There used to be a time when network television was good. Sadly, it seems that time is fading quickly. Sure, you have a few gems here and there. Take a look at Modern Family this season. It is doing quite well in the ratings and is genuinely a good show. I would argue that Modern Family is an exception to the rule as the show was created by one of TV’s most respected sitcom writers and producers, Christopher Lloyd. While it has been successful, it still falls in line with the traditional family sitcom. It isn’t groundbreaking at all. It seems nothing new and creative makes its way to network television anymore.
When you look at a couple shows that were truly original in their concept (meaning not a cop/lawyer/doctor show), they have failed. NBC’s Kings was an excellent show with excellent acting by Ian McShane. NBC barely gave it a shot. ABC could have won big with a space mystery/drama in Defying Gravity but they didn’t have faith in it and started it in the late summer and with little to no promotion. Shows like Mad Men and Breaking Bad went to AMC because the networks didn’t want to risk their profit margins on new, and possibly risky, ideas. Instead, they have become a haven for reality programming, procedural dramas and spin-offs, and dance shows.
It is now getting to the point where I will not watch new shows on any of the major networks anymore for fear that I will like them and they will be canceled. The networks are too worried about their bottom line to take risks like they used to. In fact, NBC CEO Jeff Zucker has even mentioned that such an iconic show like Seinfeld would not make it in today’s TV climate based on the shows initial soft ratings. It is sad that so much creativity and originality is stifled because of the bottom line. Who knows what other Seinfelds might have been cultivated if given the opportunity to grow.
The Most Creative Hip Hop Albums
I’m very passionate when it comes to hip hop. At times I’m its biggest advocate, and others the biggest apologist. Most of the hip hop that is played on the radio embarrasses me. That isn’t true hip hop in my opinion, it is no different than Britney Spears or Miley Cyrus. It’s pop music. Lost in the shuffle of throw-away singles and one-hit wonders are some of the most creative artists, songs, and albums of any genre. I want to discuss some of the most creative hip hop albums of all time. On top of having great production and lyrics, all of them tell a story from beginning to end.
Deltron 3030 – Deltron 3030
Deltron 3030 was a hip hop supergroup composed of Del the Funkee Homosapien, Dan the Automator, and DJ Kid Koala. The album takes place in a dystopian future, the year 3030 to be exact. The story follows Deltron Zero, the hero, fighting against an oppressive government and gigantic corporations that control everything. The production by Dan the Automator is operatic, while still maintaining the rhythm that makes hip hop great. Del’s rhyming over the eerie, futuristic beats flows like water. Rumors have long circulated of a sequel to this album with updates coming every so often, but it has yet to surface. [Buy Now] Read more
What Happened to Network Television?
There used to be a time when network television was good. Sadly, it seems that time is fading quickly. Sure, you have a few gems here and there. Take a look at Modern Family this season. It is doing quite well in the ratings and is genuinely a good show. I would argue that Modern Family is an exception to the rule as the show was created by one of TV’s most respected sitcom writers and producers, Christopher Lloyd. While it has been successful, it still falls in line with the traditional family sitcom. It isn’t groundbreaking at all. It seems nothing new and creative makes its way to network television anymore.
When you look at a couple shows that were truly original in their concept (meaning not a cop/lawyer/doctor show), they have failed. NBC’s Kings was an excellent show with excellent acting by Ian McShane. NBC barely gave it a shot. ABC could have won big with a space mystery/drama in Defying Gravity but they didn’t have faith in it and started it in the late summer and with little to no promotion. Shows like Mad Men and Breaking Bad went to AMC because the networks didn’t want to risk their profit margins on new, and possibly risky, ideas. Instead, they have become a haven for reality programming, procedural dramas and spin-offs, and dance shows.
It is now getting to the point where I will not watch new shows on any of the major networks anymore for fear that I will like them and they will be canceled. The networks are too worried about their bottom line to take risks like they used to. In fact, NBC CEO Jeff Zucker has even mentioned that such an iconic show like Seinfeld would not make it in today’s TV climate based on the shows initial soft ratings. It is sad that so much creativity and originality is stifled because of the bottom line. Who knows what other Seinfelds might have been cultivated if given the opportunity to grow.
The End of Movember
It is the end of Movember and I am thankful. I’m thankful to the people that donated and thankful to be able to shave the ‘stache. Going a whole month without trimming was hard. I don’t know how people with bushy mustaches do it. It was so annoying. I would wake up every single morning wanting to trim it. It was also ugly. No, seriously, I hated it and I’m sure I looked stupid to most people. In fact, it got to the point that when I’d see people I hadn’t seen in a while I’d have to explain why I had the ridiculous mustache so they would know it wasn’t a fashion decision and that I was growing it for the greater good. If you really want to torture yourself you can go back and look at the Movember set on my Flickr page. I did miss taking pictures a few of the days, but there are 22 of the 30 days in the set. I think if I do this again next year, I’ll try a different style, maybe just the old-fashioned used car salesman mustache. We shall see.
Got Yourself a Gun
I’ve never been pro or anti-gun. I’ve just never had an opinion on it. It is a hot issue, but one I’ve never felt strongly about. I know that getting guns off the streets could mean less crime. I know that most gun crime is committed by guns obtained illegally. I don’t think you need semi-automatic or automatic weapons to hunt deer. I see both sides of the argument and dangle my feet on both sides of the fence. I’ve never wanted a gun but to each their own.
Lately I have been thinking more and more about owning one. Not because I’m afraid of crime or because I want to carry a concealed weapon (that’s legal in Missouri). It really comes down to the amount of nutjobs there are in the world right now. No, I’m not talking Tom Cruise believes aliens dropped frozen souls into volcanoes type of nutjobs. I’m talking about people who are so easily manipulated that they get whipped up into a frenzy even though what they are yelling about makes no sense. I’m talking about allowing people who don’t have the mental capacity to own guns suddenly buying them. Or people who have no problem burning people in effigy.
The point is, there are some crazy people out there and when people who are supposed to be responsible leaders shout fire and brimstone from their pulpit, nothing good can come. Look at the racist, bigoted, nonsensical things that have come about from the tea baggers and the birthers. Look at Glenn Beck, Michele Bachmann, and Michelle Malkin. Look at the hatred in the last campaign from Sarah Palin supporters. It was disgusting. I know owning a gun isn’t going change these nutjobs, but if these people are armed and get in their heads there needs to be a revolution, why shouldn’t I be able to protect myself against these lunatics? The prospect of owning a gun is becoming more and more appealing.
Unemployment and Race
Who says corporate racism is dead? While this tool from the New York Times doesn’t specifically attribute the difference in unemployment rates by race to racism, it is hard to ignore it. It is true that not all groups have felt the effects of the recession equally. Here are a few charts I found quite interesting (click to enlarge).
White College-Educated Males from 25-44
Black College-Educated Males from 25-44
Hispanic College-Educated Males from 25-44
White Men and Women All Ages and Education Levels
Black Men and Women All Ages and Education Levels
Hispanic Men and Women All Ages and Education Levels