As a child and young teenager, I was an avid television viewer. TV was a good pastime, and I enjoyed coming home after a long day of school, shutting off my brain and switching on my favorite shows. Fast-forward to the present day and I cannot say the same. It’s hard to determine whether streaming services like Netflix or Hulu are to blame, but I can say the quality of television needs improvement in order to relate to viewers, many of whom are young adults.
One critique I have of modern television is that episodes are getting longer while seasons are getting shorter. Some people argue that longer episodes are ideal for binge-watching and represent a new era of television, but I believe that drawn-out episodes hurt storytelling. Many shows use the extra time to include filler content, material that simply stretches screen time without adding depth. A good example of this lies in season two of “Stranger Things.” The 2016 series, set in the 1980s, follows a young friend group that finds themselves caught up in supernatural events and government secrets.
In season 2, episode 7 of “Stranger Things,” one of the main characters, Eleven, a girl with supernatural powers, breaks away from the established storyline by traveling to a different city. There, she meets a group of edgy outsiders and begins to hang out with them. The episode functions as a standalone plot, adding nothing to the main storyline, and the new group of characters we meet never reappears. Many people believe this episode contributed to Eleven’s character development, as she ventured outside of the only city she originally knew. However, being the events in that episode are never referenced again, it does little to advance her growth.
Another critique I have about television is that shows rarely cater to college students. College-aged viewers are stuck between the two generations that most TV programming targets: high schoolers and adults in their late-20s to early-30s. Despite being a relatable topic, college life is largely underrepresented. When it is depicted, it’s usually through spin-offs such as “grown-ish,” which follows the eldest daughter from “black-ish” as she ventures off to college. Shows that do mention university often rely on the overused plot of a college freshman trying to find their place in life, which may resonate with first-year students but feels less relevant to older viewers. It’s rare to see a show centered around college students beyond their first year or approaching graduation.
I find most TV shows aimed at young adults to be out of touch with our generation. While diversity cannot be forced, some producers appear to prioritize the appearance of inclusion over authentic representation. Take “Euphoria,” for example, a show often praised on social media for its diverse cast. The series follows its main character Rue Bennett, a 17-year-old addict fresh out of rehab. “Euphoria” takes place in California, one of the most diverse states in America. While the cast includes a Black woman lead, as well as transgender, plus-size and Latinx characters, the show still falls flat in regard to realistic diversity.
Zendaya, an actress, singer and model who gained popularity as a child star on Disney Channel, plays Bennett. This casting was significant to me, as someone who is a biracial woman of the same complexion as her. “Euphoria” was a popular show when I was in high school, and seeing a large number of people enjoy a series with a Black lead was uplifting– at least until I realized Bennett was often pushed to the sidelines in favor of her co-stars. What is the point of promoting a Black lead if she’s not the main focus? While I am grateful to see someone who looks like me on screen, I believe it’s important to note that dark-skinned women rarely get to play leading roles. Zendaya is biracial and light-skinned, and that seems to be Hollywood’s cutoff for allowing Black women on television.
While I still enjoy TV from time to time, there are big problems within the industry and there always have been. Many viewers share my critiques, and I believe producers and directors would see positive change if they turned an ear to their audience.
