Remember, quality over quantity. There are a lot of horrible reality shows, but it if you truly look at modern television, it is clear we are living in a one of, if not the best era of TV drama.

Breaking Bad, Homeland, Game of Thrones, House of Cards, Dexter, Mad Men, Newsroom, Boardwalk Empire, Louie, ect, ect. Not to mention series that ended not too long ago: Sopranos, The Wire, West Wing, Shield, ect, ect.

It's great mainstream TV is picking up the slack when mainstream Hollywood is focusing on CGI, comic book movies, sequels, remakes, and unoriginal ideas.

Yeah, I'd argue things with regards to TV started taking a turn for the better sometime around the mid-00s.  Once stuff like Lost started achieving mainstream success, it started spurring other such shows to be made.  If anything, it seems like TV has gotten more "smart" over the past ten years.  The age of episodic family sitcoms are mostly behind us, and for all the nostalgia they might bring to some, I'd argue that is a good thing.

Not to say there are negative, contrary trends.  I'd say TV over the past ten years has gone from a bell curve, with most shows being average with few extraordinarily great or bad ones, to a reverse bell curve.  We now have a ridiculously large number of bad shows, but also a large amount of fantastic ones.

I'd argue it started with The Sopranos. That opened the floodgates being such a monster culturally.

Don't forget The Walking Dead. ;)

Well now,the 00s and 10s have something to be proud of.  ;D

I miss the REAL golden age of TV back in the days when you had good family quality entertainment sitcoms.

Kids television: Probably the '90s

Mainstream television: Definitely the '00s, especially 2000-2006.

I miss the REAL golden age of TV back in the days when you had good family quality entertainment sitcoms.


Me too Howard!

I miss the Golden age of TV which was the 60s and 70s.
TV is so bad now that most of my friends (my age) cancelled cable years ago and just watch old DVDs.
We have also cancelled cable. Nothing much to watch now, nothing interests me.

Me too Howard!

I miss the Golden age of TV which was the 60s and 70s.
TV is so bad now that most of my friends (my age) cancelled cable years ago and just watch old DVDs.
We have also cancelled cable. Nothing much to watch now, nothing interests me.


Supermarket Sweep

Me too Howard!

I miss the Golden age of TV which was the 60s and 70s.
TV is so bad now that most of my friends (my age) cancelled cable years ago and just watch old DVDs.
We have also cancelled cable. Nothing much to watch now, nothing interests me.


tv is so bad now and plus you have over 500 channels too with more crap.

tv is so bad now and plus you have over 500 channels too with more crap.


It depends what you're watching. I've enjoyed some quality entertainment this year.

Me too Howard!

I miss the Golden age of TV which was the 60s and 70s.
TV is so bad now that most of my friends (my age) cancelled cable years ago and just watch old DVDs.
We have also cancelled cable. Nothing much to watch now, nothing interests me.





I hear ya. Most of the shows that are on today are crap. We have Dish Network because we usually watch MSNBC most of time-and you need to have one of their higher packages to get it. There are a few shows that I find entertaining-like Storage Wars, Holmes on Homes, and Too Cute to name a few. But, I wouldn't say that they are OUTSTANDING shows and I wouldn't call them "Must see TV." I mainly watch them because I want to veg before going to bed and those are usually the only shows I can tolerate. Most of the shows today I can't stomach.



Cat

I hear ya. Most of the shows that are on today are crap. We have Dish Network because we usually watch MSNBC most of time-and you need to have one of their higher packages to get it. There are a few shows that I find entertaining-like Storage Wars, Holmes on Homes, and Too Cute to name a few. But, I wouldn't say that they are OUTSTANDING shows and I wouldn't call them "Must see TV." I mainly watch them because I want to veg before going to bed and those are usually the only shows I can tolerate. Most of the shows today I can't stomach.



Cat


You don't even need a television package. It's 2013, a lot of companies such as CBS put material to watch on their official website.

