With no end in sight to the ongoing writer's strike in the US, isn't it time we quit worrying and learned to love the impending TV timebomb? There's no doubt that there's an overreliance on bought-in US shows in the UK. So now that the networks have had plenty of early warning that the well is running dry, here's a thought: how about we use the opportunity to nurture some homegrown talent? Give a few UK scripts the green light, revive Play For Today, divert your acquisition budget to development. We'll never chance upon the next Dennis Potter, Alan Clarke or Alan Bleasdale unless we actively seek them out.
Of course, it'll never happen; we'll just end up with more quick-fix, short term ratings boosters: in other words, more reality TV shows (although let's not tar all of them with the same brush: one unforeseen bonus from the US is that they're remaking the best adlibbed comedy of the 80s: American Gladiators).
But there is a plus side: writing in Entertainment Weekly, Benjamin Svetkey notes that online comedy, still in its infancy, could come of age as quality writers seek an outlet for their material. In this, Will Ferrell and Judd Apatow are ahead of the curve as usual.
