On June 5th the USA network debuted its new dramedy Royal Pains, as part of the network’s quest to offer the hippest fare on television.
Genre specific channels aren’t new, with some conceived for the sole purpose of covering food, classic movies or Jon and Kate. Yet now channels like TBS, TNT and USA, which were once resigned to reruns and B grade movies, have begun crafting their own identities. TBS is the comedy outlet, serving as the refuge for all things Tyler Perry, home to My Boys, and recently tried (but failed) to get new episodes of My Name Is Earl. TNT went a different route, to the point where they confidently claim to “know drama” and have learned that female driven dramas need a home too.
In the summer of 2002 USA premiered Monk, which represented a renewed attempt at credibility in original content in the wake of shows like Pacific Blue. Monk was worthy of a major network in terms of star power, with lead Tony Shalhoub, but was too quirky to generate mainstream appeal.
But they weren’t all hits like Monk, and USA struggled to repeat its success. They developed sci-fi shows like The 4400, which was either before its time or too late depending on your point of view, and The Dead Zone, which had an unremarkable run.
The channel abandoned the eclectic route in 2006 and rekindled the magic of Monk by essentially copying it with Psych. Psych was a light romp that made for easy viewing, but more significantly made positive headway with the coveted younger viewers (you know, the ones with all that disposable income because their parents still pay for everything).
Seizing on the momentum from Psych they attempted to champion the youth market, and this led to Burn Notice. The splashy action drama had laughs, sex appeal, and a hip ( an imperative) star that guys wanted to emulate, to the point where my roommate
developed an uncomfortable man crush.
Embracing a female hipster USA premiered In Plain Sight one year later in 2008. This show followed the same formula, inserting a comical side kick, sexual tension, and an awkward level of sincerity that dooms USA dramas like Monk and Burn Notice.
Now Royal Pains is poised to be the next hit for USA, as the show learned the recipe for success. In fact, it is eerily similar to its lead in, Burn Notice, with the most visible similarity being both casts’ affinity for sunglasses. Sunglasses, though, are just part of a tired formula that’s used to distract and dazzle viewers, which includes bright colored shirts, a constant narration of events, and tons of superfluous shots of scantily clad women to offer a pseudo taste of risqué cable behavior.
If it sounds like I’m fed up with these shows it’s because I stopped swallowing them a long time ago and am still trying to get the taste out of my mouth. Psych is the only show worth watching since it doesn’t strive to be something it’s not. In Plain Sight, Burn Notice, and now Royal Pains would be fine if they didn’t pretend to be serious shows with deep undertones, as illustrated by the constant harping about America’s failed healthcare system on Royal Pains
The morality lectures asides and withholding judgment on the love story, Royal Pains is a watchable show. Lead Mark Feuerstein is charming enough, and while there are no man crushes yet, there’s still time. Comedic sidekick Paulo Costanzo is the saving grace of the show, although his relentless banter may start to annoy soon.
Assembly line produced shows aren’t necessarily a bad thing, especially if you find a successful model, but now the product is getting old and USA network needs to revitalize itself before it falls into a rut, because television stations don’t get federal bailouts.
Burn Notice airs Thursdays at 9 pm and at 10 pm is Royal Pains, but you’re better off watching Alias and House on DVD.
No comments:
Post a Comment