bitch strike

i'm very conflicted about the whole writers strike thing. on one hand, i completely agree that the writers are correct--they should be receiving royalties from dvd and other sales of the shows they write. however, just because i think they're correct does not mean i have much sympathy for them. they're still making anywhere from 10 to 100 times what i am, and i do a hell of a lot more than just sit in a room with my friends and get stoned. but that's just me being bitter, not rational. i can admit that.

the problem i have is that the effect of this is going to be shows that are even more ridiculous and stupid than those already on television. it has nothing to do with potential replacement writers either. as it is, there are very few quality shows on television (i only watch 2 shows each week (the office and it's always sunny in philadelphia), both of which are conveniently on thursdays). once the already written/made episodes of good shows air, all that will be left are shitty shows still being written, and shows so stupid and worthless that writing is unnecessary (think "reality" television, which, although often at least partially scripted, really doesn't take any talent and sure doesn't have writers as talented as the better programs). if this is all the networks can make but people still watch (as uneducated throngs inevitably will), it will only encourage more of the shit. people like myself will go from mostly turned off to tv to completely turned off. even if the strike ends, it will only hurt the writers if it lasts too long.

to draw a parallel, think about the show LOST. i never got too much into it, but it wasn't terrible. i saw a few episodes, but one problem with the show is that each episode opened up new story lines without closing old ones. but the other problem, the relevant one here, is that when they added a lengthy period between seasons to the other problem, they lost a lot of viewers. people lose interest in things. if the writers strike for too long, they'll hurt themselves. i have no problem with that if they want, but i won't feel sorry for them. i won't feel sorry for anyone when i win the $109 million powerball coming up.

this is the most random, obscure, train of thought post ever.