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Posted by: DTravel on Dec 13, 11:03 in response to ndmaster's post What does this mean? Can you elaborate?

The Greek plays by custom had to follow a very strict structure using accepted plots. 'Deus ex machina' comes from them, for example. Originality was stifled, the same plot twists were used over and over, similar characters always appeared (The Hero, The Villian, The Sidekick, The Love Interest, etc.)

The same thing is occuring in current TV production (and movie production as well). The comedies all follow the same basic formulas and setup, police/medical procedures ditto and so on. The goofy neighbor, the unresolved sexual tension between leads who get together-break up-get together-are driven apart-get together over and over, the tough boss the leads have to be insubordinate to. Its lego block story telling. Maybe the color of the blocks changes but they are using the same pieces the same way over and over again. Because the networks won't air anything else. "This wildly successful show from ten years ago used this formula, therefore we must use this formula to have a successful show whether the audience watchs or not!" Its great for producing comfort food programming but that's about it.

This is what is wrong with American TV these days. ndmaster Dec 12, 06:17

When did it mean something or teach us something? Disclaimer-I stopped watching TV ~1980. {nm} forlorne Dec 12, 07:03

How about Little House, The Cosby Show, etc. Just two I thought of. ndmaster Dec 12, 07:46

I had previously mentioned Donna Reed, The Rifleman, and Leave it to Beaver, on MeTV, as being a good watch, with good values. {nm} edzep - Port Monkey! Dec 12, 09:41

Not that I have anything against good drama. That list of Lobo's is a bunch of my favorites (but, have not watched House of Cards). {nm} edzep - Port Monkey! Dec 12, 11:26

Breaking Bad, The Wire, The Sopranos, Mad Men, Boardwalk Empire, House of Cards and several others that have impressed me over the years {nm} lobogotti Dec 12, 07:39

but we can agree that network shows are HORRID! there isn't much on today I can stand (have never watch a reality show that I can recall) {nm} lobogotti Dec 12, 07:41

Yes, I guess I mean network TV, and I include TBS, WB, FOX, etc. {nm} ndmaster Dec 12, 07:45

I preach to friends about the very same subject all the time. {nm} lobogotti Dec 12, 08:27

Although it was entertaining, is Breaking Bad an example of wholesome entertainment designed to teach us something? Uh Oh {nm} PVL Admin Dec 12, 11:18

I've made a successful living off of Walter Whites teachings! {nm} lobogotti Dec 12, 16:36

Sad story: The show that I've seen that teaches the most life lessons is... South Park. No joke... {nm} PRodNano Dec 12, 10:08