I found it funny how big the press was for the possible writer's guild strike last week. I realize this is exaggerating, but if you think about it how many shows out there right now actually use writers? Practically all the hit shows on prime time right now are gimmicky game shows or so-called "reality" television. Not much need for creative writers there (unless you want to believe that those are elaborately scripted.)
What happened to the good old days where the prime time line-ups were dominated with formulaic sit-coms followed by quality dramas? As much as I loved Seinfeld, I think it really screwed up the recipe for what sitcoms measure themselves against. Before Seinfeld, most sitcoms tried to have some semblance of a plot line in each episode. Now it seems so many shows are just about day-to-day nonsense and quirky dialog. And because none of them can match Seinfeld because it was an original concept most of them fall flat, get low ratings, and are cancelled in favor of some desperate attempt to win the ratings sweeps (in other words, gameshows and reality tv.) We need some good writers to take us out of this downward spiral.