What do you think about the ...
Question: What do you think about the cancellation of
7th Heaven at the end of this season? Personally, I think it should've been canceled several years ago. In the first half of its 10 seasons it was actually about family and morality and whatnot, but now it's completely different. The whole premise to every show is a couple of the characters talking, usually with one of the Camdens listening in and basically hearing what they want to hear, which is not the whole truth. After that, they spend the rest of the show talking behind each others' backs until someone finally says something. I don't know about you, but I like a show with more than just one story line. What ever happened to good, quality, family programming?
Answer: The family drama is an endangered species, no question, but I contend it's still alive and well on
Everwood. I'll let your opinion stand, because I don't watch
7th Heaven consistently (although I will be doing some homework soon for an upcoming column). But taking the historical long view, it's rare for any family show, drama or comedy, to sustain its freshness and appeal over an entire decade, in part because the kids who were so charming once upon a time have grown up (not always into very good actors) or grown away (i.e.,
Barry Watson and
Jessica Biel) and the show strains to recapture the original magic, often by shoehorning new characters and kids into the family mix. But here's an alternate point of view, from Anthony:
"Regarding your words about 7th Heaven in the Nov. 28 column: I have heard so many people say that Heaven has lost its initial charm, but this 10th season is unbelievable. The writing (or parental lecturing) is fabulous and right on par with episodes from Seasons 1 and 2. And one thing I cannot stand is when people compare 7th Heaven with Everwood. Yes, they are two family shows and they attract the same audience, but Heaven is not, nor was it ever, meant to be beautifully scripted and acted, like Everwood. Heaven is supposed to be witty and (arguably) corny, although it is my all-time favorite show. That is what we all have loved about it through the years. Yes, Everwood is a great series, but Heaven is meant to preach and make you feel good rather than just tell a story. So your comment that Everwood's 'acting and writing runs circles around Heaven' isn't properly directed. Two similar shows. Two terrific shows. Two very different ways of presenting family quality — and both do a stellar job."
Fair enough. I've already made it clear where my sympathies lie. To get back to the original point, though, I think it's time for Heaven to sign off, although I wouldn't be surprised if WB finds a way to spin it off or clone it in an attempt to keep that considerable and loyal audience.
