I agree with Justin, viewership is totally divided these days. But honestly, most of the time you can find a good show on Cable that is better written than the Network alternative, and with the Cable version you can usually watch them in sequence. One of the big gripes I've had over the years with Network, was the hi-jacking of episodes and spreading them out, to push and pull ratings. House comes to mind as does CSI Vegas in manipulaiting their "power" over viewers. So what happens, the writers declare a strike [over 3 cents on a DVD sale, by the way] and everything shuts down on network. So what happens? Cable hand picks their best shows [the ones they had cued up for January-March release] and drops them in our laps, in perfect sequence. Of course a lot of viewers wandered to cable and discovered shows like In Plain View, and Burn Notice, and Dexter, and one of the best shows over the past 4 years Network or not, Weeds. This year the Networks can't understand why they are losing viewers through the cracks, and they are STILL doing the hi-jack episode thing. The only thing I'll say about it is, when was the last time I watched a weeks episode, and was pre-empted for a month till the next "new" episode aired? It just isn't allowed in cable, and Network does it constantly. That's a big part of the difference, building loyalty, and being loyal to your viewers.

Sadly to the TV "NETWORKS" it's all about money, and getting by. Shows like Shark with a mid-range rating get bumped from Thursday to Sunday at 10pm, the dark hole of death to any show. Moonlight's budget runs too high, the toss it out with the bath water even though ratings were coming up. Of course the Reality Shows, which in "reality" are scripted from day one [or do you really think they just magically come up with 3 camera pulls of conversations 300 feet away, with perfect audio and handicam mixed in for good measure]. Sure, it's just a coincedence the 85 of the last 97 contestants on the big Network Reality fare have all been actors/actresses pretending to be real people. Honestly, those shows are almost FREE using out of work actors making scale, when you consider the effect and salary budget of the average CSI [take your pick] venture. Then, the Networks bring back tired, old, lame shows that should have died years ago, becuase they can't afford to try something new and give it 1/2 a season to blend and build a following. Give me fresh shows like Weeds, True Blood, Californication, 30 Rock, Starter Wife, Burn Notice, and In Plain Sight, any day of the week, over CSI [insert City here] year number 23.

WHAT AN ABSOLUTELY BORING TELEVISION SEASON. WITH THE EXCEPTION OF PRISON BREAK AND TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES, I HAVE COMPLETELY GIVEN UP ON T.V. I WAS WAITING FOR LAS VEGAS TO PREMIERE BECAUSE LAST SEASON ENDED WITH A CLIFFHANGER BUT I ONLY FOUND OUT ABOUT THE CANCELLATION OF THE SHOW TWO WEEKS AGO. THEY CANCEL LAS VEGAS AND REPLACE IT WITH KNIGHT RIDER? GIVE ME A BREAK. OCCASIONALLY I'LL WATCH WEEDS OR THE OFFICE, BUT WITH EVERY PASSING SEASON I SEEM TO BE GOING TO THE VIDEO STORE MORE OFTEN. IS NIP/TUCK GOING TO HAPPEN SOON OR DID THEY CANCEL THAT TOO?

U GOTTA BE KIDDIN bc Heroes does suck. It is very confusing.

I think a big change in ratings isn't so much as fewer people watching or even being engaged, it's that (and I'm sure some will get angry with this sentiment but I could really care) intelligent TV watchers have gravitated to certain shows, those looking just for outlandish entertainment have locked onto their shows, and stupid people are enjoying watching their mindless television.

There's very little crossover in TV anymore. There were shows when most of us were growing up (the 80s and 90s I presume) that combined some of wit and witlessness into one package of smart, funny, quirky, and stupid. Friends and Seinfeld come to mind quickly--both centered around characters and plots both insanely genius and insanely stupid. It's no mystery why they succeed in syndication--they still hold up and meld a lot of TV genres and styles into one 22-minute package.

I watch something like 30 Rock and I think it's complete trash, so I don't watch. However, there are many people who love it and do watch. But it's a splintering show--you either like it or you don't. The same can be said about most sitcom or comedy-based television these days. The humor is one track and either you like that track or you jump it to find something that appeals to you.

Dramas are where I think the intelligence vs. stupidity vs. illogical/logical entertainment argument is truly in play. Some people are going to view the more 'intelligent' shows and think they are pretentious, long-winded, and boring. Some people are going to look at more 'mindless' television and think it's far-fetched, over-the-top, and devoid of any logical plot. Of course there are exceptions to the rule (Lost seemingly being full over the top moments but also challenging viewers who may think themselves as intelligent to dig up weird coincidences that may or may not be relevant) but it seems to me that TV's becoming more niche; more fragmented. And to be fair, it has to. Cable became niche and found larger audiences in the past decade, so it only seems right that networks are going to go that route to try to tap back into the audience they seemingly lost.

I've stopped watching TV since Arrested Development was cancelled - no comedy comes close to that show (altho I've been impressed by Sunny and Conchords). Dramas... meh. House and Sarah Connor are watchable. Not sure if I'll come back to 24 either, altho I'll let the two-hour TV-movie do the swaying.

I just don't trust the networks. They don't value good scripts anymore. If you write it, they will come. And bring back AD, someone.

I cannot stress enough how much tv sucks right now. It's the worst it has ever been. I watch Prison Break and that's it (which by the way is getting a little ridiculous, but I continue to watch it because I want to see what happens between Michael and Sarah romantically. I could care less about finding all those cards they're searching for.) I've checked out a few new shows, like Fringe, Knight Rider, Eleventh Hour and My Own Worst Enemy. They are all HORRIBLE and BORING. If it wasn't for DVD's of past shows, my tv would be in the garbage. Or maybe I'd be dead from an Advil overdose because of the constant never ending headaches I'd have watching junk they call tv shows.

Life and Supernatural are my only "Must Not Miss" shows.

Of the new shows, I've tried Fringe, The Mentalist, Eleventh Hour, Life on Mars, Kath & Kim, and My Own Worst Enemy: Hated Kath & Kim and Enemy, liked the rest, but they will probably get cancelled so I'm not investing a lot of time in them.

I still watch CSI (the original) and Bones. Heroes is still on my watch list, but I don't know for how much longer - it's getting too convoluted even for a comic book.

Comedies are never "must see" for me - they always go into reruns and syndication, so you can catch episodes any time without losing any narrative thread.

I guess I am in the minority. I watch/TiVo

Sanctuary
Knight Rider (yes I know) (Deanna Russo)
90210 (ditto)
Life
Chuck (Yvonne Strahovski)
Terminator
Reaper (Miss Peregrym)
Wipeout (Jill Wagner)
Fringe (Anna Torv)
CSI
CSI:NY
CSI:Miami
Eleventh Hour
My Own Worst Enemy

Everyone check out the "Mentalist". The show really is funny and keeps you on your toes. Returning favorite so far in my opinion is "Criminal Minds". The season premier not only had me holding my breath but crying in relief at the end.
spoonergirl
wilmington,nc