It's Showtime, folks

Steve Gilliard links to a story about Showtime's attempt to compete with HBO in the original series arena, and offers his own comments:

Showtime tends to focus on upgraded sitcoms and family dramas. The fact is that they have 12 weeks at most, and they don't pick their subjects with care.

Take the L Word. The ONLY reason to watch that show is to see straight actresses play at being lesbians. The writing is torpid, the characters unfocused, the situations barely credible. Compared to Curb your Enthusiasm, or Six Feet Under, it isn't interesting. Huff, which has seven Emmy nominations, is another weakly focused show. The main character is supposed to be troubled, but how is anyone's guess.

Look, money is no excuse. FX has three strong dramas, The Shield, Rescue Me and Nip/Tuck. Why? Because unlike Showtime, they took risks with creators and actors. Even the networks take more risks than Showtime. Gay couples do not make up for indifferent writing. Without strong writing, TV shows do not work. Gilmore Girls took what could have been a soapish situation, a single mom and her teen daughter, and made it interesting by creating strong characters and well written, consistant episodes. Too many TV shows have their characters change to fit the situation.

24 is another example of a risky concept bolstered by strong writing. Sure, the plots are often driven with coincidence, but the fast paced nature of the show and the skillful use of violence makes it compelling.

I agree about The L Word. Most if not all of you know about my continuing writings about a lesbian couple who, I hope, are lovable, heroic people whose "gayness" is not their most compelling feature.

I finally focused my objection to that show down to this: If not for the fact that they periodically take off their pants and start breathing heavy with each other, not one of the characters would be the slightest bit interesting to me.

And, candidly, there are other shows I can watch for that. Plus, I do have the internet, you know.

I disagree about Huff; I think that series develops the title character's troubles very nicely. But anyone who comes out in support of strong writing is going to have me as a friend.