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CHANNEL-SURFING is a term that ought to be changed.
Unlike what I imagine to be a thrilling adrenaline-rush
riding actual waves, “surfing” through local TV isn’t as
exciting. v Maybe it’s a worldwide thing. TV ratings in
the US are experiencing an all-time low since viewing
habits are changing—and the shows are hurting. Of
course, with the advent of TiVos, high-speed Internet,
show hiatuses (a lot of TV series, for a period of time
in a year, air reruns as shows go into a summer hiatus
and return in the fall) and daylight-saving time
(really), the ratings decline was inevitable.
But,
hey, even with the contracting of audiences, there are
still lots of prime-time sensations, such as Heroes, a
superheroes-sans-tights action drama that is on its way
to becoming another seminal show. 24 and Lost continue
to raise TV storytelling to exciting levels. New and
relatively “new” shows like Ugly Betty, Pushing Daisies
and Gossip Girl, among others, are definite water-cooler
favorites stateside. Of course, seasoned shows like CSI,
Criminal Minds, House and Grey’s Anatomy are still
working. And even the reality shows are still
entertaining, the best of which for me are Project:
Runway (for honoring real talent while employing formula
reality TV storytelling) and America’s Next Top Model
(it’s fun dissing host Tyra Banks). Oh, and there’s also
that small talent-singing show American Idol. Thank God
for digital downloads and DVD editions, I can now watch
them in uninterrupted bliss.
I don’t
know if I can say the same thing with Philippine TV in
general.
They say
that Pinoys don’t adapt easily and they tend to gag and
spit if they chew on anything new. So years and years
have gone by and TV networks here still feed us with the
same thing. In fact, the only thing similar with local
TV and the US variety is the (welcome) death of the
brainless sitcom. Still, I bet that the worst of the US
sitcom would still be better than the brainless fare we
used to have.
Then,
there’s the fantaseryes, which are just a more colorful,
more costume-ridden, special effects-driven version of
the soap operas that we have been watching since we were
kids. At least the “dramas” don’t hide in shame when
they say they just rehash some old story—from Babangon
Ako’t Dudurugin Kita (an ’80s movie) and My Girl (a
romantic comedy from Korea) to the recent sensation that
was Marimar (a soap opera from Latin America). That
said, it is still a shame because, hey, don’t networks
pay creative minds to “create” new shows?
Then,
there are the reality shows which are just franchises of
foreign ones. Pinoy Dream Academy, Pinoy Idol, Pinoy Big
Brother and, soon, Survivor: Philippines and Fear
Factor—been there, done that. The game shows and others
similar are also permutations of other TV show we’ve
seen before.
Many
argue that is what the audience wants and the TV
networks just give it to them. Some have argued and even
“proven” that audiences are largely divided into two
types. One is the formulaic group that just wants to see
sexy girls and guys “acting” in dramas that don’t demand
you to think, while the other is the supposedly more
discerning crowd that nonetheless likes to lap up one
love story after another.
In
reality, there is a formula to get your audience. It’s a
pretty simple, though not always foolproof, formula for
success. Great TV equals big ratings.
When it
comes down to what the audience wants, they will always
ask: “Is it any good?”
I
thought of the answer after working my remote control,
left local TVlandia and finally settled to surfing among
my favorite channels: Lifestyle Network, MYX, Cinema One
(oh, yes, those fabulous local movies!) and (the new and
promising entertainment channel) Velvet. n |
