Psychotic Reactions

30 May, 2003

If you will, I will now attempt to hopelessly depress you. Or at least any of you who still believe solid entertainment can be found on the television. The FCC has been seriously considering proposals to further deregulate media companies. Under new rules, networks would be allowed to own considerably more local affiliate than currently allowed. Further, they would be allowed to own multiple stations in a single city. This is greatly appealing to media companies because it would allow them to capture greater market share and thus greater profits. What's the downside? Well if you actually favor creative entertainment, you can kiss that goodbye. Evidence can be found on the radio where such deregulation has already occurred. Now the entire industry is dominated by Clear Channel which frequently owns multiple radio stations in an area and runs them all with a bare minimum of staff. Personality is completely absent. Diversity is gone. The stations feature startlingly short playlists and ads. DJs are a rarity or entirely missing.

If the FCC makes the proposed changes, you can start to expect the same on television. Networks will quickly gobble up as many stations as possible and fill them with their own product. They will become more concerned with branding than creativity. Shows that are geared for long successful runs in syndication will become the priority. In other words, bland entertainment designed to offend no one, and thus appeal to a broad spectrum of viewers. Generally speaking I'm all for the government keeping its hands out of the way businesses operate. But in a case like this, deregulation actually hinders competition rather than fostering it. A lack of competition minimizes choice and innovation and that is very bad for consumers. The FCC's plans are designed only to help the big networks and monstrous media conglomerates like Disney and AOL Time Warner.

Unsurprisingly, writers and producers oppose the plans. Generally speaking, anyone who gives a damn about the work they do will want to do the best job they can. Under the new rules, these folks would actually be required to do a half-assed job. Quality work could get them fired. Do any of you remember watching ESPN about ten years ago? Sportscenter used to be a blast. The anchors were smart funny guys who made sharp observations. They would run the show over and over again during the morning and you could easily sit and watch it more than once because it was that good. They still run the show all morning but I can't stomach an entire episode anymore. Why? Disney bought the place a while back and introduced the concept of "branding." It became more about promoting ESPN and less about doing a great job covering sports. Now you virtually can't tell the difference between ESPN and ABC Sports. The two have been merged to the point where they are indistinguishable from one another. ESPN no longer stands out from the crowd. The anchors are too busy spouting their favorite catch phrases to give any thought to the game being covered. This is what lies ahead if the FCC continues along this path.

It's funny but there used to be a time when being pro-business meant encouraging competition because that meant lower prices and better products for consumers. Now it seems to mean cutting deals that let big corporations make shoddy product with no fear of competition. Perhaps our government became heavily dispirited by its failure to reign in Microsoft's anti-competitive monopolistic behavior that they decided to just give up and go with the flow. Or perhaps it just speaks to the sort of people sitting at the top of the government.

News

Be Cool: MGM is in negotiations with John Travolta to reprise his role as Chili Palmer from the film Get Shorty. Elmore Leonard wrote the novel Be Cool with the intent of a second film. Brett Ratner (Red Dragon) is considering directing the project after enjoying Peter Steinfeld's script. The biggest obstacle is likely Ratner's existing deal with New Line, under which he owes them one more film, likely Rush Hour 3. He could possibly do that film first and then segue to Be Cool if Travolta first stars in the remake of Harvey over at Dimension. (Variety)

Casting Couch

The Woods: Kirsten Dunst is out of M. Night Shyamalan's new project. It appears she will instead be taking the lead role in Cameron Crowe's latest film, as yet untitled. Taking Dunst's place will be Bryce Dallas Howard, a newcomer most notable for her father, director Ron Howard. So far she has mostly appeared in New York theater. (Variety)

Final Cut: Jim Caviezel will be appearing opposite Robin Williams in the thriller Final Cut. The film takes place in a society where implanted microchips can record all moments of an individual's life. The chips are removed upon death so the images can be edited into something of a highlight reel for loved ones who want to remember the deceased. Omar Naim is serving as writer and director on the project. Shooting begins June 29. (Variety)