2008 Woodie Awards
Network TV season comes to a screeching halt
Kristin Draus
Issue date: 5/18/06 Section: Arts & Entertainment
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Sweeps, cliffhangers, reveals
and teasers.
No, the afore-mentioned terms
are not the names of debilitating
wrestling moves. They are the
things we as television viewers
can look forward to at the end of
May. Change can make people
feel intimidated, but each year
couch potatoes draw their eyes
toward the biggest shift of the television
season: May sweeps.
Remember when reality television
was limited to pseudo-soap
operas like The Real World? Our
viewing tendencies have changed
since the early 90s. Today at least
three reality series tend to pop up
in the top ten most-watched television
shows.
American Idol dominated
most of the season, captivating
audiences with true singing talent
and Paula Abdul's awe-inspiring
lack of facial expressions.
Universities and medical schools
probably welcomed more hopeful
forensic investigators this year, as
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
remained in the top five.
And as for other popular shows
this season, procedural dramas
continued to reap the benefits of
a large viewership. Not to be outdone
by the tough guys solving
crimes in big cities, the antics of
frantic spouses also stole the attention
spans of America this year.
Sadly, summer draws nigh, and
that means the seasons of our
favorite shows are ending. With
change comes great drama-or
melodrama.
Sweeps means viewers can
vicariously live through comas,
new romantic relationships, heretofore-
unknown blood relatives,
car accidents and explosions.Yes,
we apparently enjoy these experiences.
Next season, look for more
procedural dramas. Although all
of the major networks haven't yet
announced their fall lineup, there
is no question that sleuths and
attractive doctors are in demand
these days. Without a Trace (CBS),
House (FOX), NCIS (CBS), 24
(FOX), Grey's Anatomy (ABC)
and the CSI franchise (CBS) have
kept viewers hooked.
and teasers.
No, the afore-mentioned terms
are not the names of debilitating
wrestling moves. They are the
things we as television viewers
can look forward to at the end of
May. Change can make people
feel intimidated, but each year
couch potatoes draw their eyes
toward the biggest shift of the television
season: May sweeps.
Remember when reality television
was limited to pseudo-soap
operas like The Real World? Our
viewing tendencies have changed
since the early 90s. Today at least
three reality series tend to pop up
in the top ten most-watched television
shows.
American Idol dominated
most of the season, captivating
audiences with true singing talent
and Paula Abdul's awe-inspiring
lack of facial expressions.
Universities and medical schools
probably welcomed more hopeful
forensic investigators this year, as
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
remained in the top five.
And as for other popular shows
this season, procedural dramas
continued to reap the benefits of
a large viewership. Not to be outdone
by the tough guys solving
crimes in big cities, the antics of
frantic spouses also stole the attention
spans of America this year.
Sadly, summer draws nigh, and
that means the seasons of our
favorite shows are ending. With
change comes great drama-or
melodrama.
Sweeps means viewers can
vicariously live through comas,
new romantic relationships, heretofore-
unknown blood relatives,
car accidents and explosions.Yes,
we apparently enjoy these experiences.
Next season, look for more
procedural dramas. Although all
of the major networks haven't yet
announced their fall lineup, there
is no question that sleuths and
attractive doctors are in demand
these days. Without a Trace (CBS),
House (FOX), NCIS (CBS), 24
(FOX), Grey's Anatomy (ABC)
and the CSI franchise (CBS) have
kept viewers hooked.
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