The semi-new, not entirely new trend in TV these days is getting really annoying. It seems like it is a trend geared more towards reality TV but, I have seen it on other shows as well. And, it is actually a two part trend that are not mutually exclusive as they can be used separately.
So, here is the trend. A show will go to commercial, but not before they tell you what you will see after the break. For example, on The Real Housewives of New York City...or whatever the name of that show is...they will prepare you for their commercial break by saying, "coming up on The Real Housewives of New York City, so and so have a tennis match to avenge hurt feelings." So, basically, they are saying, "what you will be seeing in 2 minutes is this". Ummmm, if I am going to be seeing it in 2 minutes, can't I just wait until those two minutes are up? Do you really have to prepare me for it? I Tivo everything I watch so, I just fast forward through the "coming ups" and the commercials. So, in reality, I only have to wait like 5-10 seconds before I see what is "coming up".
The next trend is to cut a show off early. Instead of the usual 1 or 2 minutes before the top of the hour cut off, shows are now cutting off up to 7 minutes early. Literally, a show that is supposed to run until 9:00 pm, is only running until 8:53 pm. So, in addition to the 4 two minute commercial breaks (a total of 8 minutes less of the show) we are missing an additional 7 minutes of show because they cut off early. What is 8 + 7? Never mind, I will just tell you! It is 15! That means we are getting 15 total minutes less of our programs. That means we are getting only 45 minutes out of a 60 minute show. Even less if it is a half hour show and they are cutting out 5 minutes early. Imagine that they have 3 two minute commercial breaks inside of a half hour show. That is 6 minutes there and they cut off 5 minutes early. We are then missing 11 minutes getting a grand total of a 19 minute show for the price of a half hour! Nice! What the heck is going on?
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