For Reals

I'm trying to nail down some reasons. Mainly the reasons why I like certain TV shows. I'm not sure how it is for other people, but I think the main things that make up a TV show are the idea, the fundamental basis of the show, the characters, and the dialog. A show that does one of these well is okay. A show that does two of them well is great. A show that does all three well is so fabulously outstanding as to be almost impossible. A show with none of them... well, it goes without saying.

I'd just briefly like to touch on each of these points. First, the basis. I think the biggest one is the originality of the idea. Is it fresh? Is it new? Is it the tenth incarnation of Survivor? I think that a truly great show will have a creative idea. (this, of course, rules out almost all reality TV) The idea doesn't necessarily need to be totally new. Just look at Star Trek. The truly great series were based closely on the original idea. The new Battlestar Galactica turned out pretty well, despite being a copy of a previous show. The idea just needs to have a fresh twist, a new interpretation, new characters, or a new setting. Of course, if the new show isn't done well, then it just ends up being a disgrace. And if the idea was bad the first time, chances are, it's gonna be bad this time too.

Second is the characters. This one is pretty basic. A TV show without characters you can relate with and connect to doesn't really work. One with characters that are realistic, that seem like people you know or make you identify with some part of yourself will at least be okay. Most characters in a TV show are pretty extreme. They take whatever their personality is to a very painfully noticeable level. This, despite what you'd think, seems to me to actually make them easier to relate to. When a character becomes real to the viewer is when good shows really start to distinguish themselves.

The last point is the dialog. It's simple, and you all know this is true. If the dialog is trite and unrealistic, the show is boring at best, repulsive at worst. If it's engaging and witty, the show is enjoyable and fun. I mean, if you're going to be listening to somebody else's conversation, better make it a conversations worth listening to.

So it's simple. Truly excellent shows are the ones you can almost imagine happening. They seem real. To some people (who undeniably take it to far) they can become real. Other shows are soaps and reality TV.  Mash is, I think, the perfect example of a great show. Among the best of the best. Another outstanding example is the Andy Griffith Show. What do you say? What is a great TV show?