Why television shows lose their appeal over time

News Type: Other — Sun Apr 6, 2008 12:26 PM EDT

entertainment, television, stars, quality, reality, production, programs, originality

No matter how good the programme, it is inevitable that the best television shows will lose their appeal over time for four main reasons:

First, it is difficult for producers and programme makers to sustain the originality and quality of a production due to a natural loss in creativity over time. One can only think up so much material around a new theme. Soon, the programme becomes repetitive and lacking in new ideas. That is why so many good programmes do no survive more than two or three series because of the natural law of diminishing returns when too many storylines have to be found.

Second, every TV programme reflects the culture, naunces, ethics, beliefs and social protocol of the time. TV shows largely reflect how people think and behave and what they value. For example, right now, reality shows like Big Brother and American Idol are the rage. In a few years time, something else will take their place when the public gets tired of them. As our values change, and what we seek to entertain us also changes, those programmes will lose their appeal. So, as society changes, so will the programmes on TV, if they are not to appear old fashioned and outdated. They have to move with us and our development. They have to truly reflect our interests for us to want to watch them.

Third is due to natural human evolution. As we evolve, the programmes that were very appealing when we were younger cease to be appealing as we get older because maturity brings a desire for different experiences to match our new state. I used to watch the very popular Australian soap opera, Neighbours, for years when it first came to Britain. It resonated with me as a younger person and reflected life in an escapist way. Then suddenly I stopped watching it ten years ago, without knowing why and haven't watched it since. Yet it is still the same programme, and is probably updated to reflect current audiences too, but I have simply outgrown it.

Finally, nothing lasts forever. For television to retain its appeal, it has to be innovative, fresh, creative and relevant. If any of those elements are missing, audiences won't be impressed. No matter how great the programme, it will only appeal for so long because, in time, it would cease to innovative, cease to be fresh and, above all, cease to be relevant to public demands.

8 Votes
Enjoy this article? Help vote it up the 'Vine.

Published to:

Ms CYPRAH's Column, All of Newsvine
Groups: Soap Suds., TV Lounge
Regions: none

What's this?

Who's leading the conversation?

This visualization below allows you to see the impact that each user has on the current conversation. The top row contains the group of users who have had the most impact, the 2nd row the group of users who have had the 2nd most impact (et cetera). Users with similar impact are grouped together, and the average score of the group is shown to the left of the group. The author of the article is also shown on the left, in their corresponding group. Each user's score is based on the number of comments the user has made plus the number of votes their comments have received. The scores are calculated relative one another, so while their absolute value is not particularly important, their relative difference does indicate a larger difference in impact on the conversation.

{"commentId":1661104,"authorDomain":"mscyprah"}

Ms CYPRAH

Third is due to natural human evolution. As we evolve, the programmes that were very appealing when we were younger cease to be appealing as we get older because maturity brings a desire for different experiences to match our new state.

{"commentId":1661104,"threadId":"246023","contentId":"1414157","authorDomain":"mscyprah"}

3 votes

#1 - Sun Apr 6, 2008 12:26 PM EDT

{"commentId":1661475,"authorDomain":"divbyzero"}

Division by Zero

I was tired of "reality" shows when they first began. I wish others would come to the same realization. Unfortunately, reality tv is cheap to produce so we're likely stuck with it for quite some time.

{"commentId":1661475,"threadId":"246023","contentId":"1414157","authorDomain":"divbyzero"}

3 votes

#2 - Sun Apr 6, 2008 3:31 PM EDT

{"commentId":1661837,"authorDomain":"mscyprah"}

Ms CYPRAH

Unfortunately, reality tv is cheap to produce so we're likely stuck with it for quite some time.

You are so right, but not only is it cheap to produce, but every time someone rings, they get the money! So those will go on for a long time. :o(

{"commentId":1661837,"threadId":"246023","contentId":"1414157","authorDomain":"mscyprah"}

3 votes

#2.1 - Sun Apr 6, 2008 6:23 PM EDT

{"commentId":1661635,"authorDomain":"seward"}

Sandie Seward

Reality shows are absolute rubbish. With regards to Neighbours, I also used to watch it, but it became full of younger characters , and I was getting older, and suddenly found myself unable to relate to much of what was going on.

