Hope springs eternal at summer TV meetings
Full slate of cliches, excuses and promises on tap for fall
Some things in TV never change. Another summer meeting of the TV Critics Association has come to an end, after 16 days of well-intended promises, heartfelt speeches and brazen hype. The fall’s new series are rushing headlong into production as you read this, and there isn’t a single downbeat note among them — yet.
For all the promises of different shows for different times, though, many of the new series will have a familiar ring to them when they start to appear in the fall: another superhero drama, another Sher- lock Holmes reinvention, more prime time soap operas about gossip mavens and, and more sitcoms about dysfunctional families, wacky neighbours and singletons looking for romance.
The new shows aren’t all that’s old. Many of the things producers, actors and — especially — programming executives say at press conferences are also the same as they were saying five, 10 or even 15 years ago.
Here, then, is a list of common phrases, fallback positions, and default arguments used over the course of the just-concluded summer meeting of the TV Critics Association.
Some of these expressions were first recorded 10 years ago by a high-ranking publicity director at a major U.S. network.
The names and faces may have changed over the years but the words used, and the sentiments, have stayed the same.
“We decided to go in a different direction.”
Used to describe mass firings, onscreen or off. Also used to explain away a sudden cancellation. “It’s about relationships.” The standard line used to describe a new sitcom. Or a new drama. Or even a new reality show. Unless it’s Fear Factor. On second thought, scratch the part about reality shows.
“We’re like a family.” Used by every cast member to describe every cast for every TV drama and comedy ever produced. Until contract negotiations.
“It was our best development season ever.” Used by programming execs to whet appetite for their new fall series. Remember this the next time you see a Free Agents or Man Up.
“It’s all about the writing.” It’s always about the writing. With rare exception, few dramas and sitcoms make it to air without a script.
“We’re raising the bar.” As opposed to lowering the tone.
“I feel very fortunate.” Rare is the actor or actress who will say, “I’d rather be anywhere right now than here.”
Unless, of course, they’ve found themselves trapped in Kourtney & Kim Take New York.
“What was the question?” Code for, did you just you ask me what I think you asked me?
“This is a business.” The bottom line is the bottom line, even in TV. Viewers who complain, on the one hand, that there’s nothing on TV, and then watch Jersey Shore are the reasons those kinds of shows stay on the air.
That will never change.