Sin #13: Television Knights

For decades, television shows were no match, at least on production values, to Hollywood productions. While high-profile movies had huge budgets, most ambitious shows had relatively low ones featuring stories that, while intriguing, had to settle for cheesy sets and lousy special effects.

But recently it seems that the tables have turned and American television is coming to an uprising. Programs are showing amazing technical craftsmanship and detailed and complex story lines. The acting has been superb and many great actors have found a comfortable venue on these shows.

HBO has been largely responsible for this new dawn since it allows filmmakers a so- called clean slate (there are no restriction or censorship of any kind since it doesn’t follow the usual television norms). The popularity of critically acclaimed shows like “The Sopranos” or “The Wire” propelled the channel to deliver more high quality programs including the brilliant mini-series “Rome”, that’s one of the most involving and stunning representations of Roman cultures I’ve ever seen (so accurate that it’s not shy of sex and violence). Other worthy HBO series are “Curb your Enthusiasm” (by Seinfeld co-creator Larry David) and “Flight of the Conchords”.

Other channels followed in HBO’s successful formula, channels like Showtime or AMC that feature amazing programs like “Mad Men”, “Breaking Bad”, “The Tudors” or “Dexter”. Even Fox or NBC strike high with “Lost”, “24”, “House” or “Dollhouse” (another sadly underrated and critically misunderstood show by Josh Whedon that, like “Firefly”, faces early cancellation).

“Dexter”, in particular, has become a benchmark of quality by featuring some of the best written shows in years. Its fourth season highlights one of the most astonishing character arcs I’ve seen on TV and a dramatically explosive finale (the final episode drew record ratings by network standards).

While mainstream Hollywood sometimes feels like it’s in recession time and reduced to cram out remakes, sequels or spin offs, television seems to be in a sort of renaissance period by delivering smart and provocative programming. Producers have also blurred the distinction between movies and TV by working with people from both industries (JJ Abrams, creator of “Alias”, “Lost” and “Fringe” now is a major film director and director Brian Singer is an executive producer on “House”).

So, when cinema sometimes fails to meet our standards we can turn to TV with relief, at least there are some great stories on the tube.