I hear voices (don't turn out the light)

Article on Les Moonves of CBS contains some interesting statements:

Giving Them What They Want
...
On this particular Thursday, at 11 a.m., Moonves was considering which of the network's current shows to cancel in order to make room for new programs. He had decided to take a once-promising show called ''Joan of Arcadia'' off the air. The show was about a teenager who receives directives and advice straight from God. ''In the beginning, it was a fresh idea and uplifting, and the plot lines were engaging,'' Moonves said, sounding a little sad and frustrated. ''But the show got too dark. I understand why creative people like dark, but American audiences don't like dark. They like story. They do not respond to nervous breakdowns and unhappy episodes that lead nowhere. They like their characters to be a part of the action. They like strength, not weakness, a chance to work out any dilemma. This is a country built on optimism.''

I never watched "Joan" so I can't speak to that, but the part of his statement I think I most agree with is "They do not respond to nervous breakdowns and unhappy episodes that lead nowhere."

Exploring the darkness in the world can make for some very strong dramatic entertainment, I'm sure we can all think of some examples. But it takes expert handling and I think you have to be going somewhere.

I think what Americans want, at least from their popular entertainment, is not a denial of the darkness, but to know that we can look at it, face it full on...and come out the other side.

Look at a list of the top 20 TV shows. Unless I'm wrong, what almost all of the dramas have in common is that they look in some pretty dark places...but suggest a positive outcome.

William Goldman says the difference between "art" films and Hollywood movies is that "art" films tell us truths we either don't know or don't want to believe and Hollywood movies tell us truths we already know or lies we want to believe. There's a place for both, especially when either is well-made (which both can be; I have absolutely no problem with a well-made "popcorn flick").

But a badly-made piece of entertainment that only wants to divert you and fails has only failed at that. They've wasted your time, nothing more. A storyteller who believes him or herself an artist who wants to take you through some dark lands before redemption, but who fucks up the tale in the telling leaves you stranded alone in the dark. Where sometimes the only light is an oncoming train.

They've failed at something more. They can, in a very real sense, be said to have gnawed away a little of your soul for cheap thrills and affect.