Nate’s Place

Random Musings

Well, the weather continues to be gloomy and overcast…it appears winter is on its way and perhaps soon, rain.  I actually don’t like rain too much.  I don’t like random wet clothes at work, idiotic drivers, spotting on my car, or the general coldness in my joints.

The benefits of rain for me are as such: I tend to go out less and therefor spend less money.  I tend to stay in my bed a little longer and stay cozier.  I catch up on reading while enjoying a good cup of coffee or tea, and I watch a few movies at home.

Speaking of movies and TV, I am very suprised at the amount of press the writers strike is getting out in California.  They are is day 3 (which isn’t even over yet) and it seems that is what all the news outlets (tv, internet, radio) are running as their top story: that we could be in a rut if reality TV shows soon. Big f’n deal.

I personally don’t look at the strike as a bad thing.  Yes, I am bummed a few of my shows like ‘Big Bang Theory’ and ‘Bionic Woman’ have halted production…but they aren’t cancelled.  I’ll live.  TV shows are generally 22 episodes a season, give or take, but 22 is about average.  Most networks have already shown the first 6-7 episodes, and there are a few episodes ‘in the can’ as they say that will air shortly.  This means most viewers will see about 1/3 to 1/2 of a regular season anyway.

Most of the shows are shit anyway.  Anyone see Carpoolers? Cavemen? Gossip Girl?  Well, believe me, you aren’t missing all that much to begin with.  Even some other staples like Desperate Housewives (I admit I watch), are stale anyway this season.  After the last 6 or 7 episodes of DH, the only entertaining arc is Carlos and Gaby (which I alluded too before), the rest is just lame and insulting to anyone with better than a high school education.

What I am basically saying is that most of the writing of many shows is pretty lame and stupid anyway.  Between all the CSI’s, Law & Orders, and other crime/lawyer shows, we need a break anyway…especially from much of the recycled writing and rehashed stories.

I’m okay with an extra season of Big Brother, Amazing Race or Survivor.  Maybe a few new game shows.  At the very least the strike will give me some breathing room to catch up on and empty my Tivo…and another benefit to boot: Netflix!  You know how many movies are in my queue?  With a strike that may last a few months, I choose to see a silver lining….I’ll widdle down the list of movies I’ve been wanting to watch for a while now and just never got around to, so I really don’t lose out.  My shows will be back….maybe in a few months, but they’ll be back and pick up where they left off.

I am a little interested too see how this affects the economy.  I never really thought of this before it was pointed out: When the shows aren’t being written for, the actors aren’t acting.  Producers are producing.  Directors aren’t directing.  There are numerous enterainment jobs that will be affected…and so will other businesses as well.  They interviewed a deli manager in Burbank, CA. and he lamented that in the last 2 days, his shop is empty at lunch.  Hmmm….so some auxillary businesses will be affected…restaurants, dry cleaners, taxi services, caterers…etc.  Never really thought of that before now….but I also think these people were foolish for putting all their eggs in one basket.  If you open a deli who targets only writers and actors, you have to know if something happens in Hollywood, you’re buisiness goes to hell.  So, I figure they knew those risks before hand.

Actually I don’t care so much about the writers.  I don’t care if a ’scab’ does a fill in writing job.  I have friends who have better ideas for shows than most writers seem to be doing now.  Hell, give some other aspiring writer a chance who doesn’t belong to the WGA (union).  Isn’t that what free-market economy/capitalism is about?  Where there is demand, someone will fill it for the right price.  I can see a bunch of college student interns writing an epsiode of CSI…doesn’t bother me, and surely they can’t write anywore onelines that David Caruso utters weekly anway.  Many of the actors/producers/writers may need to be taken down a notch on their ego’s anyway.

And just because American shows go on hiatus, doesn’t mean I can’t turn my TV to the BBC and get cultured from our friends across the pond.  BBC America I hear is a great channel…so maybe it’s goodbye CBS/NBC in favor of the BBC.