Why is it?

[HeyWayne]

That good tv programmes are always short runs?

ie: Idiot Abroad, Spooks, My Name is Earl and so on.

Yet the pap that is X-phincter, Strictly Gone Dancing, Big Bother and alike seem to go on forever?

[northepaul]

That good tv programmes are always short runs?

ie: Idiot Abroad, Spooks, My Name is Earl and so on.

Yet the pap that is X-phincter, Strictly Gone Dancing, Big Bother and alike seem to go on forever?

Couldnt agree more! Sherlock is another one that springs to mind.

[scarey55]

I totally agree Wayne. But the reason that they are the good programmes is probably because they don't drag on like some others I could mention.

[taff]

chloroform for the masses

[pauco]

But the good thing Wayne, whilst those crap programmes are on, it's more time reading those catalogues for next years planting. Or even re-reading this months GYO, just in case something was missed lol.

paul.

[chris]

also flashforward was quite good, but just one season. Grrr

must admit though, I've avoided xfactor, and all the like shows this year \o/

[Brengirl]

The obvious answer to me is that you are in the minority viewing group. The power is with the people

[northepaul]

No its classic 'bread and circus' syndrome.

[Two_Sheds]

The obvious answer to me is that you are in the minority viewing group.

That's the one for me

[Pies]

Good programes cost money and dont bring in any significant revenue or tv audience,shite programes are err cheap to make and bring in lots of money and tv audience.

Look at films books etc the critically acclaimed never seem to be popular with the masses

[Hilary B]

Yep, it's the 'majority like the tripe because they don't need to think' syndrome. TV gets it worse than most other formats. 'Reality' TV, and the elimination competition format are also relatively cheap to produce, compared to interesting fiction/documentaries.
Films aren't far behind, but there are popular films that can also be both interesting and well made, because the film makers are telling a story, so they HAVE to have some sort of 'plot' most of the time.
When it comes to books, some people want a story with a plot, some want other stuff, and it always seem to me that the critics tend to like the ones that either don't have a plot, or don't actually have an ending....

[Two_Sheds]

Yep, it's the 'majority like the tripe because they don't need to think' syndrome.

I seriously think TV might be addictive, starting at an early age. If you are over-exposed to it as a child, perhaps it fires off neurons in your brain (like nicotine & alcohol does) and then in the future you get "good feelings" from getting your fix of trashy TV.

I can't think of any other explanation for it. Mr TS, for one, spends 50 hrs a week watching the goggle box. He'll watch ANYTHING. He also can't turn it off, it has to always be on in the background (just like his Dad before him.)

[Glutton4...]

Have him shot, TS!

*Thinks, I may have said that before!

Mr. G is similarly addicted. Luckily, he no longer turns it on, and then goes out. That one drove me mental. He will, however, at bed time, finish watching a program, get up from the sofa, take his cup/glass/ashtray through to the kitchen, go to the loo, wash his hands, clean his teeth, then go back in the lounge and turn the TV off!!! All this while I'm trying to get to sleep.

Is this turning into a rant thread!?

[Florence Fennel]

It's the American "real" crime shows I can't stand.
Oh and Oprah and Gerry Springer and Jeremy Kyle.
Trouble is, himself loves them - inbetween any sport you can think of.
I don't mind X, Strictly and Let Me Out, it's true, you don't have to think about it and that's good sometimes.

[zazen999]

Mr Z used to be like that until I got him on Faceache and now it's scrabble - consulting dictionaries all evening and thank goodness the TV is mostly off now. YAY.

However his 13rd old DD has just discovered 'Stenders. Groan.