I think most people would agree that the vast majority of programmes on TV are dull. Paul Abbott (writer of Shameless), narrows it down to drama.
The writer of hit series Shameless has said TV drama is “under-ambitious, predictable and needlessly boring”.
Paul Abbott criticised Footballers’ Wives for “regressing to lower standards” while praising US show Lost for setting “a new benchmark”.
From the BBC
I had to chuckle to myself when I read that comment about Footballers’ Wives. That particular ‘drama’ (not sure I’d call it that), is utter dross. It’s barely better than the 80’s shows like Dynasty (from which I’ll move swiftly on, baaaad memories there!).
Shameless however is a breath of fresh air. It’s both incredibly funny and powerfully tragic. The antics of the various family members in Shameless are surreal, yet at the same time hover very close to a societal truth. Each and every episode is a roller coaster ride of highs and lows, laughter and sadness, with conventional boundaries crossed rather than diverted.
That is what modern drama should aspire to be. I hope Paul Abbot continues to shake up the world of drama with his fresh and innovative style of writing.
For the fans of Footballers’ Wives out there – really, you may as well just go and read a copy of The Sun. But then I bet most of you already do. ;)
This just confirms why I don’t watch TV. I haven’t seen Shameless, and probably never will, so I can’t comment on it, but for the most part I find about 90% of TV totally crap. If I watch at all it’s not until about 1:30am when I can catch some ice-hockey or American football and that’s generally all I ever watch. I normally just listen to the radio, or if I’m in an aggressive mood, Tom Sawyer. :)
You should try and catch an episode or two Stuart, you might like it.
It’s about an absolutely crackpot working class family. Disfunctional isn’t the word for them, they go beyond that. :D