Television comparisons. How do you rate today's standards and TV shows

Australia
January 21, 2007 5:00pm CST
when compared with those of 10 years ago or 20-30 years ago? What differences do you see in TV series and serials? For example how would you compare/contrast The Sullivans, A Country Practice and Home and Away? I know I am quoting Australian Shows here, but they were seen in the UK and I think in the US. It isn't so much the shows themselves, as the changes we have seen. Maybe Americans could compare/contrast The Brady Bunch and Desperate Housewives and the British and other countries their own shows. The main point is: Do you think there has been an improvement or decline? Has it been in acting, content, morality, overall entertainment, or in what other ways?
2 people like this
3 responses
Wolfsbayne
@Wolfsbayne (314)
•
21 Jan 07
I think the quality of new shows has got better over the years, I tink storylines in british soaps such as emmerdale and hollyoaks have got better and I still enjoy watching neighbours, etc but I think quality of television as a whole has got worse. It seems whenever I look in the tv guide it is another repeat or they only make one or two episodes of a quality drama and rely on repeats that everyone has seen hundreds of times already to make their money. Everything seems to be reality tv driven too which is really annoying! When im told that in five years time I will be paying £150 a year for my television licence ($350-400) and I have to pay for sky because I cant get digital in my area and im sick of watching the same episodes on terrestial tv, it makes me mad! As for your main points: Acting - I think it has improved and we have some fantastic young actors out there. Content - about the same if not worse than in the past, all the same genre, etc. Morality - I think this has slipped a little with reality television Entertainment - gone down, im bored and switch channels.
1 person likes this
cloudwatcher
@cloudwatcher (6861)
• Australia
22 Jan 07
Thank you for your thorough comments. I am not familiar with the British shows you mention so I cannot comment on them. I'd certainly agree that the quality of acting has improved. I don't watch much TV because, as you say, there is nothing worth watching. I do watch the odd OLD movie, and I have noticed the acting is hammy, the effects are almost non existent and not very good - but the plus is that there is no swearing, no immorality (or maybe hinted at) and most have a good, wholesome storyline. I find that most movies or series I try to watch on TV I have to turn off, because of the fould language and indecent content. Thank you for sharing your views.
Gabs
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
21 Jan 07
As you know I don't watch that much TV anymore but my Daughter watches these Programs and I have to admit that now they are making these a bit more realistic to Live not like Fairy Tales anymore so I would say they have Improved The Acting is more natural now to at one stage you could tell it was just acting it was all false but yes I have to say that is more improved by all means
cloudwatcher
@cloudwatcher (6861)
• Australia
22 Jan 07
I'd agree the acting has improved tremendously. The actors today have the ability to pull you into the story with them. You live the story they are depicting. On the other hand, I find I can't watch the shows, because of the swearing and immorality. I believe the quality there has gone way down. Now, if The Sullivans was still going, I'd probably watch that! Thanks Gabs. Did you see the doc again? and get satisfaction?
Gabs
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
22 Jan 07
Seen Doc but no satisfaction at all will send you a pm later and explain
cloudwatcher
@cloudwatcher (6861)
• Australia
9 Feb 07
I've just heard that Callan, the English series with Edward Woodward is being released on DVD. Now, that is one show I did enjoy. I'll be looking for the DVD.
kathy77
@kathy77 (7485)
• Australia
22 Jan 07
In regards to comparing television shows I do believe that their has been a decline in the way they are producing these shows I used to love all of these shows but not any more I believe it is in the content of these shows.
cloudwatcher
@cloudwatcher (6861)
• Australia
22 Jan 07
Thanks Kathy. I'd have to agree. I hardly watch any TV but I wouldn't mind sitting down sometimes to a good movie or series and it is good to watch something while doing the ironing. I find this almost impossible, though, because the shows are so full of foul language, swearing and immorality, that I have to turn it off. I'm not criticising those who choose to watch, but it offends me. Thanks for your thoughts.