Indeed we are in the Golden Age of TV.  With the likes of Storage Wars' Mary, Jenny, and Brandi...  :P

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT9nncxtdd035GWImTntISJ6MqYzzNbqfPnVnp_5kkCQqrRPpGphttp://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSIbEw5XouDw1h97frTXoLBWF95y0friXA016HsSqxkIn87oLhbhAhttp://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSAuhDafyY5foZgYXD6skXG_g1l2OwuBp-G8ZwunDMs94ZxYuho

You don't even need a television package. It's 2013, a lot of companies such as CBS put material to watch on their official website.



I know that but my husband & I like to watch t.v. as we are sitting in the living room in the evening when the computer is off. We usually watch the Daily Show on line because it comes on so late.



Indeed we are in the Golden Age of TV.  With the likes of Storage Wars' Mary, Jenny, and Brandi...  :P

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT9nncxtdd035GWImTntISJ6MqYzzNbqfPnVnp_5kkCQqrRPpGphttp://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSIbEw5XouDw1h97frTXoLBWF95y0friXA016HsSqxkIn87oLhbhAhttp://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSAuhDafyY5foZgYXD6skXG_g1l2OwuBp-G8ZwunDMs94ZxYuho



I will give you Brandy & Jenny but Mary is  8-P .



Cat

Indeed we are in the Golden Age of TV.  With the likes of Storage Wars' Mary, Jenny, and Brandi...  :P

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT9nncxtdd035GWImTntISJ6MqYzzNbqfPnVnp_5kkCQqrRPpGphttp://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSIbEw5XouDw1h97frTXoLBWF95y0friXA016HsSqxkIn87oLhbhAhttp://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSAuhDafyY5foZgYXD6skXG_g1l2OwuBp-G8ZwunDMs94ZxYuho





I will give you Brandy & Jenny but Mary is  8-P .



Cat




Not to mention Mrs. Dog

http://images.buddytv.com/articles/dog-the-bounty-hunter/images/beth-chapman.jpg

You're not really trying if your basing TV on Storage Wars/reality shows. There have never been so many complex dramas ever in TV history (and most of these are not generic courtroom/medical/cop shows).

Modern TV has a lot of garbage, but it isn't hard to find diamonds in it.

i haven't seen The Wire, but I have heard it was the best.  Anyone see it?

You're not really trying if your basing TV on Storage Wars/reality shows. There have never been so many complex dramas ever in TV history (and most of these are not generic courtroom/medical/cop shows).

Modern TV has a lot of garbage, but it isn't hard to find diamonds in it.


Today's reality television has a lot of junk but from 2000-2007/08 there is a gold mine of entertainment.

I will give you Brandy & Jenny but Mary is  8-P .

Cat


Mary is my favorite of the three.  :-* :-*

It depends what you're watching. I've enjoyed some quality entertainment this year.


I did enjoy some new shows on tv.

I hear ya. Most of the shows that are on today are crap. We have Dish Network because we usually watch MSNBC most of time-and you need to have one of their higher packages to get it. There are a few shows that I find entertaining-like Storage Wars, Holmes on Homes, and Too Cute to name a few. But, I wouldn't say that they are OUTSTANDING shows and I wouldn't call them "Must see TV." I mainly watch them because I want to veg before going to bed and those are usually the only shows I can tolerate. Most of the shows today I can't stomach.



Cat


My father misses the old tv when you had channels 2-13 instead of having 500 channels and you had family quality entertainment and I agree with what he said.

Today's reality television has a lot of junk but from 2000-2007/08 there is a gold mine of entertainment.


I agree.

The best writing right now in the industry is in television, especially cable (AMC, HBO, Showtime, etc.). Just finished watching all of The Sopranos (1999-2007) last night and my mind is still blown. I remember hearing a lot about it when it was still on the air back then and didn't get the hype. Well, now I do. That show really started and influenced the anti-hero in dramas like Breaking Bad and Mad Men. It'd be cool to see Tony Soprano, Walter White and Don Draper in a room together.



i haven't seen The Wire, but I have heard it was the best.  Anyone see it?


That's next on my list of dramas to watch. I know people who have seen it and they have nothing, but high praise for it. I constantly hear it's one of the greatest shows in tv history.

Today's reality television has a lot of junk but from 2000-2007/08 there is a gold mine of entertainment.
There's a gold mine now. The Sopranos changed TV for the better, no doubt.

