Buzzman
Senior Member
As long as AMC has The Walking Dead they'll be fine but its got to be scary for them that everything else they put out is just completely lackluster. Like is there anyone who is clamoring over Hell on Wheels? or The Killing? or there few reality shows?
I think HBO and FX get the benefit of the doubt because they have already established themselves with a history of proven dramas. HBO specifically is a network that is great because even if the show struggles with ratings or creatively, they rarely pull the rug out. They give the show the time to try and get better or build a bigger audience, even if it winds up losing money for them. That's why i don't mind a show like True Blood, that should be off air by now, but it gives them the revenue to take risks and explore material most channels run away from. FX follows this process to an extent, but sometimes they just have to pull the plug due to ratings (Terriers). With AMC, they don't have that track record. The shows they decide to invest in have been duds and forgettable shows nobody will remember a few years from now. The Walking Dead is a very nice luxury for them to have, but if they don;t take advantage of its revenue and start making better decisions, that will be the only thing they have. We've all heard the stories behind AMC and the troubles show-runners have had with them on multiple shows. Something obviously needs to change because there other shows just aren't good enough. Larry said that they get the last pickings on the totem pole for shows, but that doesn't mean they can't develop something themselves and start making things in-house. Just look at their sister channel Sundance, going out and snatching up Top of the Lake and Rectify, two great watches.
I think HBO and FX get the benefit of the doubt because they have already established themselves with a history of proven dramas. HBO specifically is a network that is great because even if the show struggles with ratings or creatively, they rarely pull the rug out. They give the show the time to try and get better or build a bigger audience, even if it winds up losing money for them. That's why i don't mind a show like True Blood, that should be off air by now, but it gives them the revenue to take risks and explore material most channels run away from. FX follows this process to an extent, but sometimes they just have to pull the plug due to ratings (Terriers). With AMC, they don't have that track record. The shows they decide to invest in have been duds and forgettable shows nobody will remember a few years from now. The Walking Dead is a very nice luxury for them to have, but if they don;t take advantage of its revenue and start making better decisions, that will be the only thing they have. We've all heard the stories behind AMC and the troubles show-runners have had with them on multiple shows. Something obviously needs to change because there other shows just aren't good enough. Larry said that they get the last pickings on the totem pole for shows, but that doesn't mean they can't develop something themselves and start making things in-house. Just look at their sister channel Sundance, going out and snatching up Top of the Lake and Rectify, two great watches.
