The Golden Age of Television is Now ( A Short Post)

We are truly living in the golden age of television. At no other time have we been prevalent in such great writing, limited censorship, and a pinnacle of astounding television actors. Comedies are hysterically clever, and don't dodge intelligence. All-the-while retaining dignity, even in the midsts of political incorrect banter. No greater time has yet come in the history of television: original shows like The Big Bang Theory, allow for nerds and introverts to look debonair, almost heroic, while sparking interest in science. Remakes like Cosmos: A Space Odyssey has ignited a flame within most of us to at least explore the galaxies on last time. Great dramas like Person of Interest stay relevant to our lives post 9/11. It forced great characters you cannot help but admire, even if the writing doesn't always bode well with the action. Television has found that sweet science that has kept it relevant even throughout these times of greater expectations. He Internet has forced dull television to be reinvigorated into prime time shows that people actually want to watch. Even the worst of the fray: Law and Order, Criminal Minds, and even NCIS are the top-rated shows on television. We are also at the age when the longest running television show (The Simpsons) is heating critical mass, and is destined to see thirty years on television, the longest run of an animated show in history. Shows like Family Guy whether you love or hate it, reinforce the idea that we are all indeed looking forward to more shocking television in the future. Even shows like Arrow on the CW force us to rethink the way comic book based shows can be done. So why this love fest with TV? It makes me want to be a part of it even more. Say what you will, but television has finally hit that mark of intelligence and fine writing that most beer selling books have begun to lack in recent years. Apparently, after 2009, everyone on the planet believed themselves to be an above average writer, yours truly included. Yet, we're slowly discovering the market has been flooded with drab books, while television is buying up the greatest writers of our time. Dan Schneider, famous for the iCarly series, and it's spinoffs, is one of the better comedy writers out there today. Chuck Lorre is obviously in that same category, if not leading it. Artists like Christopher Nolan, J.J. Abrams, and an aging Steven Spielberg have stolen the show with many hits and misses on the formally small screen. Today televisions are the size of small theaters, and have more technology than the first super computers inside them. They are fairly inexpensive, and they are still the number one way to watch television, movies, and playing video games. If you haven't seen the Hobbit on a 1080P screen with Dolby digital surround sound, then you haven't seen the Hobbit. See what I mean? So imagine big budgets in little shows, and that imagination and wonder that made a television the staple of the American household come roaring back into the lives of even the most busiest of 21st century movers and shakers. Granted, I do love television, and I am not arrogant to say that I love owning a television, but I also know to also read books! I cannot state it any clearer that reading is essential, but there is nothing wrong with a little television indulgence. Of course I cannot fail to mention the most popular show on television today: The Walking Dead is perhaps the key reason behind the surge in television popularity. The show is so well crafted, it requires an additional hour-long show afterwards to keep the palates wet of the near 40 million weekly viewers. Considering shows like Breaking Bad, Mad Men, and now Turn are a part of the AMC lineup, it's no surprise they are a station that went from showing poor reruns of old shows and films, to avant-garde quality content that ushers in new fans every year. Television is grand, and who knew that Philo Farnsworth's invention would grow to be a nearly required part of everyday life? As exciting or as terrifying of an idea that may sound, television is truly at its peak, and the eventual downfall is coming. Shows like Defiance, the first crossover concept in TV history ( a video game and a show rolled into one continuous story) has been a sleeper success. So when the fall of television comes, I do expect it to be replaced by the likes of mainstream game franchises, or marathons of Candy Crush. But until that day comes, let us be thankful that we still have this glorious golden age of television. TV is not just reality shows, or talent displays that seem less talent more fake rage, but great writing that supersedes the everyday. I see great potential, even in the coming storm of reality smut that is destined to take this nation. Carry on, and hope the good times roll for a little while longer. Thank you for reading the Malacast Editorial Twitter: twitter.com/mcasteditorial E-Mail: mcasteditorial@yahoo.com