Is reality TV killing scripted TV?
Or leading to the end of “civilization”? Those are some of the subjects that arose in a recent panel discussion at the TCA (Television Critics Association) press tour. This from veteran scripted TV show runner Phil Rosenthal:
Rosenthal — who recently directed and starred in the documentary Exporting Raymond, about his journey to shepherd Everybody Loves Raymond into the Russian market — blamed reality television for diverting network resources from scripted television.
“Sure they’re to blame because they’re cheap to do,” he said. “The glut of reality shows that we’re seeing could signal something larger than just a trend. And that is the end of civilization.”
This is my default Twitter line whenever I see another dumb reality TV series get a green light: “We’re very near the end of civilization.”
So my question to you: Is reality TV killing scripted TV?
There’s another important comment in the article from “Nurse Jackie” co-creator Linda Wallem:
“You’re talking to a room full of fear,” she said. “You literally have to deal with their [network executives] fears in that room.
Hm. Where have we heard that before?
For more of the Hollywood Reporter article, go here.