Why is no one watching Kings? I don’t get it. I think it’s a really good show, and even my brother, who is a complete and total snob about television, likes it. Granted, I understand that it is fairly high concept, a bit heavy handed, and has some dense language; it’s not for everyone. Clearly, it’s not for everyone if the ratings are correct, and I have no reason to believe they aren’t. Certainly the show is not as bad as the ratings indicate, and certainly the ratings should be better. In my opinion an hour long program that featured Ian McShane reading the phonebook into the camera would be worth watching. Kings is so much more than that though; it has interesting characters, a fair amount of intrigue, great acting, and a fascinating concept.
Sitting down and giving the situation some thought has led me to one conclusion: network TV has to give up.
Now don’t freak out. I’m not saying that the networks need to give up on non-reality programming, or even dramas. However, artsy TV like Kings has no business being on NBC, and unfortunately it will probably be canceled because of it. It’s truly a shame, because I think that if this show were on one of the “boutique” networks, like FX, AMC, Showtime, or HBO, it would be a buzzed about critical darling like Mad Men or Damages.
It’s just the whole ratings system that has me down at this point. Kings is still getting more viewers than either Mad Men or Damages, yet those shows remain award winning and critically acclaimed. Kings, because of the network it is on, gets banished to Saturday night and had virtually no hope for a renewal. How does this make sense?
Frankly, if I were pitching a TV show that was smart and a little off center, I would be crossing my fingers that the big networks turned me down. The fact is that high concept shows are better served by being on a small, cable network. I understand that a lot of this has to do with the economics. Cable channels get subscription dollars and can repeat episodes as much as they want to up viewership. Expectations are different for the cable networks, and that’s fine.
My real message is this: give up, networks. Stop trying to develop niche shows. Face the facts and stop trying to make shows that are smart and meaningful, leave that to the cable networks. Instead, focus on what you do best: cops (yawn), lawyers (yawn), doctors (yawn), and reality swill (double yawn).
Clacked by Bob Degon
on Apr 21, 2009 @ 10:00 EST5EDT
I second that motion! Kings must not be attracting the right crowd who normally tunes in to NBC. That is why I think they should move it to a cable network. Who can we call to make this happen?
Hear, hear! Alternatively, instead of the networks giving up, when they have a show like Kings, they could just commit to it–even if it means banishing it to Saturday night, but committing to it for X number of episodes/seasons before canceling it, regardless of ratings. I realize that is a pipe dream, but I would like to see Kings stay on the air! (With DVR now, I don’t even know when shows are airing…)
At least we got some good news with Tivo getting into the ratings game. But it could be a year or 2 before the nets start getting complete data for the whole country and it becomes useful enough to save shows that the outdated Nielsen system says are not being watched. The cable companies are also supposed to be working on a joint ratings venture but no word on if they will ever get that working. Hopefully 5 years from now there will a large enough sample that nobody will be able to bitch when a show is cancelled for low viewership, including me. Hopefully Nielsen will be out of business by then.
You’re absolutely right on all counts here.
I just read that Kings has been banished with no word on whether they will air the final 7 episodes. I’m sorry for those of you who enjoyed it. Sucks to get dragged into something you love with such tragic results.
I still blame the advertising for the show. Yes, I know I’m a broken record, but I seriously thought this show was about a “mob” family or something and the family just THOUGHT they were royalty. Until after the first airing or so, nothing about the actual concept came through.
The only good news out of this fiasco is that odds of being disappointed with any new shows coming out on NBC are dwindling dramatically next year, since they are taking the “all Leno all the time” route.
I have never seen Kings, and the reason I didn’t care to watch was because they never advertised that it was about a modern day king life in the U.S. or whatever until the show got started; and the butterfly didn’t help either. I am just saying a lot of new shows they don’t tell you straight up what it’s about beforehand to get the viewer’s attention.
How can you ask why no one is watching when this site doesn’t even review it?
I agree with most of your article except one thing.
“reality swill (double yawn)” Should really be:
“reality swill (vomit)”