch-comedy diva, Tracy Jordan, has cooked up while this show has been on hiatus. And what ridiculous and unrealistic task will boss, Jack Donaghy ask head writer, Liz Lemon to do this time?

Predicted Grade: A+++


The Office
Return Date: April 10th
Time: Thursday, 8 p.m. central

The show that perfectly mixes comedy and heart. Yeah, it was starting to lose its edge pre-strike when Steve Carell's character started caring about people, but I'm so invested in the characters and the story at this point that I don't even care.

Predicted Grade: A-

Dexter
Date: THIS Sunday!!!
Time: 10 p.m.
Though it may not be a new season, the fact that Dexter will be the first cable series to air an entire season on network television is amazing. I was shocked when I read that CBS was actually going to carry this show. Of all the cable shows that could have crossed over this is, in my opinion, the most risky.

Predicted Grade: A++

Now, I am as eager as the next guy to start watching brand new episodes of my favorite shows, but let's not rush the writers. Let the Grey's Anatomy crew pump out sub-standard material. The shows I care about need a little time and TLC to get it right - and frankly, I'm willing to wait for it.

This entry was posted by Lady Amy, on Monday, March 03, 2008. You can leave your response.