Can you tell me why there are ...
Question: Can you tell me why there are so many talent-based shows this summer? Especially on Wednesdays. I looked in the listings sections, and there are at least four talent shows at 8 pm/ET on Wednesday. Don't people know that if they shove the same thing down our throats, we'll eventually get tired of it? I say we cut it back to only one show on Wednesdays at 8:
So You Think You Can Dance. What's your take on this phenomenon?
Answer: It is ridiculous, isn't it? But cloning comes naturally to the networks. Look at the glut of procedural dramas. Think back to all of the
Friends knockoffs. If something works, all of the networks want to get in the game, innovation and creativity be damned. And nothing works on a grander scale than
American Idol, so why be surprised when a tidal wave of amateur-hour talent contests invades the lineup, especially in the summer? It's almost comical when you see
Dance go up against
America's Got Talent,
Rock Star: Supernova and now
The One, all on the same night. I'm with you that this season of
Dance is a keeper, although I also get the visceral appeal of
Rock Star. (ABC's
The One premiered while I've been at press tour, and there's no time to sample reality out here, so I have no opinion on that one except to say it's probably one too many.) As for
America's Got Talent, maybe it has improved in the last few installments now that they're past the ludicrous audition stage. But from what I've seen in the first rounds, what claptrap. And without question, the worst and most laughable TV judges ever.
