Television Is Going Exactly the Wrong Direction

But lately, I’ve been thinking that we didn’t appreciate those vintage, 27-episode seasons of workhorse network shows enough. As I embrace my nightly scroll—as the algorithm populates with my diet of airtight prestige drama and bitter narrative comedy—I find myself yearning for a simpler time. All I want on a weekday is an hour of unchallenging television, made by those following the ancient code established by The O.C., or 90210, or Happy Days, or really any show forged before the streaming revolution.