Some older programmes I still enjoy include "Minder", "The Sweeney", The Professionals", and of course, "Coronation Street", "Emmerdale", and "Eastenders".

I stopped watching "The Bill" many years ago, but still try to catch "Heartbeat".

Two older American shows I used to like are "Sergent Bilko", and "M.A.S.H."

(Clipped to "Soapsuds" Group.)

{"commentId":1661635,"threadId":"246023","contentId":"1414157","authorDomain":"seward"}

4 votes

#3 - Sun Apr 6, 2008 4:57 PM EDT

{"commentId":1661649,"authorDomain":"divbyzero"}

Division by Zero

I've found that as I've grown older my tastes in television have matured. I've even found myself enjoying reruns of shows that my parents liked (& I hated!) as I was growing up. There is definitely such a thing as outgrowing a show as well as growing into one.

{"commentId":1661649,"threadId":"246023","contentId":"1414157","authorDomain":"divbyzero"}

4 votes

#3.1 - Sun Apr 6, 2008 5:04 PM EDT

{"commentId":1661841,"authorDomain":"mscyprah"}

Ms CYPRAH

There is definitely such a thing as outgrowing a show as well as growing into one.

Absolutely, Division, otherwise we would not grow from one stage of life to the other. We are always changing, so it is natural that our tastes will change too. It's just that change is never dramatic unless there is a crisis. It tends to creep up on instead.

{"commentId":1661841,"threadId":"246023","contentId":"1414157","authorDomain":"mscyprah"}

4 votes

#3.2 - Sun Apr 6, 2008 6:26 PM EDT

{"commentId":1661910,"authorDomain":"mscyprah"}

Ms CYPRAH

Some older programmes I still enjoy include "Minder", "The Sweeney", The Professionals", and of course, "Coronation Street", "Emmerdale", and "Eastenders".

So did I, Sandie, they were great. For some reason I haven't watched any soap since 2004. Not sure why, but that's life for you. Apart from Coronation Street, which I have never been a fan of, I can swear by all the others. I had some great times watching The Professionals and Eastenders, in particular. I see they are reintroducing Ricky and Bianca! Almost tempted to watch again with them back in just to hear her say....Rickaaaay! ha ha

{"commentId":1661910,"threadId":"246023","contentId":"1414157","authorDomain":"mscyprah"}

4 votes

#3.3 - Sun Apr 6, 2008 6:58 PM EDT

{"commentId":1663243,"authorDomain":"figuresofstick"}

figuresofstick

ah I remember when I was young thinking so many shows were "cool" and now just 4 years later I'm thinking they're completely idiotic and pathetic. TV is seriously boring to me now. I would rather sit on the computer. at least I'm using my brain slightly more on the computer than when I'm watching TV.

{"commentId":1663243,"threadId":"246023","contentId":"1414157","authorDomain":"figuresofstick"}

4 votes

#4 - Mon Apr 7, 2008 8:46 AM EDT

{"commentId":1663966,"authorDomain":"mscyprah"}

Ms CYPRAH

TV is seriously boring to me now. I would rather sit on the computer. at least I'm using my brain slightly more on the computer than when I'm watching TV.

Ditto for me with that one, figureofstick. Ditto. The vast learning world on the computer draws me any day. Furthermore, I actually watched a couple of my favourites on the BBC on the computer last night so I can have the best of both worlds. :o)

{"commentId":1663966,"threadId":"246023","contentId":"1414157","authorDomain":"mscyprah"}

4 votes

#4.1 - Mon Apr 7, 2008 11:35 AM EDT

{"commentId":1666731,"authorDomain":"figuresofstick"}

figuresofstick

haha. Yeah if I ever watch TV these days it's while I'm on the computer 2 monitors. with one displaying whats on tv (From my TV Tuner Card in my PC) and the other my conversations and websites I'm browsing.

Research claims that people are becoming fatter and fatter because they spend so much time watching tv. However if they removed trash that attracted people to the TV in the first place then people would go and actually do something. It's kind of counter-productive what they're doing.

