Many of you who know me are well aware that my wife and I do not own a TV – nor do we plan to get one in the foreseeable future. However, after hearing the radio show This American Life was coming to Showtime as a TV series, I personally felt the slightest twinge to jump on the boob-tube bandwagon. It is no surprise to me that a channel such as Showtime would create such a series – frankly, anything resembling This American Life would never survive on network or basic cable TV. On a side note, I find it hilariously predictable how much better the website is for the Showtime version of This American Life than its public radio equivalent. To be expected I guess.
My wife and I have been long-time fans of this show and wish it the fullest of success on TV. Honestly, I could just as easily see folks swarming to it as I could see people not getting it and quickly moving on. Being so far detached from the culture of television at this point, I am not sure if I understand the medium enough anymore to be able to make a valid prediction. Still, I cannot express how happy I am to see a TV network willing to take a chance on something well worth it. As Ira Glass has made very clear, the radio show is not going away – the two will exist together. My hope is that some of the progressive methods that public radio and This American Life have instituted – free podcasts, audio downloads of programs, etc. – will be brought into the Showtime program as well. I know that one person cannot change a whole industry, and a very established industry at that. Still, my hope is that a little bit of public radio will rub off on this one show. Perhaps TV execs will then notice that fans react well to the attitude public radio fosters – you know, putting the priority of distributing the medium to the wide audience possible over pulling in the highest profit. I guess we will see…
The Discussion
11 Comments on “This American Life Coming to Showtime – The Only Real Reason To Own a TV Nowadays”Kellie
19.03.2007 1:06 pmShowtime has a history of airing progressive television shows that network television wouldn’t touch with a ten foot pole. For example, Queer as Folk, The L Word, and Weeds. While many of these series weren’t necessarily enlightening (I’ve rented them) but along the lines of pure entertainment, I appreciated Showtime’s decisions to cater to alternative subjects. I am not a bit surprised that they are taking their chances with Ira Glass and public radio.
This American Life will hopefully bring depth to a cable station that already has broken a lot of ground. While I love the radio show, I hope its content will be able to translate well onto the TV screen. I guess we will have to wait and see!
somerandomdude
19.03.2007 1:13 pmYeah, I’m really looking forward to it as well. Not enough to actually go out and buy a TV, sign up for cable and spend the extra monthly fees to pick up Showtime – but close. Well, actually, no – that’s an exaggeration. Still, I am really looking forward to it.
I guess I’ll have to find a way to watch it through alternative means.
Kellie
19.03.2007 1:17 pmYou will figure something out.
I don’t have cable either, but have successfully watched Showtime’s shows via Netflix rentals. If This American Life becomes successful, it will likely be released on DVD. Wouldn’t it be interesting if people could selectively subscribe to certain cable shows and pay per station? The bundle package of stations, mostly trash, is unnecessary. I would love to ’subscribe’ to the History Channel, Comedy Central, A&E, Food Network, Showtime, Discovery, and the Home/Garden station!
somerandomdude
19.03.2007 1:34 pmYeah, they are going to have to start doing that because our generation is becoming less and less interested in traditional TV. As the hardcore TV fans (literally) die off, the TV industry is going to have to adapt or face the prospect of dying off with them. I myself wouldn’t mind that – I think everything TV does can be achieved on the internet, plus more.
Why do I need to be shipped a DVD in the mail that I have to return when I could just download it? People are catching on and TV ratings/movie ticket sales are showing that.
Kellie
19.03.2007 1:46 pmI will agree with you for most of your argument. (And by the way, I rent netflix dvds because my computer doesn’t have any memory left to download shows. :-P)
I am however saddened that movie ticket sales are going down because there IS something special about the experience involved in leaving your house (or computer) and sitting in a dark theater with a giant screen and surround system. Call me nostalgic, but it’s always been a pleasure for me since childhood to see a movie with friends/family and heavens forbid, eat some trans-fatty popcorn. Escapism at its finest! Hopefully the movie theater experience will continue to exist, just as tangible books will continue to be published. Of course, I wouldn’t mind seeing tv integrated with the internet and eventuallly become a relic of the past…
somerandomdude
19.03.2007 2:58 pmYou think going to the movie theater is still a great experience? Think again.
Kellie
19.03.2007 3:46 pmAw man, Random Dude… Why do you always have to burst my bubble of happiness and optimism? :-P
To counter your argument, I recall seeing seeing two wonderful films (Why We Fight and An Inconvenient Truth) at small, local theaters. A certain couple was also present at these showings and if I recall correctly, had a lovely time too. There was no MPAA situations or fanfair…just good films, good people, and good popcorn. Another example is the many film festivals in San Francisco. While there are sometimes corporate sponsors, the experience is always pleasant or at the very least, pain free….
Wow, fond memories of going to the movies should be the next topic/story for This American Life! I hope Ira Glass is reading this.
somerandomdude
19.03.2007 4:23 pmI have no idea what you’re talking about. ;)
You’re absolutely right – it is not as bad as I am casting it. I think I am personally getting turned off on how the medium is getting manipulated and those opinions get reflected in my writing. Film and TV are very powerful and useful sources of media that (if used right) can greatly inform and entertain society.
Still, the ownership is going to need to change for a great number of companies in that business if that will ever happen en masse. Very good point.
somerandomdude
19.03.2007 4:25 pmBy the way Kellie, you’re going to single-handedly stop global warming with the amount of comments you’re dropping on this site. Seriously, Al Gore ain’t nuthin’ compared to you.
Kellie
19.03.2007 4:44 pmI may have many posts, but at least they are not as gratuitous as Yooch’s comments. :-P
Just to make this particular comment worthwhile, I have posted a link of one of my favorite projects by Ira Glass and Chris Ware called ‘Lost Buildings’. Unfortunately, this can only be found in DVD format, but it comes with a beautifully design picture book! Here’s a summary and some drawings of what it’s all about:
http://www.thislife.org/dvd/
somerandomdude
19.03.2007 4:59 pmHmmm… I know a certain someone who may just like this… I have a feeling I may be picking this up – thanks for the great link!