The Sophian

Emily, I'm not sure what qualifies you to be an official tv critic, but if you would do your homework before writing these types of articles (which try to discourage viewers from watching the shows that you do not like), you would know that the original Melrose Place also started out slow and somewhat boring....that is until "Amanda" showed up. And again, if you would do your homework, you would also know that the producers of the new Melrose Place had every intention of getting Heather Locklear on-board for the new version, which is why the publishing firm on the show is named WPK..the "W" is for Woodward (Amanda Woodward). It takes time for a new show to grow the roots that are planted. Melrose Place then, and now, is one of the best shows on tv. People like you want to talk about the "lack" of ratings, but,...here it comes again....if you would do your homework, you would know that it is actually doing ok when you factor in DVR and internet viewers. We are not in the same tv watching environment that we were in 10 years ago. It's not all about live viewing anymore. So please, before you criticize, at least do your homework!

Thank you Landy!! Obviously these idiots with no lives live only to destroy great televisoin. instead of slamming melrose place....why dont you go slam your head against a wall you no life fool!!!!!!

First of all, Pollock is writing from the perspective of a cultural observer. A YOUNG observer at that. One who comes to the conclusions she does based on her experience as a member of the target audience for this, and other similar, television shows. She is not an 'official tv critic' nor does she make any claim to be one. Instead, she is reacting to the trend of network television to attempt to revive shows popular with the thirty and over set and rework them for a younger audience. What she is arguing is that this renewal attempt fails to entice the new target audience with characters and a plot that falls short and doesn't leave the viewer with a vested interest in the show.

Additionally, I feel that it is petty to take one person's OPINION column as set-in-stone fact. Pollock is a columnist reflecting on television as an arena in which cultural sea changes can say a lot about how the medium has changed to fit a changing dynamic--of which she is a part.
And her humor (which is entertaining to read and relatable)clearly suggests that she realizes the ridiculousness of taking such a petty medium so seriously.

This column is hilarious,can't wait for the next one. Are the first two people even Smith students? It's great that the Sophian reaches a larger audience, but if not, what the hell guys? Sid needs anger management.

All I have to say is negative attitudes bring on negative experiences. Research 'negativistic personality'. If you go into any experience with a negative outlook, it's going to turn out negative no matter what. I watched it, and I love it, and I'm a theatre actress and I'm very critical about what I watch, the new Melrose Place is up there. The characters are real, well rounded and complex, it's far from what anyone would expect from this show. I feel like people are letting the show's former reputation as a campy 90s soap influence their opinion on whether they should watch this one, if they gave it a chance, they'll see how more grounded and real it is, and I love it. I'm not so insecure that I let other people's, and especially other insecure attention-seeking blogs that are so insecure, they'll just say they like a show because everybody likes it, and they'll say they hate a show because a bunch of negativistic personality types post their negative opinions on a TV show online, normal people have their own opinions and are not influenced by other people's opinions on what they enjoy watching in the privacy of their own home.

On the contrary, I think that Emily provides an insightful and humorous look into the world of Melrose Place. I think that some bitches should do their own research before criticizing a section entitled "Boob Tube" (hint: it's supposed to be funny). If you're going to take this shit seriously, please take your comments to the New York Times or National Geographic or something.

I also think that she provides an interesting point on the issue of bisexuality. It doesn't seem to me that Melrose Place is really interested in the development of a truly three-dimensional bisexual character as much as creating a buzz over the risque-ness of OH YEAH, WE WENT THERE. I appreciate Emily's stance on TV in general being bitches when it comes to the representation of bisexuality.

Dear Ms. Pollock,

I understand you felt offended when Landy was criticizing you (I was not criticizing you, I was talking about bloggers, this is a college newspaper, completely different), but I can't believe you accepted James' rebuttal and allowed a comment that refers to us women as bitches.

And if James was referring to me as far as doing the research, he should know that I have, and it should be evident in my post above. And television is fun, but like you also explained, it's also serious in that it's impact on society is undeniable. And by saying "take it to National Geographic or the New York Times", James ironically, who was trying to defend you, also put you down because he's saying that just because this is a column for a college newspaper automatically means it's less important.

I hope you feel good about allowing his comment to go through, when he insulted you as a writer and as a woman in one paragraph.

And how ironic that James is trying to say to not take it so seriously and not overanalyze the situation, and yet he is doing so himself with his argument about bisexuality and how it's reflected in the show. Aren't you criticizing others for doing the same thing you're doing?

A person's emotional intelligence, class, and upbringing is revealed in what they say, and how they say it.

I'd also like to add that as I actually am a bisexual person, I like the way the Ella character is portrayed. I don't know where you all have been, but sexuality has been overdramatized enough, television has a tendency to have a gay or lesbian or bisexual character, and their only description is their sexuality and everything their character deals with only has to do with issues of sexuality, other characters have lives that focus on their jobs, their friendships, when the token gay/bisexual character is there, their storyline OVER focuses on sexuality, there are no deeper layers. First of all, that is wrong, because sexuality does not define me as a person. I am the same person before I accepted myself as bisexual as I was afterwards, it does not define me or my personality. And the way they treat it so casually, and NOT overfocusing on it like other TV shows do to the detriment of actual character development, well that's revolutionary if you ask me what Melrose Place is doing right now. Ella is not "the bisexual character", she's the saucy, headstrong career driven girl who just HAPPENS to be bisexual. And that's the way to do it.

hi Veronica--just wanted to say I have no control over what comments get posted or who says what. There is a master server to approve comments, but they do not go to me in any way and I just looked at the Sophian Website this minute to see what people were saying. I don't know what the server's standards are, but I guess they don't check for language. I always like getting feedback even if it is summed up in "you are dumb". Not exactly constructive, but I'll take it into consideration. I'm sorry if you were offended in any way, I had no control over that.

Enjoy the rest of the MP season and please keep reading the column, your comments were constructive and very helpful. I really liked hearing your insight on Ella, you made an excellent point. And I hope Ella gets more action this season.

I'm wondering if perhaps everyone else read some vicious take-down of Melrose Place and all who dare like it from the perspective of a Cultural Expert Whose Authority Cannot Be Questioned, You Philistine, and I'm the only one who read a funny run down of some of the show's issues, complete with bonus hair commercial jokes! Hilarious as always, Emily.