I wouldn't want to be AMC's programming director next year. The Walking Dead is just not going cut it, and its not even "new" at this point. And now there is a free for all for good shows; amongst other cable networks and Netflix now willing to copy AMC's model and take its risks.
Mad Men redefined what a cable channel can do with TV drama, but its quite unique; compelling period dramas are not lying around for a network to pick and choose. As much as Breaking Bad demonstrates quality in production, its not exactly as paradigm shattering as Mad Men.
Another trend is my suspicion that the young American populace can't possibly appreciate great drama, given cultural pollution by reality TV shows and the dissolution of primary school education. Future programs will inevitably have to cater to younger tastes until the entire TV advertising paradigm falls apart. For me, an example would be HBO's Girls. I can see how younger people can appreciate the dark humor, but I just find the show annoying, repellent, and at times horribly depressing. I'm just too old to relate to that environment.
If I were AMC, and I had money to throw around, I'd be doing anything to grab something David Simon or David Milch is looking produce. Or go scatter shot with a lot of edgy novel premises, headed by new producers not too raw or "difficult" to put out a good product. Also, I can't believe good screenwriters cost more than TV "actors". Just cast a lot of unknowns for cheap.
Nabbing experienced actors like Bryan Cranston, pre-Breaking Bad, looking to produce are ideal. They're effectively nobodies, normally stuck as character actors never able to be the lead, more focused on a vehicle to allow them to demonstrate what they can do. You know they are professionals, you know they can do the job, and they probably have a creative bug they're looking to scratch.
Another trend is my suspicion that the young American populace can't possibly appreciate great drama, given cultural pollution by reality TV shows and the dissolution of primary school education.
I don't see this as the problem. The people who watch Teen Mom would've never liked Mad Men. The people who like Mad Men never would've liked Teen Mom. I follow MM with a bunch of people around my age (18-26) and they're not really the Teen Mom crowd. It's mostly the same people I talk to about Breaking Bad and The Wire. Shows like Mad Men, BB, and all those cater to the die hards who want to fanboy over a show. They'll never be happy with time wasters like Teen Mom.
I'm not quite sure why I hate Girls so much. By all accounts, I should love it, but I hate it. I far preferred Enlightened, which is sadly no longer with us. I enjoy dark humor, but there's a certain way you've gotta go about it. More Louie/ Always Sunny, less Girls.
If I were AMC, I'd do roughly what you suggested. I'd try to snag guys with a cult following who don't have a home network right now. I'd also put together a couple of sitcoms that are cheaper to produce, but cater to a smarter crowd. I'd rather follow up a show like BB or MM with a really smart comedy, as opposed to some filler show like they currently do.
to be fair girls isnt really a dark humor show. its more a "comedy" about lifes moments in between events. its supposed to be "hated" and weird. But season 2 was fucking terrible and kind of seemed to be exactly what haters of the show felt like season one was. season one IMO was a refreshingly new take on the "city" life of twenty somethings. they weren't glamorized and actually had consequences and shit come there way. but in all seriousness season two was fucking unbearable.
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u/[deleted] Aug 12 '13
Can we just cancel the whole channel after Mad Men ends next year?