"As they passed the rows of houses they saw through the open doors that men were sweeping and dusting and washing dishes, while the women sat around in groups, gossiping and laughing.
"What has happened?" the Scarecrow asked a sad-looking man with a bushy beard, who wore an apron and was wheeling a baby-carriage along the sidewalk.
"Why, we've had a revolution, your Majesty -- as you ought to know very well," replied the man; "and since you went away the women have been running things to suit themselves. I'm glad you have decided to come back and restore order, for doing housework and minding the children is wearing out the strength of every man in the Emerald City."
"Hm!" said the Scarecrow, thoughtfully. "If it is such hard work as you say, how did the women manage it so easily?"
"I really do not know," replied the man, with a deep sigh. "Perhaps the women are made of cast-iron.""
- L. Frank Baum, "The Land of Oz"
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Was reading in Entertainment Weekly today that the success of CBS' "The Good Wife" (starring Julianne Marguiles) has led to a rush of new projects with female leads. The whip-smart Hollywood execs reason more shows with female leads can capitalize on "The Good Wife"'s good ratings.
This is because Hollywood execs are non-contributing zeroes who think the viewers of shows like "The Good Wife" are the same kind of viewers as "Who Wants to Marry a Midget Chef with Octuplets?". Clearly we are drooling (feminist?) idiots who watch a show because a woman is the star.
I started watching "The Good Wife," which I would not be inclined to be interested in for the very reason the TV honchos are highlighting it -- it looks like a chick show, because the premise looked engaging. I kept watching it because the writing and acting are impeccable. It's a great character-driven legal thriller/family drama with stellar dialogue. I don't watch it because it has a female lead any more than I watch "Lost" because it has mostly male leads. I watch them because they're interesting to me and good.
I wonder if there's anyone on these television decision-making boards who is saying, "Um, why don't we just create compelling content?"
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Comments on "It's the Writing, Stupids":
2. Jared
- 12/01/2009 7:43 pm CST
Have you seen what's on television lately?
Well, yeah, but that's kind of my point. They're probably about to push into production a slew of second-rate "Good Wife" clones. Because they think viewers have suddenly developed a taste for female leads.
All of the junk on television is pretty much predicated on assuming people are stupid. (And a lot of them are. :-)
But a smart exec would know that the viewers of "The Good Wife" aren't dumb people who would keep watching a show just because there's a woman as the main character. They're insulting us. They should know it's successful b/c it's well made.
So if they want that kind of success, they should make well made shows.
When these "Good Wife" copycats come out and fail, I wonder if they'll decide we've changed our minds about female leads. :-)
3. Brian in Fresno
- 12/01/2009 7:53 pm CST
Yes, of course! ;-)
Do you know if "The Good Wife" is an American copy of a British TV show? So much of what is on TV now is a copy of what Britain has done. The Office, Dancing With the Stars, Big Brother, the cooking and fashion design "contests" and American Idol.
If it isn't I would gladly doff my hat, were i wearing one, for American originality!
4. Jared
- 12/01/2009 7:59 pm CST
I don't know, honestly. I do know it was inspired by some of the "true life" stories of high-profile politician's having affairs and their often marginalized wives. (John Edwards, the SC governor, et.al.)
The show begins with that premise (Chris Noth's D.A's affair goes public and ends up with him in jail, while his wife goes back to work as a lawyer) and the mystery of whether he was framed or what runs through the whole series, but the focus is not on that stuff, but rather on her case work, relationship with the kids, figuring out her new life, etc. Each ep has a mysterious legal case that she is defending, and they are really well done. I'm not really into the whole Law & Order type stuff, which this is kind of like, but the writing and unique approach to this show has grabbed me.
The producers are Ridley and Tony Scott (the moviemaking brothers responsible for some good films), so maybe that has something to do with it.
5. Brian in Fresno
- 12/01/2009 8:06 pm CST
I'm sure it does. I should make an effort to look up a couple of episode on my computer. Maybe they will eventually run it in series on one of the lesser networks the way Law and Order has been done.
The only first run show I watch, you well might hate me for this, is NCIS. I have a love hate relationship with the show and what they do with the characters. Denozo is too one dimensional and too much the clown.
Wow, I never thought I would be commenting this much about TV.
6. nhe
- 12/02/2009 7:46 am CST
It sounds good.....I'll check it out. I never gave it a glance for the same reason you mentioned - I glaze over at what looks like a "legal drama"........just like I glaze over at the thought of "Greys Anatomy" - been there, done that with "ER".
As for the question - I don't think people know they like a show because the writing is good, they just know they like it. "Fringe", "Flash Forward", and "V" all have done well likely because of their pseudo-sci fi links to "Lost" - which is probably the better written show, though I would never admit that out loud.
So your point is right I think - we always see more shows made that are similar "types" of shows to what people "like"....even if obviously it was the writing (not the premise or the type) that made people like the original to begin with.
7. Raindream
- 12/02/2009 8:06 am CST
World magazine featured this show a while back. They probably say who the writers are in that article. If I had to bet, I would bet these exec are jaded. They don't see the dialogue and acting as good (though some may). They see it as just another style. Maybe I'm wrong and they do recognize it as good writing, but I think they would argue that good writing is relative and unimportant. The compelling content you want, they believe, is found in pushing your marketable buttons.
Now, maybe I'm wrong about all of this, and the real jadedness or Hollywood stupidity comes in as behind-the-scenes politics. Maybe most shows are the way they are because they people putting them together are selfish back-stabbers and spineless butt-kissers. Or to put a positive spin on it, they are all infected with their own PR, in which everything no matter the quality is the best there is.
9. Bob Sacamento
- 12/02/2009 9:13 am CST
BiF,
The only first run show I watch, you well might hate me for this, is NCIS.
Yea! NCIS! For the first time in my life, I find myself actually liking the number 1 show in the country. And I was watching it before it became number 1! I like it because the mysteries are alot more cerebral than in other cop shows (except for probably Law and Order) and it is one of the few shows in the history of TV that has gotten the balance right between being plot-driven and character-driven. The comic relief is too often stupid, though, and you're right, DiNozo is one-dimensional.
10. Brian in Fresno
- 12/02/2009 9:39 am CST
One show that I have liked is Criminal Minds. It is a strong argument for the total depravity of man. It is about the behavioral science of the criminal mind. A group of behavioral science/cops from the FBI get called into cases to help local law enforcement get really not nice people that they can't get themselves.
11. jen
- 12/02/2009 10:07 am CST
Flash Forward is trying to be as good as LOST and is losing, imho. I quit watching it.
I love The Good Wife for precisely the reasons Jared does - it's well written, very well acted, compelling back plot and the front stories are interesting, too.
I used to watch Criminal Minds, but found it too disturbing to keep watching. And I ran out of time for all of the TV shows I like and had to ruthlessly cut a bunch from my agenda.
Leave a Comment:
I don't mean to be a jerk. But I would like to answer your questions with a question. Have you seen what's on television lately? ;-)
I would be watching "The Good Wife" if it didn't come on so late. Yeah, I know, I could watch it on my computer or I could get a Tivo thingy. But I'm old and cranky, so there!