Smart Sells Too!

Shhh...come closer.  I'm going to tell you a secret.Are you ready?I...love...television!Cartoons, science fiction, dramedies, crime shows, documentaries, and even the occasional reality show, I spend a great deal of my free time (when not writing, of course) staring at the surface of the talking box.  Ever since my parents first purchased a television set I have been obsessed with television, making sure that I made time to watch all of my favorites as they aired.  It was television that introduced me to the wonders of Star Trek, The X-Files, X-Men, Firefly, Fringe, and so many other fandoms.  These shows helped me unwind from stress, kept me company on lonely nights, and made me laugh when all I could do was cry.  Don't get me wrong - I had great family and friends as well, but in the hour it took to watch one episode of a show allowed me to clear my thoughts and regroup.  For me, reading and watching television were my coping strategies when things got tough, and they never let me down.  Those shows I watched encouraged me to explore my own abilities, to wonder what it was I am capable of.  I wanted to emulate the qualities of my favorite characters, especially the strong female leads I grew up watching.  In fact, when i was a teenager the show ER started airing, and it was partly responsible for my interest in medicine.As time has passed and I have gotten older, one of the trends I have noticed (and am not happy about) is the shift from smart, witty television to shows focused on shock value and sensationalism.  I completely understand that there is a time and place for every type of show, but what frustrates me is observing well-written, well-casted shows suffer at the hands of networks who are more focused on immediate gratification rather than long-term loyalty.  The reality is that with more and more people accessing digital media and being able to stream, record, and watch anything they want, quality shows are being thrown by the wayside in favor of ones that are devoid of value or education.I think the networks do a great disservice to their viewers by assuming that all we want are flashy, overly dramatized shows that require little more than a pair of eyes and a bored mind.  It's a disturbing trend that many great shows have to be "saved" by the fans through online petitions and appeals to other networks or digital companies such as Netflix or Amazon because network executives are chasing that elusive perfect rating storm.  Yes, some networks are catching on and listening to their audiences, but far too often shows come and go because the focus is on the now instead of longevity.Let's take Firefly as a prime example, because I know there are many fellow Browncoats out there who understand me.  The Joss Whedon helmed show had a spectacular cast with immensely talented writers that brought thought-provoking episodes to air every week.  Yes, every one was action-packed, filled with humor, and dabbled with special effects, but that wasn't the reason why I and the rest of the fans watched the show.  It was the characters, the storylines, the lessons you learned about life, friendship, and love which made Firefly so beloved.  It was the fact that Joss did not dumb down the material or water down the realities that his characters faced.  People connected with the way the main characters dealt with loss, fears, and survival and found ways the stories mirrored their own lives.  As a result, of course, the show was cancelled after one season because it didn't meet up to ratings expectations.  Luckily, Browncoats are a fiercely protective and loyal group, and their voices succeeded in reviving the show on the big screen.Another prime and more recent example is the sci-fi show Stitchers on Freeform.  If you haven't watched it (you should!), it follows the lives of a group of young, incredibly intelligent scientists brought together by a secret government agency to "stitch" into dead people and solve crimes.  Along the way, you watch the characters come together to overcome obstacles and deepen the relationships they share with one another.  I came upon the first season by accident, but I was hooked by the end of the first episode.  The cast is diverse, the writing splendidly clever, and the "science" intriguing and engaging.  It is helmed by Jeffrey Schechter, a man with an inquisitive mind and a talent for storytelling.  I looked forward to every episode, and was so disappointed when the second season took so long to air!  As I feared, as the season two finale approached and other shows were receiving news about renewal, Stitchers fans were left wondering about the fate of their favorite show.  Every one of us worried that yet another wonderful show was going to fall through the ratings crack, and we banded together on social media to send a clear message to Freeform.  Despite this, the renewal was not announced until the beginning of October.  Although I am beyond excited to see what happens next, the worry over season four is already looming.I realize there is a very large section of the population that enjoys the other types of shows, and I certainly don't begrudge that as I partake in them as well.  However, I find myself disappointed in the thought that many of the shows I might truly enjoy and fangirl over are likely to be cancelled because they don't engage a large enough population.  Saying that the shows reflect the desires of the audience is just an excuse.  There are so many of us that cry out in support of smart shows, and it's time that our voices are heard.I want shows that inspire us, teach us, and force us to think outside the box.  I want shows that I'm proud to share with family and friends - ones that will engage and stimulate minds.  I want shows that have emotional depth, thoughtful insights, and multi-dimensional characters.  I want shows that doesn't take its audience for granted but rather celebrates intelligence, strength, and resilience.  Most of all, I want shows that remind me of the human potential, because that is the message that we should be sending young people.  Give them exposure to the world through the eyes of great role models, and we grant them the ability to be limitless in their success.Until next time, luceat lux vestra!