{"commentId":1666731,"threadId":"246023","contentId":"1414157","authorDomain":"figuresofstick"}

3 votes

#4.2 - Tue Apr 8, 2008 12:26 AM EDT

{"commentId":1667181,"authorDomain":"seward"}

Sandie Seward

I know people who from the time they get up in the morning, to last thing at night, their televisions are never switched off. They spend hours watching crappy Daytime Programmes. Then they wonder why they're putting weight on, or why they feel so miserable.

I tell them to switch it off, and either go out for a walk, or read a book instead. The trouble is, go into a lot of homes, and you will never see any books, just silly trite magazines full of "celebrity" news.

{"commentId":1667181,"threadId":"246023","contentId":"1414157","authorDomain":"seward"}

2 votes

#5 - Tue Apr 8, 2008 6:56 AM EDT

{"commentId":1667448,"authorDomain":"mscyprah"}

Ms CYPRAH

I tell them to switch it off, and either go out for a walk, or read a book instead. The trouble is, go into a lot of homes, and you will never see any books, just silly trite magazines full of "celebrity" news.

Tell me about it, Sandie. I usually tell them to get a computer. Where in the world do we all have such a vast array of knowledge and connections waiting for us? Awesome.

{"commentId":1667448,"threadId":"246023","contentId":"1414157","authorDomain":"mscyprah"}

2 votes

#5.1 - Tue Apr 8, 2008 8:44 AM EDT

{"commentId":1667800,"authorDomain":"seward"}

Sandie Seward

The Internet is truly a wonderful source of information, and it saddens me when I see people abusing it.

By "abusing it", I mean using it to look at "Adult" sites and Gambling sites.

I spent hours yesterday doing some research on snails, and found out some wonderful new info that I shall include in a future article for Newsvine about these much overlooked little marvels of Nature.

{"commentId":1667800,"threadId":"246023","contentId":"1414157","authorDomain":"seward"}

2 votes

#5.2 - Tue Apr 8, 2008 10:11 AM EDT

{"commentId":1669151,"authorDomain":"mscyprah"}

Ms CYPRAH

I take a slightly different view on that. As long as they are adult sites and do not involve children, it doesn't matter to me what they choose to do with their time, so long as it is not being imposed on me. I remember a few years ago I was bombarded with porn adverts and porn site. Now they are very few and it is up to those who want that to seek them out. We can't tell people how to live, just because it might not match our own chosen way of life.

Gambling is another matter, but again, it really depends on the kind of life someone seeks as we are all adults with responsibility for ourselves.

Look forward to seeing your research, Sandie. nice to learn something new.

{"commentId":1669151,"threadId":"246023","contentId":"1414157","authorDomain":"mscyprah"}

2 votes

#5.3 - Tue Apr 8, 2008 3:48 PM EDT

{"commentId":1669225,"authorDomain":"seward"}

Sandie Seward

Ms. Cyprah, I have a particular "thing" about gambling. I know a man who has almost lost everything because he is addicted to gambling, particularly the Roulette machines installed in some Bookies shops.

{"commentId":1669225,"threadId":"246023","contentId":"1414157","authorDomain":"seward"}

2 votes

#5.4 - Tue Apr 8, 2008 4:11 PM EDT

{"commentId":1669295,"authorDomain":"mscyprah"}

Ms CYPRAH

I can understand that, Sandie, but it still doesn't give us the right to tell other people how to live their lives, especially if they are not children and wish to go down that dead end path!

{"commentId":1669295,"threadId":"246023","contentId":"1414157","authorDomain":"mscyprah"}

2 votes

#5.5 - Tue Apr 8, 2008 4:30 PM EDT

{"commentId":1669611,"authorDomain":"seward"}

Sandie Seward

Ms. Cyprah, I wouldn't consider telling him or anyone else how they should live their lives. He has said to me many times that he wished he'd never started gambling. He has even been to Gamblers Anonnymous Meetings, and he is the first to admit that he has been, and still is, a perfect idiot where gambling is concerned.

{"commentId":1669611,"threadId":"246023","contentId":"1414157","authorDomain":"seward"}

2 votes

#5.6 - Tue Apr 8, 2008 5:45 PM EDT

{"canLink":false,"threadId":"246023","isPrivate":false}

MS CYPRAH

Backyard

Why television shows lose their appeal over time

Published to:

FUN STUFF:

COMPANY STUFF:

LEGAL STUFF: