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Lie To Me = The Mentalist = The Listener = copycat shows?

  • 17-05-2009 11:39PM
    #1
    Richard Dower
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 21,634 ✭✭✭✭


    All have the same basic premise?, why do networks copy each other? :mad:


Comments

  • #2
    ixoy
    Moderators, Entertainment Moderators Posts: 18,045 Mod ✭✭✭✭ixoy


    Well I kind of understand what you're saying but that's just a basic premise - a highly observational person makes deductions on people. Sure that started out with Sherlock Holmes.

    More recently, you could say they copied say 'Monk' (he notices minutiae although he's rubbish with people) or say Detective Bobby Goren in 'Law & Order: Criminal Intent'. Yet these shows are sufficiently different to survive on their own merits - whether it's taking a more humour approach, or a large crew, etc etc. Now I don't know "Lie to Me" or "The Listener" and maybe they are particularly similar but, if done right, I don't see why they we couldn't have them all.

    Not that I'll be watching of course - I'd prefer something far more original like "Pushing Daisies" but the general public don't seem to want that and, if it must be cop shows, there's still room out there for good ones and variety within that sub-genre.


  • #3
    Leaderbored
    Closed Accounts Posts: 329 ✭✭Leaderbored


    Richard Dower wrote: »
    All have the same basic premise?, why do networks copy each other? :mad:


    Because when a formula works, it works.

    Columbo, Quincey, McMillan and Wife; (Quirky Detectives with a passing relationship with the law) Murder She Wrote, Diagnosis murder, the Father Dowling mysteries (Non-detectives who dabble in crime solving) CSI, Criminal Minds, NCIS; (Disparate groups of co-workers who solve crimes despite crippling personal issues) etc etc ad infinitum.

    The attempted reproduction of success has been a factor of televisual entertainment since the medium was born. They appear to be under the impression that there's enough airtime to go round, and even though it doesn't always work (Monk x Ironside + Law and Order = Sue Thomas FB EYE, anyone?) , Im ok with it if it means that I get to see Psych AND The Mentalist, The X Files AND Dark Skies, The Shield AND The Wire, The Twilight Zone AND The Outer Limits etc etc..

    If there was some kind of "first past the post" rule in place, I wouldn't be able to do that.


  • #4
    jor el
    Closed Accounts Posts: 16,713 ✭✭✭✭jor el


    ixoy wrote: »
    Now I don't know "Lie to Me" or "The Listener" and maybe they are particularly similar but,

    I've not seen either of these, in fact, I've never heard of them, but when I first heard of The Mentalist, I thought it sounded a lot like Psych. Now Psych sounded like a good idea, but after watching a few episodes, you quickly realise that the main character is a complete arsehole. The Mentalist, while being roughly similar (man with powers of observation helps solve crime) is far better, in a completely unrealistic but entertaining way.

    So, they may all be similar shows, but you can say that about a lot of shows. Dollhouse and My Own Worst Enemy. The Startrek franchise. The Stargate franchise. If it works, then modify it a little, and do it again.


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