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Post by marlonbrawndo on Mar 1, 2017 16:04:48 GMT
Were the old shows better than the new ones, or vice versa?
Are they about the same quality, but just different in nature?
How has more permissiveness in language and content affected the quality of the programming?
Is the acting better or worse?
Is the increasing number of entertainment providers a plus or a minus?
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Post by kuatorises on Mar 1, 2017 18:23:54 GMT
I think it could be argued that sitcoms are worse – or that there are less quality ones – but I'm not sure how anyone can make the case about the hour-long dramas. Were pretty much living in the Golden Age for television. There are a shitton of really good shows. There are so many, that you could be someone who watches a lot of television and still missing out on a dozen other popular shows.
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Post by mszanadu on Mar 1, 2017 18:30:58 GMT
These are all excellent questions here marlonbrawndo  . For me it would depend on a few of things here - 1. The Storyline and character development ( is it strong or weak ? ) . 2. The particular actors and actresses I liked and some grew up with over the years . 3. The settings and time periods of the storylines itself ( I tend to gravitate towards the classic and retro based type ones )  . 4. The music in these programs / films - again enjoy what is classic or retro based . And Finally ... 5. Things in a certain storyline , unique characters , or props / classic novelties that completely stand-out from the norm than other shows or movies do ( just that something that leaves a memorable impression to me here )  . Thanks so much marlonbrawndo for your subject post  . |
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Post by misternick on Mar 1, 2017 19:04:42 GMT
We're living in the golden age of T.V. it's gotten way better since around '99 Sopranos era. T.V. used to be the lesser stepchild of film but in many ways has surpassed film.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2017 19:18:12 GMT
Were the old shows better than the new ones, or vice versa? Are they about the same quality, but just different in nature? How has more permissiveness in language and content affected the quality of the programming? Is the acting better or worse? Is the increasing number of entertainment providers a plus or a minus? In general, TV shows aren't as good as when I was growing up. |
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Post by Lucy on Mar 1, 2017 19:39:33 GMT
Were the old shows better than the new ones, or vice versa? Are they about the same quality, but just different in nature? How has more permissiveness in language and content affected the quality of the programming? Is the acting better or worse? Is the increasing number of entertainment providers a plus or a minus? In general, TV shows aren't as good as when I was growing up. Agreed, I much prefer the comedy and cartoon shows from the 80s and 90s. Also, I miss when we had shows like Unsolved Mysteries, Rescue 911, and America's Most Wanted. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2017 20:08:19 GMT
Easily better, I'm saving the newer shows.
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Post by kuatorises on Mar 1, 2017 20:15:09 GMT
We're living in the golden age of T.V. it's gotten way better since around '99 Sopranos era. T.V. used to be the lesser stepchild of film but in many ways has surpassed film.For now, I think there are there are more TV shows at a higher quality than there are movies. Not only are you seeing television with better production value than ever, you're seeing it frequently too. |
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Post by marlonbrawndo on Mar 1, 2017 20:15:18 GMT
There have been some great responses here, already. Thanks!
It strikes me that it was somewhat one-sided that I ask you for your opinions without offering my own.
First, I have to say it's multi-faceted, and I honestly would need to do a back-and-forth type of answer myself, not just "Better or Worse."
For instance, I feel that greater permissiveness has given creators and writers more generous leeway in subject matter, language, and how graphically things like sex and violence are depicted. The downside of that, I think, is that it can be exploited, with comedies going for cheap, off-color laughs, and dramas competing as to who can be more lurid and shocking. It's artistic freedom vs the degradation of quality.
I think, overall, today' naturalistic acting is more believable than that which was common in the '50s, which carried over the highly-stylized acting of '40s films. But, some might prefer that more mannered, other-worldly style.
Certainly, technology and artistic evolution have enabled current directors to create a sense of realism of just about anything they can imagine, without its having to exist in physical form. Better? It can be debated.
Comedy is my favorite form, generally. I have to say, (echoing my parents' generation...yikes!), that I have a growing admiration for how incredibly funny the earlier comedy shows could be, working within the much stricter guidelines of the past. Lucy's chocolate assembly line scene, or Jack Benny's "Your money or your life" bit, anybody?
I really would like to know your thoughts. I'm just getting acquainted in this new neighborhood.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2017 20:34:38 GMT
Over all i would say better.
I guess sitcoms would be the exception. I mean i can`t really think about any sitcoms today that are better than Blackadder or Cheers.
