tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post3302709617558108080..comments2024-03-28T23:03:57.917-04:00Comments on Doux Reviews: New Shows: February 8-14, 2014Billie Douxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141769005175631213noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-73185361815478108932014-02-16T06:48:22.462-05:002014-02-16T06:48:22.462-05:00Like Josie, I have spent a great deal of time this...Like Josie, I have spent a great deal of time this week thinking about Amazon's approach to its pilots. I like the fact that the company is taking a risk and that it sent so many shows to pilot.<br /><br />As the week progressed, however, I realized that all ten of the shows have something in common -- they have all been done before. With the exception of <i>Transparent</i>, each premise was something that I had seen many, many times.<br /><br /><i>Transparent</i> is obviously the riskiest of the five shows aimed at adults. I applaud the idea of a show that explores all aspects of human sexuality and do believe that it could engender a great series. Unfortunately, however, it feels as though whomever sends the ideas to pilot was concerned that a drama would be too much and so the show was styled as a comedy. Wow, was that a mistake.<br /><br />On a lighter note, I received an email pointing out to me that the Lennon offspring sitting next to Yoko Ono during the Beatles' special was Sean, not Julian. Oops. Sorry for the confusion.ChrisBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10843864158239536750noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-41754810460871439222014-02-15T17:28:01.049-05:002014-02-15T17:28:01.049-05:00Amazon's approach to pilots is interesting, an...Amazon's approach to pilots is interesting, and I can't quite figure out how I feel about it. <br /><br />On the plus side, I like the idea of fan-sourced feedback. There are so many stupid pilots, and networks waste so much money on shows that fans don't connect with. So it seems like a wise business model that will lead to the creation of more good shows. (That's grammatically awkward: more shows that are good.)<br /><br />However, this approach shows a real lack of faith in the ability of the creators to spin out a story that does more than just "grab" us instantly. There's an utter lack of commitment to artistic vision; the audience calls the shots.<br /><br />Is that a good thing for TV? I don't think so. TV is great because a few networks took risks and were willing to let slow-burning shows burn slowly. The result is good art and good business, because well-respected shows have staying power. <br /><br />It's interesting to think about which shows would succeed with the Amazon plan, and which wouldn't. Would <i>Buffy</i> have gotten enough up-votes? Would <i>Breaking Bad</i>? <i>Lost</i> would have (that pilot is awesome), but probably <i>FlashForward</i> would have, too. Josie Kafkahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17892717530356699008noreply@blogger.com