Great piece, Jessalynn! The furor of contentious definition and conflicting uses around the term "feminist" is important to always keep in mind, and I wonder if perhaps Lady Gaga is avoiding that label because of her knowledge of such tension. ...
Jeremy, I think your point about the distinction between cleverness on USA and stakes on the networks is right on point and well said. However, I wonder about viewer loyalty when talking about such distinctions in light of ratings. As always, I wish the ...
I've been wracking my brain for the last few minutes trying to think of summer programming that carries "weight" beyond the surface. The only current example that might fit is Rescue Me, but does that fit the Mad Men mold: whatever weight ...
For a while, USA's original programming was more in line with the darkness of Touching Evil; The Dead Zone and The 4400 were both fairly serious in tone. Moreover, around the time they rebranded with "Characters Welcome" (2005) the network ...
I think you make a great point, Mabel, bringing up the potential transportablility of the summer TV marathon. With video iPods, iPads, laptops, and portable DVD players becoming more affordable and more the norm, you can sit in the hammock and watch The ...
I definitely think Monk was the turning point for USA. As a "dramedy" it helped transition the network from more serious fare like The Dead Zone and The 4400 to the balance of dramatic stories within a light frame that Burn Notice nailed. Psy ...
Thanks, Noel. I agree that USA seems to have found a way to make itself a clear brand in creating a genre of show instead of a set of franchises. As to Leverage I think it's an interesting example to ponder because it lacks something (or many things ...
That's a really interesting point about HBO, but now I can't get the image of Tony and McNulty discussing HBO's tagline. Just think of all the interesting combinations HBO could come up with in the vein of USA's crossover commericals. ...
I agree, Noel, that last season's Psych and the Yin and Yang killers seem to push the show into a little more dramatic territory, but I think its position as USA's straight comedy is fairly secure. They might throw in some romantic triangle dra ...
You make an intriguing point, Jamie, when you write that cable provides a place for shows rejected as not edgy enough. I think it's important to recognize this part of cable's niche programing, especially when so much of the popular discourse l ...
As commenter
feminism, Lady Gaga, and Sarah Palin
loyalty, relativity, and summer stakes
weighty summer TV
dark USA
transportablity of the summer marathon
I definitely think Monk was
characters, types, and Leverage
crossover promos
Psych
edgy, too edgy, not edgy enough
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