The TV 'Hook'

I've been posting my TV thoughts over the past couple weeks and talking with my friends about shows etc and I keep talking about the "hook" and nobody seems to understand what I'm talking about. I think I know a bit more on shows than my friends - maybe I have too much time on my hands or I'm a loser, either/or I'm okay with. I am who I am.

When I talk about the "hook" it's really simple - it's something to get you really invested into the whole show. When you watch a new show you're really "eh" on it until something happens that really makes you want to come back next week. The problem is we typically don't have the patience for it to develop - or the patience to watch. As critically acclaimed as The Wire is, they were on the verge of being canceled almost every season because it didn't see any success at the time with the limited viewership. Arrested Development was recognized as the best comedy on TV, but couldn't stay alive because of ratings. That new show - Lone Star - was heralded as one of the best new shows of the fall, but it couldn't make it past two episodes.

My point is - the best shows don't always make it because they don't have a hook - they can't keep people's attention. I wouldn't necessarily say it has to be some cliff-hanger or truly "shocking" event, just something that says "I really want to keep watching." And when it's a new show fighting to survive it needs it in the pilot or it's going to need a network with enough faith in it to see a few more episodes.

Easy examples of "the hook":
Dexter: Dexter was able to do it in the first episode - establish Dexter the character and the antagonist of the Ice Truck Killer in the opening 60 minutes. The end of the episode where Dexter says "Yes, I want to play." actually got me really excited to watch more.

Lost: This one is too easy. Watch "The Pilot" and there's so much you want to know - what happened? Where are they? What is that noise? What's everyone's background? And can I marry Evangeline Lilly?

24: Mmmm, how about every episode? When I was younger and first started watching it every week and was innocent and thought that Jack might actually could die, I thought to myself "Ohmygod what's going to happen?"

Sometimes though, the hook doesn't really come in the pilot, and it takes the whole first season to really get into it. Surprisingly, these shows turn out being some of my favorites.

The Wire: I'll be completely honest, when I first started watching it I didn't like it. Too slow, too boring, not enough actually happening it was all talk. I think a few things - I was spoiled by Lost and 24 where every episode you'd go "what the hell" and think about it all week until the next episode. The Wire kept building and building and building. It's real 'wow' (read: I was hooked) moment came when Kima got shot and they ended the episode with Foxtrot and police everywhere. It was gripping and real, and I was addicted ever since.

Mad Men - I'm in the middle of re-watching the whole series - the first time since I've first watched it and didn't know what was going on. The hook here didn't really come till around the 5th episode, "5G", when we find out that Don's not really Don. The entire show then becomes, who the hell is Don? It takes some turns and doesn't just stick to Don, but let's not kid ourselves - Don Draper is the focal point here. His past, his present, his free-fall, and the unknown of where he'll end up, all encompassed in the 1960s.

Boardwalk Empire - I really should watch this again before I can fairly say when it is, but I'm going to commit anyway. The pilot was great, but I didn't think the show was great until about halfway through, when the FBI came and arrested some of Nucky's Irish 'brothers' for illegal possession of alcohol. It was the first real confrontation - and outside of the pilot it's felt like the only action in the whole season. There was a lot of talking and everyone literally looked the same - too much abstract talk to follow everything.

Sometimes though, shows need a game-changing moment to recapture people's attention after waning interest - a few years on air. The moment leaving you staring at your TV with your jaw open and the only thing you can say is either "what just happened" or "holy shit." (Queue Fred Ward's "Pardon My French". What a classic line.)

The perfect example of this is:

Lost. In season 3 when everyone's going "they're just spining their wheels, they don't know what they're doing, they ran out of stuff" they drop the "WE HAVE TO GO BACK" bomb that literally shocked everyone. That was when I went nuts for the show. Even I was losing interest in season 3, as they had such bogus episodes that felt like wastes of time. Of course, the Season 4 island-disappearing act was just as game-changing. That's part of what made Lost Lost. It's why there were endless discussions on sites like Lostpedia and other outlets to discuss and try to theorize what in the world was going on.

Other "game changing" examples:

24 - Two things, all happened in the same episode of season 6. Come season 6, we sort of know a few things, mainly that Jack won't die and that he'll always protect the country. But then they actually detonate a nuclear device. The post-bomb chaos was uncharted territory that showed more than we ever wanted to see. It wasn't the worst terrorist attack ever, but it was devastating. Then, Jack shoots Curtis. I never thought he was actually going to do it. But that is why Jack Bauer is Jack Bauer. Didn't hesitate, didn't miss. It upset him - the most upset we've seen him since Teri was murdered - and that was part of what made it so important and qualifies as game changing

Entourage - I know it seems random that I included this in here, but I really believed that the end of season six - Ari's Terinator scene, E dropping the "will you marry me" bomb, really got the "feel-good nature" of the show back and gave me renewed interest.

