A Canadian cable television channel called TVtropolis has been airing a documentary series called Make Or Break TV since September. According to the TVtropolis website, Make Or Break TV is a “compelling look at the television industry that has an insider’s take on the talent, wits, and timing that determine success or failure of a television show.”
Make Believe Media Inc., the production company behind Make Or Break TV, has this to say about the series:
Each featured show had an impact on the pop culture landscape. Stars were made, trends were started or broken, and networks reputations were put on the line. With an insider’s take on the talent, wits, and timing that determine success or failure, MAKE OR BREAK TV is a humorous, insightful, fast-paced look at the process of television production.
Not having seen Make Or Break TV I can’t comment on its quality or how in-depth it goes in discussing shows like EZ Streets, Lonesome Dove: The Outlaw Years, Grosse Pointe or Max Headroom. Thankfully, Canadian blogger URBMN has been reviewing the series since early October. Be warned that some of the language can be a little rough. Anyway, from the review of the first four episodes (covering Max Headroom, The Lone Gunmen, Lonesome Dove: The Series and Lonesome Dove: The Outlaw Years):
Make or Break TV has a handle on which cult television shows people would be interested in knowing about, Lonesome Dove: The Series notwithstanding. Quark, EZ Streets and The New Adventures of Beans Baxter are upcoming subjects. Even Unsub looks interesting. This show has loads of potential, and I hope that potential is exploited to its utmost.
Reviews of later episodes can be found here. Aside from Quark and the yet to air episode focused on Supertrain, all of the shows featured on Make Or Break TV are from the 1980s or 1990s. Some are even available on DVD. Still, it’s always good to see short-lived television discussed on current television, even if I can’t watch.