Would you rather go back to family sitcoms or reality shows?

You already know my answer. ;)

Would you rather go back to family sitcoms or reality shows?

You already know my answer. ;)
I'd rather watch better dramas, which is easily better today, tbh. And if you want comedy, Big Bang Theory, Louie, Veep (if you have HBO)

Would you rather go back to family sitcoms or reality shows?

You already know my answer. ;)


Oh for sure Howard I'd rather go back to when the best TV was, in the 60s and 70s, ans some of the 80s.  I can't stomach most of the new shows today. Big reason why I cancelled cable, since TV is so bad these days. Not all of it, but more than most.

Law and Order was good. Big Bang theory is the only comedy that made me laugh in 20 years or so.

Would you rather go back to family sitcoms or reality shows?

You already know my answer. ;)


I'd rather go back to reality shows

Me too Howard!

I miss the Golden age of TV which was the 60s and 70s.
TV is so bad now that most of my friends (my age) cancelled cable years ago and just watch old DVDs.
We have also cancelled cable. Nothing much to watch now, nothing interests me.


I agree with this. I'm tired of the attempt to make it all so real that it's often disturbing to watch (the shock value). I'd argue that there is little to no family entertainment anymore at all (on TV).

I'd rather watch better dramas, which is easily better today, tbh. And if you want comedy, Big Bang Theory, Louie, Veep (if you have HBO)


I liked family sitcoms such as Family Ties, Different Strokes, Cosby Show and Webster.

Oh for sure Howard I'd rather go back to when the best TV was, in the 60s and 70s, ans some of the 80s.  I can't stomach most of the new shows today. Big reason why I cancelled cable, since TV is so bad these days. Not all of it, but more than most.

Law and Order was good. Big Bang theory is the only comedy that made me laugh in 20 years or so.


You can watch family sitcoms on Antenna TV.

I agree with this. I'm tired of the attempt to make it all so real that it's often disturbing to watch (the shock value). I'd argue that there is little to no family entertainment anymore at all (on TV).


the question is, what happened to television? ???

Justified is the best show I've seen in years, but it seems like I'm the only one who's ever heard of it.  :-\\

the question is, what happened to television? ???
Have you ever watched or tried to watch these shows:

Breaking Bad, Game of Thrones, Dexter, House of Cards, The Walking Dead, Boardwalk Empire, Justified, Mad Men, Sons of Anarchy, Homeland, The Newsroom

or (if comedy is your thing):

Arrested Development, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Community, Modern Family, Big Bang Theory, Veep, Louie, How I Met Your Mother, Parks and Recreation

All of these are on the air, and if you can't like it just because it isn't a thirty minute family sitcom, than you'll probably never like any new show.

You don't see shows like Manimal on TV any more.

http://www.starburstmagazine.com/images/sept2012/manimal_1983_2.jpg

Arrested Development, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Community, Modern Family, Big Bang Theory, Veep, Louie, How I Met Your Mother, Parks and Recreation

I love The Big Bang Theory, that's pretty funny and I do watch How I Met Your Mother once in a while.

You don't see shows like Manimal on TV any more.

http://www.starburstmagazine.com/images/sept2012/manimal_1983_2.jpg


Nope, you don't see shows like that anymore.

Nope, you don't see shows like that anymore.


Yeah, what ever happened to quality TV programming? ???

the question is, what happened to television? ???


What happened? It enjoyed it's golden age from 2000 until about 2007 or 2008 but still pushes out some good shows. For today, I recommend British television.

Yeah, what ever happened to quality TV programming? ???


There's still diamonds in the rough.

Yeah, what ever happened to quality TV programming? ???


I think it went down the crapper.

I think it went down the crapper.


;D ;D ;D

Howard sometimes you make me laugh. Thanks.

the question is, what happened to television? ???


Nothing happened to it.  If I cruise the channels during prime time, I can find plenty of good shows

Nothing happened to it.  If I cruise the channels during prime time, I can find plenty of good shows


I understand but TV back then had basic simple channels (2-13) back then there were no 500 channels.

