Wrapping Up 2011

It's that time again to look back at the year and figure out what worked and did not work.  Back in August, I provided the status of a number of shows that were cancelled or continued in 2011.  However, TV.com has done an excellent job summarizes the end of approximately 95 television shows this year.  I cannot say I will miss many of them.  Only Friday Night Lights was the true gem among the pile, though I enjoyed the quirky United States of Tara and the frat fun of Greek and Glory Daze.  It is also unfortunate that Camelot could not find it's way.  And the list is incomplete since it does not include a number of British shows on American television, such as BBC America's Outcast, which I thought had some promise.

I can only say good riddance to the U.S. version of Skins as well as the dumb $#*! My Dad Says.  And some shows need to know when to leave.  Both Brothers & Sisters and Entourage should have left the air years ago.  Of course, the list contains a lot of additional dreck. 

Overall, 2011 had a lot of great shows that I covered earlier.  While I am not saying my list is complete, here are 10 shows from 2011 that I thoroughly enjoyed and recommend to others.  And I did not limit myself to U.S. programs.  I listed them alphabetically so as not to give too much weight to one over another (though I think Game of Thrones was the top show of the year).

1. Awkward (MTV)
2. Borgen (LinkTV)
3. Boss (Starz)
4. Downton Abbey (PBS)
5. Falling Skies (TNT)
6. Game of Thrones (HBO)
7. Happy Endings (ABC)
8. The Killing (AMC)
9. Portlandia (IFC)
10. Shameless (Showtime)
11. Wilfred (FX)

Okay, that is 11 shows, but I only had 9 last year, so it all balances out.  I would have included even more given the space, but I had to prioritize.  I hope 2012 has such a healthy crop of programs.  And I believe every shows has been given a second season, so I expect a very full DVR this year.

Happy New Year!

The Year of Netflix

This should have been the Year of Netflix, and I guess it was, but not in the way I expected.  The company seemed to be growing beyond expectations until a sloppy price increase earlier this year damaged the company's image and eventually its stock (a 75 percent drop). The decision in July to divide the DVD and online streaming business, each with their own cost structure and websites, made a very simple and inexpensive online option both complex and costly.  By October, Netflix was bleeding members and the company responded in an email to customers: 

It is clear that for many of our members two websites would make things more difficult, so we are going to keep Netflix as one place to go for streaming and DVDs.

This means no change: one website, one account, one password…in other words, no Qwikster.

While the July price change was necessary, we are now done with price changes.

Now Nexflix's CEO, Reed Hastings, will lose $1.5 million from his compensation in 2012 after his stock options were cut in half.  Considering he caused the company to lose 800,000 subscribers, he is lucky to have a job.  A company that seemed to be doing everything right in terms of customer service slammed into a wall that it created.  The cable companies, Apple, and others expanding in the online TV/movie business now have a second wind and they will use it to grab even more market share. As with the missteps of Facebook on member security, the new economy is still being run by humans and their accompanying pride.  Customers want choices and are willing to walk when they are taken for granted.  

Watching Programs on Facebook

Recently I tried out a new series only available to viewers on Facebook.  First broadcast in October, the new program, Aim High, is so far only six short episodes that together would create a one hour episode.  It is the story of a high school student who also operates as a government agent/assassin.  Starring Jackson Rathbonet from the Twilight movies and Aimee Teegarden from Friday Night Lights, it is a good adventure that utilizes information from your Facebook page within the show.  As a result, you may see your name on a poster or in the form of graffiti.  While it is not as much fun as Awkward, nor does it pack the punch of Teen Wolf, it may find a more permanent place one of these days on network television. And I hope it does, since watching six to seven minutes clips becomes a lot of work.  In fact, I would rather have the option to buy a season pass on iTunes.  I cannot find any news about a "season two, but I will post what I learn here on the site.