XPost: rec.arts.tv, alt.tv.scifi.channel   
   From: Obveeus@aol.com   
      
   "Jim Gysin"  wrote:   
      
   > I also pointed out--accurately--that the vast, vast majority of post-movie   
   > viewing comments for almost *any* SF movie revolve around the plot, the   
   > characters, their likability, etc.  As I've said already, whether it's TV   
   > or movie discussions, I've had countless long exchanges over story lines   
   > and the like, and can't remember the last time I had *any* extensive   
   > discussion about the merits of *any* SF movie's effects.   
      
   You can keep pointing it out, but it doesn't change that the vast majority   
   of people go to those movies to see things blow up and very few movie   
   viewers sit down to have thoughtful discussions about the characters and   
   storyline afterwards.  I'm guessing that there is a segment of the   
   population that sits down and has 'thoughtful discussions' about the   
   characters and storylines for the porn picture they watched as well.  No   
   doubt, those people think that the storylines and character development are   
   more important than the way the characters look or how good the sound   
   effects were.   
      
   > The problem with your argument here is that many people still think that   
   > the better shows of *all* genres tend to get snatched up by the networks,   
   > so, to them, odds are good that a SF show that ends up on cable for its   
   > initial run is weaker overall quality-wise than one appearing on a   
   > network.   
      
   Thank you for agreeing with me that a cable channel premiere won't be able   
   to draw the same size audience for a sci-fi show that a network premiere can   
   draw.   
      
   > That anti-cable bias is starting to go away, thanks to quality offerings   
   > from the likes of HBO and AMC.  And seriously, if HBO--an additional   
   > charge over basic cable--can draw 5M or better to TRUE BLOOD and the like,   
   > then it's pretty clear to me that your argument about a small potential   
   > cable audience for a *basic* cable show is seriously flawed.   
      
   Not flawed at all.  Even with the cable channels, it is a given that USA   
   Network or TNT Network will likely get more viewers for the premiere of a   
   new series than Spike or Syfy.  The quality of the actual series has nothing   
   to do with people's preceptions, biases, and habits when watching   
   TV...especialy when choosing which premieres to watch.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)