The more simplistic and careless a show is, the easier it is to write
for (and possibly produce). Plus, a lot of people prefer TV they don't have
to follow closely or think about so it tends to repeat well. I generally
think that the number of characters in a show is often indicative of how
well it's received -- the fewer there are the easier it is to keep track of
the storyline and the more people will occasionally watch it
So true. True of books as well...just look at most of the best-seller list
and the popularity of James Patterson. I get it. And I know a lot of
people, including my parents, who prefer that in a way...in television
shows not so much books. You don't have to think, you don't have to work
that hard, and it's a nice escape.
The only shows that have had multiple characters that have last multiple
seasons tend to be hospital dramas, where the focus is often on the case of
the week, and people come and go, or the police procedural drama like NCIS,
again where the focus is on the case of the week, and one season is
interchangeable with the last one, as are the writers.
Also genre plays a role, the more expensive the show, the harder to
maintain. And fantasy/sci-fi is more expensive than something like NCIS or
Grey's Anatomy (both going into 13 or 14 seasons and counting, and at the
top of the ratings). Sci-fi also appeals to a narrow or nitch audience, so
there's that as well.
And that audience often prefers violent horror/action to what Sense8 is.
I can see why it got cancelled.
Which is one big reason why the success of Game of Thrones has been such
an anomaly.
Well, GoT had a few things that Sense8 didn't. 1) a ready-made audience or
fandom going into it. The book fandom is huge. The books were best-sellers
prior to the series getting made. 2) a best-selling book series that it was
adapted from, with the original creator/writer of the books a co-executive
producer, who wrote two or three of the episodes.
You can't beat that. It's why Lord of the Rings got made and had that
audience. The marketing campaign just writes itself. And you can do
cross-promotion.
Add to this that GoT is a violent, fantasy series aimed at heterosexual men
and to some degree women. Specifically those who like historical war epics,
with macho characters, and political intrigue -- a very popular trope. It's
actually a "mainstream" fantasy series. Very few monsters, more realistic,
fantasy for the mainstream audience who doesn't usually like fantasy shows
or books. Oh and zombies and dragons, which are crowd-pleasures. Plus
sexual violence, and graphic fight scenes. But few if any consensual or
loving sex scenes, very little gay or lesbian sex.
While Sense8 was very cult, very risky, and promoted things and ideas that
would make a mainstream audience uncomfortable. Sad but true.
I wonder if Straczynski will create books with the remaining seasons for
Sens8?
Oh, I hope so. I'd read them. I may have to hunt down fanfic after I finish
S2. There's a couple of characters playing with my head at the moment.
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branchandroot
Re: Regarding fantasy tv shows..
Date: 2017-06-20 05:14 pm (UTC)The more simplistic and careless a show is, the easier it is to write for (and possibly produce). Plus, a lot of people prefer TV they don't have to follow closely or think about so it tends to repeat well. I generally think that the number of characters in a show is often indicative of how well it's received -- the fewer there are the easier it is to keep track of the storyline and the more people will occasionally watch it
So true. True of books as well...just look at most of the best-seller list and the popularity of James Patterson. I get it. And I know a lot of people, including my parents, who prefer that in a way...in television shows not so much books. You don't have to think, you don't have to work that hard, and it's a nice escape.
The only shows that have had multiple characters that have last multiple seasons tend to be hospital dramas, where the focus is often on the case of the week, and people come and go, or the police procedural drama like NCIS, again where the focus is on the case of the week, and one season is interchangeable with the last one, as are the writers.
Also genre plays a role, the more expensive the show, the harder to maintain. And fantasy/sci-fi is more expensive than something like NCIS or Grey's Anatomy (both going into 13 or 14 seasons and counting, and at the top of the ratings). Sci-fi also appeals to a narrow or nitch audience, so there's that as well. And that audience often prefers violent horror/action to what Sense8 is.
I can see why it got cancelled.
Which is one big reason why the success of Game of Thrones has been such an anomaly.
Well, GoT had a few things that Sense8 didn't. 1) a ready-made audience or fandom going into it. The book fandom is huge. The books were best-sellers prior to the series getting made. 2) a best-selling book series that it was adapted from, with the original creator/writer of the books a co-executive producer, who wrote two or three of the episodes.
You can't beat that. It's why Lord of the Rings got made and had that audience. The marketing campaign just writes itself. And you can do cross-promotion.
Add to this that GoT is a violent, fantasy series aimed at heterosexual men and to some degree women. Specifically those who like historical war epics, with macho characters, and political intrigue -- a very popular trope. It's actually a "mainstream" fantasy series. Very few monsters, more realistic, fantasy for the mainstream audience who doesn't usually like fantasy shows or books. Oh and zombies and dragons, which are crowd-pleasures. Plus sexual violence, and graphic fight scenes. But few if any consensual or loving sex scenes, very little gay or lesbian sex.
While Sense8 was very cult, very risky, and promoted things and ideas that would make a mainstream audience uncomfortable. Sad but true.
I wonder if Straczynski will create books with the remaining seasons for Sens8?
Oh, I hope so. I'd read them. I may have to hunt down fanfic after I finish S2. There's a couple of characters playing with my head at the moment.