Sometimes you watch television because you need background noise. In fact I think most of the programs on television these days are design just to provide that, unless you know of a deep social commentary being provided by American Idol or Dancing with the Stars. But occasionally there is the rare standout. A program that entertains and stimulates you mind in some manner.
FX Network has gone a long way to provide some of that standout television fare. They have strived to create original programming that is realistic, and intelligent, and above all else watchable. The Shield is one of their most noteworthy original programs, but they also have Dennis Leary’s Rescue Me and the short run Thief to their claim. And they had The Riches. Notice I said had.
In a move that boggles the mind and seems like a bit of a flim-flam FX has decided to cancel The Riches. And I just don’t get it. The program was unique, well acted, and well written. There are only a handful of television shows across all 500 channels that you can say the same things for. I have to imagine that some of the uber-brilliant minds for the SciFi channel recently jumped ship to FX.
Now FX Network has said the ratings were poor. Which might be true. Except when you think of reality. Back in the 1970’s a hit show like Happy Days or M.A.S.H. easily could gather 20 or 30% or more of the national television viewers. Of course there were only 3 television stations providing shows then (yes in the world before cable there were just 3 national channels). Up until the 1980 when FOX created it’s upstart channel it was a 3 way race.
But once FOX became number 4, and then cable networks decided to grab a slice of the pie, everything changed. A hit program went from dominating the nation, to just being lucky to have double digit viewers. The combination of viewers watching Seinfeld and Friends (on a good night) might just match those that watched the Brady Bunch (on average during it’s original run).
Suffice to say that ratings are not what they used to be. And FX is good, but it’s hardly the only or main go to channel in a sea of channels competing for a sliver of attention. So the fact that The Riches did not hit the bleachers in 2 years means nothing to me. Most programs these days don’t gather a following until year 3 or so. Look at Cheers, or Farscape, or House or anything that has become a hit since 1995.
I think FX has made a horrible mistake. Minnie Driver has been solid and believable in her role as Dahlia, the mother of the show. Eddie Izzard has made a remarkable standout performance. His work in standup, and bit roles in movies like Ocean’s 12 and 13, gave no hint that he was capable of the performance he has made as the father, Wayne. I would put their performances against every other program on television today, and guarantee it will catch eyeballs and isn’t that what the networks really care about?
The Riches did not fail, I think the FX Network executives have. And if FX replaces this program with some sappy sitcom, or ill-conceived remake, or a poorly written lawyer drama I’ll be pissed. If they touch on any kind of ‘reality’ television programming I’ll never watch the station again. FX Network has set the bar high for themselves, and if they can’t match the caliber The Riches, Minnie Driver and Eddie Izzard hit they just shot themselves in the foot. Because bait-and-switch doesn’t work in television programming.
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