emuboy
12 Dec 2010, 11:14
Some TV shows prove to be both commercial and critical failures upon their release, while others are unpopular amongst critics but are commercially succesful, rating very well.
But sometimes, a show is released that has all the ingredients to succeed, is well-received by critics - and simply does not rate; while others do not rate when screened in other countries. Which shows can you think of like this? Some I remember are:
AMERICAN DREAMS - Sometimes called "Our Generation", this 2002 comedy-drama show introduced talented and versatile actress Brittany Snow, and centred around a family living in Philadelphia in the early 1960s, and the many social changes taking place during this era. Successful in its three year run in America, this high standard show was briefly screened in Australia several years ago, but few seem to remember it today - it did not achieve the fame of other 1960s retro shows The Wonder Years or Heartbeat.
THE HELLO GIRLS - Another good-standard, critically acclaimed 1960s retro show, this was from England and centred around a group of girls who worked in a telephone exchange in 1960. When it screened in Australia in 1997, it was on the ABC at the awkward time of 6 pm weekdays - and I have never seen it since, nor do I know anyone who remembers it. In fact I was beginning to wonder if I had dreamed the whole thing, until I found evidence of its existence by a brief IMDB entry and its opening theme on YouTube. Given that popular retro shows have never been released on DVD due to music rights, I think my chances of ever seeing this again are limited.
OUT OF PRACTICE - Starring experienced actors Henry Winkler and Stockard Channing, this smart, witty and sophisticated American sitcom was about a family of doctors, and had the potential to be as good as, if not better than, Frasier and Seinfeld, and deserved every word of praise afforded it by the critics. But it lasted just one season in the USA, was briefly screened in Australia in 2006 on Saturday nights, before moving to a graveyard timeslot - never to be seen again.
LAST MAN STANDING - I never watched this, but I heard from quite a few people how good this Australian comedy was. Part of the reason I never watched it was that it went to a late night timeslot when it didn't rate.
Does anyone remember the shows I mentioned?
But sometimes, a show is released that has all the ingredients to succeed, is well-received by critics - and simply does not rate; while others do not rate when screened in other countries. Which shows can you think of like this? Some I remember are:
AMERICAN DREAMS - Sometimes called "Our Generation", this 2002 comedy-drama show introduced talented and versatile actress Brittany Snow, and centred around a family living in Philadelphia in the early 1960s, and the many social changes taking place during this era. Successful in its three year run in America, this high standard show was briefly screened in Australia several years ago, but few seem to remember it today - it did not achieve the fame of other 1960s retro shows The Wonder Years or Heartbeat.
THE HELLO GIRLS - Another good-standard, critically acclaimed 1960s retro show, this was from England and centred around a group of girls who worked in a telephone exchange in 1960. When it screened in Australia in 1997, it was on the ABC at the awkward time of 6 pm weekdays - and I have never seen it since, nor do I know anyone who remembers it. In fact I was beginning to wonder if I had dreamed the whole thing, until I found evidence of its existence by a brief IMDB entry and its opening theme on YouTube. Given that popular retro shows have never been released on DVD due to music rights, I think my chances of ever seeing this again are limited.
OUT OF PRACTICE - Starring experienced actors Henry Winkler and Stockard Channing, this smart, witty and sophisticated American sitcom was about a family of doctors, and had the potential to be as good as, if not better than, Frasier and Seinfeld, and deserved every word of praise afforded it by the critics. But it lasted just one season in the USA, was briefly screened in Australia in 2006 on Saturday nights, before moving to a graveyard timeslot - never to be seen again.
LAST MAN STANDING - I never watched this, but I heard from quite a few people how good this Australian comedy was. Part of the reason I never watched it was that it went to a late night timeslot when it didn't rate.
Does anyone remember the shows I mentioned?