No Such Thing as “Flyover” States…
June 12th, 2008 by StevePosted in Trends
Too often, it seems, one hears about the vast differences between the coasts and the central states… “flyover states” they’re called, as though only to be appreciated (if at all) while passing beneath us. There’s always talk of Hollywood executives being out of touch with these average television-watchers, of their belief that those people tend to embrace simpler, cruder entertainment. It’s a constant cycle – Hollywood dumbs down television, thinking the average person need only a few explosions and some nudity to be entertained, and the “common man” strikes back that the people in Hollywood can’t make a decent show to save their lives.
To be honest, television is often out of touch. It does tend to pander to its audience. It gives us shows like “A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila” and “The Moment of Truth”. This is what is called mindless entertainment: easy to ingest, without needing too much thought to do so. And these are only two examples that typify the “make it cheap, make it simple, and make plenty of it” mentality, the idea that if this is what the people want, then we’re going to give it to them.
The thing is, this is not what the audience really wants – not exclusively. Sure, reality programming can be a nice break, a fun form of escapism. But can you imagine if that was all television had to offer? If every channel had some form of Lindsay Lohan’s mother staring back at you? What a truly horrifying thought. And yet, given the chance, many TV executives would do just that. Make it cheap, and make it simple, right? But the only problem is, audiences aren’t simple. The emergence of reality shows in the past decade or so does not mean that they have a limited threshold of taste. If anything, it means they are simply waiting to be challenged more often.
Take a look at any successful TV show, and the reason for its success can be traced to its acceptance by a vast audience – not just those on the east or west coasts (or the middle states), but all across the country. As such, there can be no such thing as a “flyover state”, because no viewer should be ignored, or pandered to. People in Kansas or Oklahoma are the heart and soul of any audience (just like those in California or New York), and they have just as much need for good entertainment as anyone. A truly successful television show has at its heart creators that understand this need, and shape themselves to reach as wide an audience as possible. Take “Lost”, for example, with its blend of action and special effects, thought-provoking writing, and impeccable acting. The show is many things to many people, and is able to maintain this balance while never compromising its integrity. It’s as if the creators started out by looking at their audience and at themselves, saying “we can give people intelligent characters and situations – we can stimulate their hearts and their minds and still get their pulses racing”. They trusted their audience from day one; they didn’t dumb down their work, or spoon-feed it to their viewers. In turn, their audience trusted them, and are consistently rewarded because of it.
This is not meant to be a discussion on the merits of reality versus scripted television; as mentioned above, both have something unique to offer. But it would be nice, at the end of the day, to see a greater number of TV shows embrace the idea that their audience is more clever than they’ve been given credit for. It would be nice if television executives sought out that balance – if they pushed themselves to spread their visions to as many people as possible without compromising those visions.
Basically, it would be nice if they just shelved “A Shot at Love 3” and gave us something more…
Tags: audience, Hollywood, Lohan, Lost, programming, reality, Television, tv
July 1st, 2008 at 9:50 pm
Steve,
Thank you for such an intelligent and thoughtful post. You see, I grew up in a “flyover” state-Michigan to be exact. I have lived in Alabama, Tennessee and Hollywood, California. I have had the privilege of traveling to many countries and I have been blessed with a Bachelor of Arts and a Master’s Degree. I say these things not to boast, but only to highlight your point. The average American is intelligent and often well informed. Yet, invariably, I find myself pondering the shear stupidity of Hollywood executives. Motion picture after motion picture, TV program after TV program, so much of what we see is poorly directed, poorly acted, oft times poorly written and obviously, poorly produced. And calling this new stuff reality TV…who’s reality?
I saw how the industry worked up close and as a lover of TV and film, it is very frustrating. I know there must be writers out there who can actually write a fantastic script with out filling it full of explicatives and vain uses of God’s name(s). If you could please let our Hollywood friends know that in the “flyover” states, people who use that kind of language are considered Neanderthals. They are thought to have no class, no self-respect and unfortunately, enough money to fund and produce trash. This may seem a harsh judgment, but after all, we have been and are being judged by Hollywood every time we are offered this “entertainment”.
The fact is, there is nothing better than sitting down to a great thought provoking film or TV program. Most of us Middle-Americans want to be mentally challenged while also being entertained. I agree “Lost” is one of the best shows going. If it hadn’t been for that program, my remote would have continued to stay on the Discovery Channel, TLC, PBS, HGTV and Cable News channels. Well, it still is, except for Thursdays nights. Just so you don’t think I’m all about bashing everyone else, I am in the middle of changing careers–writing, directing, and producing local movies for the community. Maybe, GOD willing (note:this is an appropriate way to use a name for the divine…Ha), I will someday be able to offer a project to Hollywood and the “flyover” states that touches them in a positive way.
Thanks again, Tamara