You see other shows pulling some kind of a stunt at the end of the season to make the next season seem interesting - Nip/Tuck moving from Miami to LA, Weeds moving from the rich white suburbs to Mexico, the ever-evolving name of where Don Draper works, Jack Bauer moving from LA after 6 years to DC then New York, when Heroes introduced Villains. It's all kind of a cheap way to renew interest.

Anyways, I'm starting to ramble, but I've gotten my point across. I'm not sure why I really felt the urge to post this, and realize I probably watch way more TV than most of my friends.

Do you guys still want to be my friend?

Comparing the LOST and 24 Finales

This week I lost a bit of my entertainment soul. For the past 6 and 9 years, I've had Lost and 24 to watch every Monday and Tuesday. It made my week go much quicker. These were shows I was heavily invested in. Of course 24 has been declining steadily for the past few years (I would say Season 5 was the last awesome season, and 6 was just decent. 7 and 8 bordered on absurd, but the change of scenery helped keep it somewhat interesting.)

The shows are two different entries - obviously one that attempts to be "real" and another that started as real and crossed into the sci-fi realm. Both played with time constraints, one on purpose and one using it more liberally than it should have (no way Jack Bauer could stay awake, not eat, not go to the bathroom, and always have a charged phone available for 24 consecutive hours.)

Regardless, the shows provided me with enormous amounts of entertainment during my adolescent and college years. It's kind of fitting that both end at the same time I end college. It's also interesting the main characters of each show is named Jack.

In both of the finales, I realized the differences in the shows. 24 really is a tragedy. It's the story of a man (Jack Bauer) who gives EVERYTHING to preserve the judicial system, including his family and his health, and the system keeps trying to literally tie him down. He's been ordered to be shot on site multiple times, had martial law applied against him, and so on. I already blogged about this. The thing with Jack is that he never gets what he wants. Each season ends with him having to be on the run or on the verge of death or being abducted or something ridiculous. The minute he gets what he wants it gets taken away.

The series ends with Jack literally having to flee the country, but this time for good. He can't speak to his daughter ever again, see his granddaughter, etc.

Lost was a different animal. Beyond all of the mythology and mystery involved, the show was about a group of characters. Although Jack Sheppard died, it ended with him sacrificing himself to save everyone. Technically Bauer sacrificed himself, but never had actually given his life. He came very VERY close, but never all the way.

Jack Sheppard also had a happy ending because of the flash sideways (purgatory) timeline that Jack Bauer will never see. It's never going to be how he wants.

Lost, as I said, was a community-driven storyline. It was about how the people survive and live together. 24 was not. I was actually much more upset about the finale of 24 over Lost because Lost had that happy ending or sorts - they defeated the MIB and were able to move on to the "afterlife" together. Jack Bauer was exiled or would have to face prosecution of the law FOR TRYING TO DO THE RIGHT THING. It's the true tragic hero that I believe American storytellers are continually drawn towards because of the characters flaws. For as much excitement and great things Jack Bauer has provided, he's flawed, and only has 2 people he can really count on, but he has to leave them behind to keep his country and them safe. It never ends.

These shows were great for television, specifically network television, and I hope that we see shows that match their intensity in the upcoming years.

In the meantime, anyone have any good shows for me to watch?

24 Is Cancelled

This isn't news. I actually said it was coming back in January on this blog. It's really unfortunate, because I believe that 24 has been one of the best action shows over the past 8-9 years. Sure, it strays a bit too far from reality (how many bad days can Jack Bauer/America really have in a few years?) but that's part of the excitement of the show.

The show is being cut because it's not bringing in the ratings it used to. How could it - the storylines are getting weaker because they're running out of things to do. There's a mole on the inside every season because it's so hard to string 24 episodes together. They need something to carry it over. Most TV shows are only 15-18 episodes (even less if your on Premium channels) so 24 being 24 episodes really pushes it towards its limit. The story has to stay within the realm of "real" but not necessarily "conventional."

The other interesting thing about 24 was how the first season happened after 9/11 - obviously the worst terrorist attack our country has and hopefully will ever see. I don't like to get too metaphorical and read into something that isn't there, but it wasn't a secret that the American psyche was shaken. It needed it's confidence back. I'm not saying that Jack Bauer/24 was that hope, but they definitely were a positive light during a negative time. (Of course, The Rising was the best positive thing to come from 9/11 - thanks Bruce!)

