Television has raised writing to a new low

Television has raised writing to a new low

Samuel Goldwyn, the legendary Hollywood producer known for his witty one-liners and sharp business acumen, once famously said, "Television has raised writing to a new low." This statement, made in the mid-20th century, still holds relevance today as we continue to see the impact of television on the quality of writing in various forms of media.

Goldwyn's assertion can be interpreted in several ways. One interpretation is that the rise of television as a dominant form of entertainment has led to a decline in the quality of writing across all mediums. With the advent of television, writers were forced to adapt to the demands of the medium, which often prioritized visual storytelling over nuanced dialogue and character development. As a result, many writers began to prioritize spectacle and shock value over substance and depth, leading to a proliferation of shallow and formulaic content.

Another interpretation of Goldwyn's statement is that television has devalued the craft of writing itself. In the early days of television, writers were often seen as mere cogs in the machine, tasked with churning out scripts quickly and efficiently to meet the demands of the production schedule. This mentality led to a commodification of writing, where writers were treated as interchangeable parts rather than artists with unique voices and perspectives. This devaluation of writing has had a lasting impact on the industry, with many writers struggling to find recognition and respect for their work in a landscape that prioritizes profit over creativity.

Despite these challenges, there have been writers who have managed to rise above the limitations of television and produce truly exceptional work. Shows like "The Sopranos," "Breaking Bad," and "The Wire" have demonstrated that television can be a platform for complex and thought-provoking storytelling, challenging the notion that television has lowered the bar for writing. These shows have proven that with the right talent and vision, television can be a powerful medium for exploring the human experience and pushing the boundaries of storytelling.