This is going to be a tough sell, I know this before I begin, but I think it's important. It is the rule, not the exception, that once a television show has been given its walking papers, viewership does not dramatically increase. So I don’t really expect to change the world here. But if we don’t at least try, why bother with anything? Remember, it was once said (and has oft been repeated): never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. And for that reason, I strive. I strive for the betterment of all. You must know this, you must believe this, or I’ve lost my battle before I’ve even begun.
You’re not watching Kidnapped. I know you’re not watching it. The ratings are awful, it got bumped from its Wednesday 10 p.m. spot to Saturday nights, and has been cancelled (though they are being given enough time to wrap up the story). You’re not watching The Nine either, so I don’t really know what you’re doing Wednesdays at 10. I guess CSI: NY gets pretty solid ratings, but if Thursdays at 9:00 p.m. have taught us anything this season, it’s that two incredibly successful shows can co-exist at the same time. But that’s neither here nor there. It’s your private life and you have the right to spend it as you see fit. At least you have that right, provided you watch, TiVo, DVR, PVR, VHS tape (you luddite), or otherwise record and watch Kidnapped. Seriously, what possible reason do you have for not watching the show?
Let’s take a look, for a moment, at essential elements for a good television show, shall we? Interesting weekly plot: check. Compelling actors: check. Engrossing visual style: check. Strong writing: check. And not essential — though it helps, particularly in a serial — gripping over-arching plotline: check. Kidnapped has it all, and yet, for some reason I can’t fathom, you’re not watching.
I can accept for a segment of the population, a story about the kidnapping of one’s offspring is a little too raw and emotional. There are, unquestionably, people out there who find such a subject too harsh for television, for whom it hits too close to home, or just generally causes feelings of angst.
But, thye have to be in the minority. The vast majority of you can’t possibly have such a block for not watching the show, so it must be something else. It must be, otherwise you’d be watching.
Did you not know about it? Did uber-mega-corporation NBC-Universal (a division of even more uber-mega-corporation GE) not appropriately inform you over the summer about the upcoming series? I know in the DVD release of Waist Deep there’s an advertisement in the case of Kidnapped, and I can’t imagine that this is the only place such an advert appeared. Were there no billboards? No promos during sporting events on Saturdays and Sundays? You found Heroes, for which I commend you, but that just proves NBC-Universal did plunk down some money on promoting new shows. And Kidnapped had to have received a decent percentage of that advertising dollar (please note, there were, at the very least, advertisements put into new DVD releases).
Article comments
1 - Diane Kristine
Oh, too late. But the remaining episodes will be burned off online, anyway. I didn't watch because it looked like it was doomed before I'd even seen the episodes I'd recorded. But it's always sad to see good shows go down.
2 - Diane Kristine
Hmm, that first link didn't work. Try this.
3 - TV and Film Guy
Sigh, it's already too late dear reader, it's even been pulled from its Saturday night timeslot. And thus ends another good show.
4 - Charbarred
I just don't understand it. Cancelling quality shows like this just makes me more cautious. The plan is to wait a couple of months before getting into a new show, to save myself the heartache. The result - if other people do the same as me, ratings are gonna drop even more.
And who the hell watches CSI, seriously, are all TV watchers 58 years old?
5 - Glen Raphael
To answer the question: I'd never heard of Kidnapped before I saw this article on Reddit. And now that I've read your entire essay, I still don't have any idea what Kidnapped is about or why I'd want to watch it. Okay, it has something to do with one or more kidnappings; I got that from the name. But what? No way to know. Is it a reality show about actual kidnappings? Is it a drama? A comedy? Could be anything. You seem to assume the reader already knows all about Kidnapped, but if they did, the show wouldn't be in such trouble as to need your help.
(also, I don't have cable, I just use the TV to watch DVDs. But if I had a compelling reason to do so I could catch up with the series on DVD and/or iTunes.)
6 - Phillip Winn
There are a couple of new shows this seasons that I'm recording and saving, but not watching yet. If they're renewed, I'll watch them all.
Come to think of it, it's time to finally watch Prison Break, since it was picked up for season two.
Kidnapped didn't even make *that* list, the save-but-don't-watch-yet list. Just Jericho and Heroes. I'll save them for the rerun season.
7 - TV and Film Guy
Glen, that's actually a great answer. It seems as though NBC-Universal absolutely DID fail to hit your segment of the market. I think some of the answers to the questions you ask can absolutely be inferred by what I wrote, but definitely appreciate your POV.
8 - handyguy
It's the best show of the season...but it is rather grim and ultraviolent. This kind of serial is probably better off on pay cable...it would be allowed to run its course and get a DVD release. The success of Lost and 24 led the networks to overdo the complex serial thrillers, and they do take a big time commitment.
I don't really understand why people flock to Heroes, which I find truly dumb and tedious, and then so completely avoid this. But my tastes and mass tastes only rarely overlap.