Netflix just premiered a new sitcom (sort of, more of a situation dramedy) from the makers of Two and A Half Men called The Ranch, and the reviews of it set me thinking. I watched the show before I read the reviews and I found it funny, fresh, thought-provoking, and original. The reviewers I read (about seven) didn’t like it. I’m not going to get into why (I’ll start to rant about political correctness and the new Thought Gestapo and all that, and that’s not what this post is about.) The important thing is that the critics, to a one, missed the entire point of the show and why it’s good.
Having lived in Colorado, where the show is set, I know a lot of rural people like this. The critics clearly don’t. Like most who live on either coast they have no clue who people in the middle states are. There is a segment of the country to be served by a show like this, who have minimal interest in shows by Hollywood scions who assume everyone lives, speaks, and thinks like them.
I submit that a show like this is perfect for a new, wet-behind-the-ears, upstart entertainment source like Netflix (new in the sense that they have only been offering original programming for the last few years.) Netflix is more interested, at the moment, in building a viewer base than they are in bowing to convention. So shows that the networks and cable cabals who think they rule the industry would never green-light are getting made and broadcast anyway.
Likewise the recent boom in electronic publishing has allowed for the publication of books that the big New York/Los Angeles publishing houses would never consider. They are getting distributed, read, and enjoyed by thousands. Add POD (print-on-demand) services like Amazon’s CreateSpace.com, and suddenly the market is being flooded with books that would otherwise never see the light of day. And I’m surprised to say that as far as I can tell, for the most part the quality remains relatively high, considering how abysmal many predicted it would be.
It’s the great democratization of the entertainment industry. No longer are a few gatekeepers with a whitewashed point of view about their industry the final say in what the public gets to choose from for their entertainment dollar. And many of these electronically published books have gone on to great commercial success as well (most notably 50 Shades of Grey and The Last Ship.)
So while the sudden opening of the floodgates has many feeling overwhelmed and afraid that their book will never be seen or read amid the cacophony of other books suddenly flooding the world, I submit this is a good thing. The industry is changing (perforce) and change is scary. But another equilibrium will be found eventually, and in the meantime we are witnessing evolution first hand.
Kevin, this is a great article. It’s true, the industry is in a state of change. But change isn’t always a negative thing. I’ve found I really enjoy a lot of authors that I wouldn’t have been able to read without the surge of ebook publishing.
I too saw the reviews of The Ranch. I’m not a fan of a couple of the celebrities so I haven’t the interest to watch it, but agreed the shows Netflix is sponsoring is welcomed. Particularly, Frankie and Grace.
I have not read a N.Y.Times or NPR bestseller in a couple of years. I enjoy mystery so I seek out those unknown. first time authors on Amazon through the mystery section. Some self-published writers need serious editing help, but I would never criticize or review for fear of hurting their feelings. Writing is tedious. I understand completely. That said, I support the unknown author and try to give them an average rating despite poor editing. Those whose storytelling and proper editing I enjoy, I promote on social media and write a good review.