because human taste is going backward. Before, nice looking people go on TV, or at least dress nice and act nice. Now, ugly/stupid/crazy/dirty looks got the attention and be a model for people to follow.

I think we pay the Desperate Housewives $500K each per episode. Add in the male actors at 1/3 to 1/2 that each, plus writers, producers, crew and I think it's $20 million/episode.

Everyone has their own opinions but i think Breaking Bad and Mad Men are two of the best shows on TV. Completely unknowns casted, very different original stories, i.e. Breaking Bad about a high school chemistry teacher who gets into the cooking meth business and you really feel for the guy and think you might do the same thing if you were in his shoes.

The Wire was IMO one of the best shows ever on TV (that nobody watched and much better than the Sopranos) and was never even nominated for any awards. I think it was way to realistic, depressing at times and mostly about inner city black Baltimore.

What few good shows there are are NOT on broadcast TV.

I know I don't represent the average viewer because I find most TV shows mindless dribble. I can proudly say I have never watched any reality show I just won't support that crap. I watch 2-3 comedy shows,sports,discovery channel and a few others and that's it. I spend much more time on the internet on forums like this. I learn more and I enjoy it. To each his own.