TV trends are always fun to try to predict and editorialize on, so who am I to deny you your chance to rake my opinions through the mud? Do your damndest Internet. That being said, I give you my thoughts on what’s currently red hot, cooling down, and downright lame in the world of mainstream television.
On The Rise: Zombies in your House, Watchin’ your TV, Eatin’ your Brains
If I could buy stock in Zombies, I totally would. That’s how hot they are. With an incredible resurgence back into pop culture, mostly due to continued critical acclaim for AMC’s The Walking Dead, zombies are the must-have addition to your Fall TV lineup. I mean did you see the Halloween episode of NBC’s Community? Incredible. Seriously – Zombies on TV! The awesome level is off the charts. Expect these guys and their brain-loving shenanigans to be around for quite some time, especially considering AMC just green lit the second season of The Walking Dead for a 13 episode run.
Don’t believe me? Refer to the chart below, from data I made up. Notice the direct correlation between how long zombies were actually on-screen and how much work I actually get done around my house? EXACTLY. Take that dirty laundry – be prepared to sit in that pile as long as this zombie train keeps on a’ rollin’.
And if that’s not enough for you, Zombies are making big waves on the independent circuit as well. Be sure to check out these gems: Zombie-American, Suck & Moan, and Vampire Zombie Werewolf.
Fame is Fleeting: TV Shows about Mundane Jobs, Over-hyped and Packaged for TV
Seriously, it’s a sad fact that not everything can be zombie related. If that were the case, than at least some of these shows might not have made this list. Every day I read about another series airing soon about some job I have no interest in, starring some pampered heiress, washed up celebrity, or family with too many kids. Sure, by themselves they’re great and provide some insight into an otherwise intangible career and life choice. That’s fine by me, but do I really need seven shows about hunting ghosts? Do I want to know what it’s like to be a parking enforcement officer? Absolutely not. I have precious little time to watch television, and the thought of attempting to live vicariously through the eyes of a forty year-old running around old castles shining flashlights at things and screaming just doesn’t do it for me. Besides, I’d much rather watch Dirty Jobs and get it all out of the way in one show.
Consult this handy pie chart to see what percentage of these shows are actually enlightening:
*must allow for a +/- 5% error to take into account the good episodes of Discovery’s Deadliest Catch or Ax Men.
Out the Door: High Concept TV Shows You’d Need to Take a College Class to Understand
You know those shows that are so focused and based within their own mythology that their long and mysterious story arcs lead to more questions than answers? Yeah, they upset me too. Lost, Fringe, The Event, Heroes, and FlashForward are all exemplary here. While they can produce some of the most awesome moments in television history, when their own audiences can’t make sense of the overbearing storylines and cryptic dead ends, the value is lost (pun intended). Lost was successful in that it captivated a large audience through a strong cast and great characters, but where did the story go? Maybe it’s a ploy to confuse the consumer so much they can’t help but consult the Internet for more answers? To prove my point, here’s a show that was created just to explain what Lost is about! Don’t get me wrong, I love compelling television, especially when writers take chances, but I can’t help but feel that if they grounded themselves in reality just a little bit more, answered some begged-for questions, and were able to round out a full season without any glaring plot holes, the TV-watching world would be a much happier place.
So there you have it, my take on what’s hot, not, and possibly coming to your TV sets very soon. Disagree? Let me know it by posting in the comments.
