The trouble with midseason replacements – Quibbling Siblings

Bob:

It’s getting to be that time of year again. More and more new shows are popping up on the network schedules as midseason replacements hit the airwaves. I remember a time only a few years back when a new show in April or May would have been unheard of. With the rising popularity of both reality programming and the cable channels, networks have been putting out more product than ever. I wonder if this is a good thing, though.

On one hand, we’re getting more shows, so it’s great. The problem is I find myself missing out on a lot of them because my schedule is already booked up with existing shows. I was very curious about Awake and had the first two episodes on my DVR for a few weeks before I had to just admit that I wasn’t going to watch them. I’ve been hearing amazing things about Touch, but just haven’t gotten around to checking it out. It’s like I already have too many shows to watch. The fear is that I might be missing something better than the shows I’m already committed to.

How do you feel about all these shows popping up to interfere with your schedule?

Debbie:

Yeah, I find the scheduling very odd. To me, if a show gets picked up for a half season, then you fill the empty spaces in January and stop screwing up everyone who watches TV. These April shows are tough to keep track of! All I can think is that it is a way for the networks to give more shows a chance. But then we’re back to the age-old argument that more crap gets picked up so less shows last as long as they should.

To continue on my weird-timing rant, I used to love that the TNT and USA shows would come on during the summer and the winter hiatus, like clockwork, to fill the void of new programming from the networks. That’s all screwed up now too. Leverage doesn’t premiere until the middle of July, and Psych is ending its season this week.

Wait — what was the original question? No, don’t bother with Awake, and yes, definitely check out Touch; so far, it’s a keeper. That is what you asked, right?

Bob:

Well, those were two shows that I was interested in, but I wasn’t really looking for an opinion, no.

I just think it’s odd, especially if you look at a show like Bent. I was kind of curious about it, but it’s already over! I didn’t even get a chance to check out the premiere and the entire season (more than likely, the entire series) is done. It seems like a waste of time to go back and check it out at this point.

USA’s change in scheduling has really bothered me too. I have enjoyed some of their fluffy shows, but always as a fun diversion during the summer. I was especially annoyed when Royal Pains, a show that really belongs in the summer (it takes place on the Hamptons for crying out loud!) popped up during the winter with a few new episodes. Once that happened, I just stopped watching the show.

Debbie:

No, I know you weren’t asking for opinions on Awake and Touch … but giving one was a lot easier than answering what you really did ask! Here, I’ll talk around it a bit more:

Can you think of a good reason for the Bent thing? Was it simply pulled? Are they trying for a BBC short-season model? Is there a reason we’re missing for the scheduling that would make sense? Can we not break up the calendar into equal parts so that the rest of us can properly schedule our lives? So many questions. …

Bob:

Nice talking around the point.

I wish I had the answer to those questions. On second thought, that would make me a network programmer, and based on most of the decisions they make, I don’t think I want to be like them at all.

Clacked by Bob Degon
on Apr 12, 2012 @ 11:00 EST5EDT