;D ;D ;D

Howard sometimes you make me laugh. Thanks.


You're Welcome.

Am I seeing a bit of a generational bias here?

Those over 35 think tv today stinks, those under (like me) think it's fine, or at least bearable (minus the reality tv shows)!

I was living in the Golden Age of TV for a few minutes as there is this website for us old schoolers as you can watch retro tv programs for free.

http://www.retro-cafe.com/80s/80stv.htm#.UgzFJ39TD0Q

Am I seeing a bit of a generational bias here?

Those over 35 think tv today stinks, those under (like me) think it's fine, or at least bearable (minus the reality tv shows)!


Maybe people just think the "golden age of TV" is what they grow up watching. For me it's 70s stuff into early 80s, for the young people here it's what's on now.

Having said that, I doubt everyone over 35 thinks TV stinks today. It's just a matter of opinion.
The young people today believe this is the Golden age of TV...whereas I think this


Yeah, what ever happened to quality TV programming? ???



I think it went down the crapper.

Usually the "Golden Age" of anything is in the early years when it is new, and like the wild west.  Things in the early days of anything are more experimental, less controlled.  These days everything is pretty much controlled, and more derivative than experimental.

If you into action/adventure and sci-fi/fantasy shows, then yes, it is a golden age.

Most of the shows that we used to watch are now on Antenna TV.

Usually the "Golden Age" of anything is in the early years when it is new, and like the wild west.  Things in the early days of anything are more experimental, less controlled.  These days everything is pretty much controlled, and more derivative than experimental.
We do live in an age of experimentation with cable showing ambitious dramas like Breaking Bad/Mad Men/Louie doing so well, when none of them would've been shown on the air 15 years ago. Premium channels are continuing to have success with shows post-Sopranos. Netflix/Internet TV is huge with House of Cards and Arrested Development.

It isn't people under-35 who are saying it's the Golden Age of TV. Is Mad Men for younger people? TV critics are:

http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/filmblog/2013/aug/02/television-golden-age-hollywood-film
http://www.montrealgazette.com/entertainment/books/Third+Golden+reframed+small+screen/8712000/story.html
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/seanthomas/100227955/breaking-bad-game-of-thrones-borgen-this-is-the-golden-age-of-tv-series-except-at-the-lifeless-bbc/
http://www.salon.com/2013/07/21/cable_tv_to_the_rescue_will_the_quality_subscription_model_work_for_books_movies_music/

All legitimate/famous news organizations calling it that.

For crime series, the 80s would be the golden age (Magnum PI, Knight Rider)

The 70's were the golden age for sitcoms.

The 80's were the golden age for action shows and soap operas.

The 90's were the golden age for kid shows and a second golden age for sitcoms.

The 00's were the golden for reality and drama shows.

Updating this, many of the shows listed in OP like Mad Men and Dexter have since been cancelled. A turn for worse TV or sth just as good is coming? What's your take guys and gals? I think Disney Channel is kinda stale these days, only the Raven show is watchable there.

The 80's were the golden age for action shows and soap operas.

Exactly why this was a mediocre decade for tv ;D

Exactly why this was a mediocre decade for tv ;D


I definitely miss The Golden Age Of TV.

I definitely miss The Golden Age Of TV.
Well, we're in it haha ;D

I definitely miss The Golden Age Of TV.
Some of the old television programs are the best!

Some of the old television programs are the best!


family sitcoms are the best.

family sitcoms are the best.
Where you heard the funny dialogue for the first time.

Early 2010s TV shows saved me from depression.

Depending on what you define as good; it seems we've to enter a new gaudy era of television akin to the 1980s. Below is my thread topic pertaining to the changing television landscape within the last two years, aka in the 'Trump era'. If you want to check it out or contribute, you're free to do so, but essentially theres a drift in marketing between the 'Old heads' in major television studios that have embarked in a more right-wing/family values direction (to capture the nostalgia of the 80s/90s), while streaming services (Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, etc.) & Premium services (HBO, AMC, etc.) are pushing the boundaries.

http://www.inthe00s.com/index.php?topic=56023.0

Where you heard the funny dialogue for the first time.


and the laugh track.