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Post by fangirl1975 on Mar 1, 2017 20:42:06 GMT
It's gotten worse. I frequently have to turn to Me TV, Cozi TV, or TCM for quality TV viewing.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2017 20:43:49 GMT
We're living in the golden age of T.V. it's gotten way better since around '99 Sopranos era. T.V. used to be the lesser stepchild of film but in many ways has surpassed film.For now, I think there are there are more TV shows at a higher quality than there are movies. Not only are you seeing television with better production value than ever, you're seeing it frequently too. But there are too few such good production and too much insipid, unoriginal writing. Plus, and this is what really bothers me, there seems to be a dumbing-down of the audience. So-called comedies like That 70s Show and The Big Bang Theory, crammed with obvious laugh tracks, aren't funny. They're written predictably, sophomorically, and just plain badly. I apologize for offending some here, but the truth is the truth. |
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Post by marlonbrawndo on Mar 1, 2017 22:52:30 GMT
fangirl1975 You said: It's gotten worse. I frequently have to turn to Me TV, Cozi TV, or TCM for quality TV viewing.Couldn't we hedge a little, and agree that maybe TV has at least improved in the sense that there is now enough diversity available that you can find programs you enjoy, despite much of the new product not being to your taste?
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Post by Deleted on Mar 2, 2017 7:48:21 GMT
Well since I grew with the beginnings of TV (born in the early 50's) and have watched it go back & forth. Each decade has had their share of really good TV and really bad TV. I suppose it is subjective. What I think is brilliant might be rubbish to another.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 2, 2017 8:26:40 GMT
Cant be serious. 1000x better. Unlimited options. Its the golden age of television. Possibly as a consequence film is really down however.
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Post by Utpe on Mar 2, 2017 8:45:56 GMT
Worse.
Two words: Reality television.
There's just too much of it nowadays. I'd like to think that Big Brother (2000) started this insipid trend, and has been on nothing but a downward spiral since then.
Granted, a bunch of shows nowadays are better in terms of visual quality, and the FCC being more lax on what can be seen and heard compared to the 1980s and 1990s. But, I'd like to think we were a bit more imaginative 15+ years ago.
I feel like a handful of shows that I watch are just basic carbon copies of ones that I grew up with. Also, with the expansion of cable and streaming services over the years, there's no limit as to how many can be produced. It's always about competition, more so than it used to be.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 2, 2017 9:42:56 GMT
Also, with the expansion of cable and streaming services over the years, there's no limit as to how many can be produced. hmm... |
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Post by ashverses on Mar 2, 2017 13:38:03 GMT
Can I say it's gotten both better and worse. There are so many more choices than there used to be, so there are a lot more good shows, and a lot more bad shows.
In my opinion, the good outweigh the bad. I can come to places like this and get recommendations on what to watch, and what to skip. There was no Game of Thrones, Walking Dead (which is very hit or miss, but come on, compare it to shows in the 80s or 90s), Vikings, People. Vs., Fargo.....There was nothing on TV that resembled these shows. Sure, you have crap like Big Bang, That 70's show, Kevin Can Wait...but you had more of those in the 80s/90s. There is only one show from that time period that I have rewatched; X-Files.
Hands Down, better
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Post by DSDSquared on Mar 2, 2017 13:42:12 GMT
There is no comparison and anyone who says otherwise is fooling themselves. The past 15 years have been the golden age of television and very few shows from before 1999 can even compare. Sure, there were some classics like The X-Files and Twin Peaks, but for the most part TV was the minor leagues and movies were the majors. That has shifted now. Now we have insanely financed shows with quality writers and actors that are basically long movies. We have had The Sopranos, The Wire, The Shield, Breaking Bad, Game of Thrones, Spartacus, Rome, Justified, Homeland, 24, Lost, House of Cards, Narcos, etc. The list could go on for a while.
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Post by marlonbrawndo on Mar 2, 2017 15:09:37 GMT
Well since I grew with the beginnings of TV (born in the early 50's) and have watched it go back & forth. Each decade has had their share of really good TV and really bad TV. I suppose it is subjective. What I think is brilliant might be rubbish to another. Yes, any reply is bound be subjective, of course. But I'd really like to hear the opinion of someone like you, who has witnessed the whole history of TV. What do you think? Not in just a simple "better or worse" judgement, but what aspects seem like and improvement, and which a decline? You're better qualified to compare than most. |
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