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This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
The State of TV
Because it's Sunday and because I want to make it to the line before Our Commander-In-Chief, it's time for a little editorializing about TV.
The WGA strike that will be ending soon has shed a light on how vulnerable TV (and LA) is to disagreements about how this industry should function. While movies have always benefited, unworthily (Meet The Spartans anyone?), as art that exists at a level separate from commercialization, TV has always been the stuff that you watch in between the commercials. It's because of these commercials whose cost is incorporated into the price of the products and services advertised, and their competitors, that justifies the idea that watchers of television are direct payers for the programming that is broadcast, not to mention your cable box charges, etc. Unless you are on some kind of commune or are some kind of anti-car vegan (read: anti-American) fascist, you help pay for what's on TV, therefore you have the right to demand better product for your dollar and that's what I'm doing here.
After lambasting yet-another crappy Academy Awards ceremony or a decidedly sub-par offering from Aaron Sorkin you gentle readers have counseled me to "just don't watch it" but to not comment on the investment of my funds seems like a cop out to me. It's my pledge to you to not roll over and just take it because it's all that's on. Because of the WGA strike and the hold on production we're in for a rough Spring and Summer. If you thought we were in a reality-TV Hell already, then, my friends, we've descended a few more circles because that pathetic excuse for programming is going to take up even more real estate. Also, the networks are desperate to proclaim every minute as "new" by resorting to such charades as bringing over dumbed-down versions of programs from their sister cable networks. [I'm prepared to issue a fatwah for every adulterated episode of "Dexter" that appears on CBS this year because that show is just too good to eff around with.]
Sponsored message
Yes, we are headed for an economic recession but we're also headed for a recession of good content on TV. All we have to look forward to is shortened seasons of "Lost" and other good programs, lots of reality programming, and a much smaller selection of new shows this Fall. We're here for you, we will hunt down new shows and reveal the best moments of TV to watch each evening but now it's a lot more difficult - the networks certainly aren't doing anything to staunch the flow of their annual loss of +7% of viewership. It's enough to make you buy premium channels like HBO.
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