Regardless, Jack Bauer is awesome. He is always able to overcome any and every situation for his country. Things that have happened to Jack while on the job:

He lost his wife.
His daughter constantly is getting into trouble and endangering her life.
Jack became addicted to heroin.
He played Russian Roulette trying to save a prisoner that he would be a double agent for.
He faked his own death and had to hide it from his daughter and the woman he loved (Audrey)
His best friends Tony Almeida, David Palmer, and Michelle Dessler were slain because of him.
Entered Chinese Consulate to capture terrorist containing information of national security.
He captured and tortured the President of the United States to reveal him as a fraud, but was taken away by Chinese consulate and tortuted for a few years.
After being bartered for to return to the US, he was handed over to terrorists who were to kill him had he not escaped. His country gave him away.
Following his return, he learns his brother and father are involved in a conspiracy plot against the United States, and leaves his father to die while having to save his nephew.
Secretary of Defense told him he would have to leave his love alone because of the torture and life he put her through.
Was tried and arrested for breaking interrogation rules in attempts to save his country from terrorist attacks.
Almost sacrificed his life several times on behalf of his country to save the President.
Was infected with a pathogen bomb and could barely function.

Sure, it's not all real. It all can't possibly happen to one man. But it's awesome. Jack is the best example of a patriot. Someone who gives everything he can and has for his country. He lost it all and still is playing the game. Unfortunately, this season will be the last go around, although there is a supposed movie.

I'm starting to ramble, but I'm just trying to emphasize how great 24 is and was and how great Jack Bauer has been for America.

24 Season 8 Preview

24 Season 8 starts on Sunday with the typical 4-hour two-night premiere. As a huge 24 fan, it's always an exciting time of the year for me. Last year was a huge revival to the franchise after a year off due the the writer strike and season 6 was just flat out brutal. Season 7 featured a move from Los Angeles to Washington DC and opened the show to a all new opportunities for terrorists to attack the United States.

This season takes place in New York City - another great change for the show. Sticking around the same location gets frustrating and routine. How many times could terrorists target the White House? The trailer looks sick (but the trailer wouldn't be doing it's job if it wasn't awesome)

What I'm looking forward to most is the return of CTU. Too much of the storyline in the past few seasons has been about the "racial discrimination" and torture tactics from Jack and CTU. CTU NYC will be set up and Chloe should be able to operate with no backfire. Also returning is Renee from Season 7 - a character that really emerged as a younger Jack in the making.

The challenge of a show like 24 is being able to create enough drama to last 24 episodes. Most television show's are only like 18 episodes max. 24 goes way beyond that, making the storylines drag and seem less believable. It's bound to happen.

The show almost has become predictable in terms of what will hpapen, but we just don't know how. There will be a rat. There will be some authority that will block everything. Someone from CTU will die (I REALLY MISS BILL BUCHANAN AND EDGAR.) Such repetitiveness and expensive cost is causing many critics to believe that this will be the last season. While I really enjoy the show, these things cannot last forever. It's been a great ride, and I'm looking forward to one more successful season.

Technology is Leading to the Destruction of Network Programming

I had a revelation at the gym today. 2010 is going to be the end of two (but probably four) of my favorite shows. Lost and Nip/Tuck are in their final seasons. 24 is rumored to end after this season because it's becoming too costly (and seriously, how many more bad days can Jack Bauer have?) On top of that, it's becoming more and more likely that Conan's run on NBC is going to end shortly.

While I assume Conan will be back on television in some capacity. The others will not. This will leave a huge hole in my regular television programs. I'm not sure what to do. I think it's become a state of television programing that I mentioned in a previous post. Companies are trying to save money, so they produce cheaper programs. Typically, it's the reality, game-show, or talk-show instead of a more costly-scripted show. Or a spin-off of a highly successful show (something ridiculous too, like CSI: North Dakota)

This is saddening, as the networks read success of shows in very literal terms of ratings and how much advertising revenue they can generate from these ratings. In today's age with video easily accessible on demand through various different outlets, ratings from when the show aired aren't reliable. For example, I don't get to watch Conan every night, but I'll try to watch it on Hulu everyday. Honestly I prefer the shorter format. 30 second commercials vs 3 minutes. I can watch when I want. It makes watching it when it airs not important. Technology has allowed for shows to be on demand. Legal or Illegal, it cannot be stopped.

Because of these technological advancements, the viewer is taking away network's primary source of revenue. I believe this is going to lead to less quality programming in favor of more cost-effective shows, which leads to the viewer most likely being less entertained. We can all enjoy some reality shows, but not ALL the time.

I'm not sure what the appropriate solution is here, because I don't see any stopping the Internet/DVR/TiVo phenomenon. It's just something to be aware of. Our forms of entertainment are evolving. The only shows that will get green-lit will be surefire hits. Shows that don't have great ratings, even with critical success don't keep airing. (I keep using the Southland example - I really should watch before I continue to use it.)

I think our best hope relies with Premium Cable networks, like HBO, who typically script higher quality programs than others. The Wire is widely considered by many (including myself) to be the greatest show of all time. It did not receive high ratings or garner much support from awards shows. However HBO stuck with the show and let it ride out its full five seasons, and everyone who has viewed it is thankful for that.

In the meantime, I plan on enjoying what's left of my favorite shows, and hope the entertainment industry can figure out how to make more quality shows, while finding a source of income.