Most of us over the age of 13 (HBO’s “The Sopranos” debuted in 1999) grew up in a television world where network programming reigned supreme. A lot of debate has been given to network-programming quality versus cable programming. And for the most part, during the first half of the aughts, the Emmys’ Drama Series category nominations were dominated by network shows, with the exception of the peppering of a “The Sopranos” here and a “Six Feet Under” there.

Last night’s Emmys showcased a Drama Series category completely devoid of any network nominations. And, here is how the rest of the cable vs. network saga breaks down.

9 total wins for the networks; 22 total wins for cable

NBC won zero(!) awards

Not one network show was even nominated for Best Drama this year

Out of the 9 network wins, “Modern Family” won 4 of the awards

4 out of the top 5 total award winners came from cable:
Cable
“Game of Thrones” 6
“Homeland” 6
“Game Change” 5
“Hatfields & McCoys” 5
Network
“Modern Family” 5

Wins for programs (as opposed to individuals starring in programs) were split: networks 2, cable 3
Cable
– “Homeland” (Drama Series)
– “Game Change” (Miniseries or Movie)
– “The Daily Show” (Variety Series)
Network
– “The Amazing Race” (Competition Program)
– “Modern Family” (Comedy Series)

Wins for individuals were split networks 7, cable 18

Network with the most cumulative awards is ABC, 5

Cable network with the most awards is HBO, 6

Granted, Emmy awards are not a definitive judgment on the quality of a television show. But, they are significant indications of the shift in what people are watching, and what viewers and pundits consider to be quality television.

* Wins are considered the awards awarded during the primetime telecast

In mid April, ABC’s “Good Morning America” surpassed NBC’s “Today” by 31,000 total viewers for the week, marking its first full-week victory over NBC since 1995, according to the New York Times.

Morning show wars are burning up television airwaves. The battle is fought by the three super powers of morning programming: ABC’s “Good Morning America”, “CBS This Morning” and NBC’s “Today.”

These wars aren’t without casualties, as the networks skirmish to find the secret sauce that will appeal to viewers and shift the Nielsen ratings.

Ann Curry, one of the victims, was removed as Matt Lauer’s co-host after only one year in the chair — a move presumed to counter sagging ratings. But the day after Ann Curry’s final appearance, “Today” was beaten by a margin of 670,000 viewers. Oopsie. The poor showing suggests that fans of the show are not impressed by the permanent appointment of Guthrie in the seat.

And things got worse for NBC, according to Mediabisro: “’Today’, which began broadcasting from London this week ahead of the Summer Olympics, continues to struggle. Compared to the same week last year the show is down -12 percent in total viewers and down -20 percent in the younger demo. “Good Morning America” is up +4 percent in total viewers and up +4 percent in younger viewers.”

Is CBS on the rise? Major shifts in CBS morning programming began in 2010 as Harry Smith, host of CBS’s “The Early Show”, signed off after nearly 4,500 broadcasts in December of 2012. “The Early Show” would then be replaced by “CBS This Morning.” Although CBS sits last in the morning show ratings, “CBS This Morning” continues to show consistent growth: up +7 percent in total viewers and up +6 percent in younger viewers. But CBS recently announced it will replace Erica Hill with Norah O’Donnell, the network’s chief White House correspondent. Should be interesting to see how this move plays with Nielsen.

It’s quite difficult to predict what viewers want to watch while they sip their coffees and do their crosswords. Perhaps shifting formats and rotating casts of talking heads destabilize a viewing base instead of engaging it. After all, “Good Morning America” leads the ratings, and they’ve maintained the stable presence of Robin Roberts and George Stephanopoulos for the past three years.

Television without commercials; The American Dream. But could that dream – if fulfilled – jeopardize TV’s existence? Yes, according to CBS, NBC and Fox, who have filed suit claiming Dish Network’s AutoHop violates their copyright.

This debate began in May, when AutoHop debuted. AutoHop offers viewers who record network television the ability to black out commercials. Turn it on, and all the ads recorded on most prime-time network shows are automatically skipped without having to flip through channels or fast-forward.

“How does Charlie Ergen [Dish Network Chairman] expect me to produce ‘CSI’ without commercials?” asked Leslie Moonves, the chief executive of the CBS Corporation, in response to questions from reporters on Wednesday morning before his annual upfront presentation.

Because advertising revenue helps networks pay for production costs of TV, AutoHop is a huge thorn in the side of networks.

According to the Christian Science Monitor, “The estimated $68 billion in ad dollars the television industry collects each year helps to offset the spiraling production costs of prime-time dramas and comedies, network news operations, late night talk shows and sports.”

But do technological advances have the ability to kill off TV commercials anytime soon? Probably not. The choice to skip commercials has existed since the invention of the remote, even before – when viewers could simply get up off the couch and turn off the television or skip to another channel to avoid advertising.

A very similar argument was already ruled not a violation of copyright in 1976. Sony Corp. of America v. Universal City Studios, Inc., ruled that the making of individual copies [Betamax cassettes] of complete television shows for purposes of time shifting does not constitute copyright infringement, but is fair use.

AutoHop may be a sticking point between Dish and the major TV networks, but it probably will have less affect on advertising purchases than the networks think. In fact, last month’s demand for commercial purchasing was so strong that the networks were able to raise ad rates despite concerns over viewers bypassing commercials through technology.

So at least for now, viewers will either have to suffer through commercials or dodge them by using such time-tested techniques as changing the channel, going to the bathroom or simply making a sandwich.

Television is an invaluable source for news. So it’s no surprise a recent survey of the TV-viewing public proved that September 11th was the most remembered event in TV history.

According to a recent Sony Electronics and the Nielsen survey, “The Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attack is, by far, the most memorable moment shared by television viewers during the past 50 years, twice as impactful as the second-ranked moment, which was the coverage of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.”

It goes without saying that monumental events command the eyes and ears of the American public and garner huge viewing audiences. But that doesn’t discount the power of TV fiction, which has the ability to capture the hearts and minds of America, too.

Here’s the list of the Top 10 Series Finales of all time (most of them were sitcoms).

10. Home Improvement (ABC) – 35 million viewers

9. Family Ties (NBC) – 36.3 million viewers

8. All in the Family (CBS) – 40.2 Million viewers

7. The Cosby Show (NBC) – 44.4 Million Viewers

6. The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (NBC) – 50.0 Million Viewers

5. Magnum P.I. (CBS) – 50.7 Million Viewers

4. Friends (NBC) – 52.5 Million Viewers

3. Seinfeld (NBC) – 76.3 Million Viewers

2. Cheers (NBC) – 80.4 Million Viewers

1. M*A*S*H (CBS)– 105.9 Million Viewers

Source:  http://blog.koldcast.tv/2011/koldcast-news/10-most-watched-television-finales-of-all-time/

Yawn. I am bored. The formula is obvious. The actresses’ faces don’t move. 

When Cougar Town debuted a couple seasons ago, it made me laugh. First, I think I am apparently the age of cougars and the whole cougar thing was totally at its pop culture apex. I liked the show’s irreverent, self-deprecating humor and the cast had some nice chemistry.  

Now, I think ‘all-things cougar’ are rather gross. The plastic surgery thing, the overdone attempts to be ageless, the whole ‘we are just as blatantly messed-up as men in the midst of mid-life crisis’ stuff…I am over it. It is so unflattering.

The entire premise of Cougar Town seems to be: “Look at us, we won’t grow up. We drink red wine like its water. Jealous?” Actually, no, and it really isn’t all that funny anymore to watch 40-somethings behave like 20-somethings. 

Forty isn’t the new 25, no matter how many facial fillers and lip enhancers one employs, and Courtney Cox’s manic, controlling and anxiety-ridden Jules is just a little too reminiscent of Monica Geller from Friends for my liking.

Gosh, am I harsh or what?! Bottom line: In my opinion, Cougar Town will be leaving town…soon. 

Until Next Time…

Image Source:  Helga Esteb / Shutterstock.com