I'm not watching, but I am listening (and definitely buying).

The last time I really watched a TV show was when "Six Feet Under" exited the airwaves. Before that, as you regular readers know, it was Buffy (laugh all you want the writing was brilliant; even scholars from Oxford University agree).

During the last six minutes of Six Feet Under they featured a character montage that was so moving and set against such soulful, if haunting, music it moved me to tears. Actually I all-out wept. Four times over two days. As a result, my friends have banned me from ever watching it again as I was such a mess of a host at what was supposed to be our super fun "season finale taco and beer party" (you can see the montage here, but I doubt it will have the same impact unless you regularly watched the show).

Sure, I watch the news regularly. But besides that staple, I now "listen" to TV far more than I "watch" it. For instance, that song (Breathe Me by Sia) playing through the Six Feet Under montage? I bought that goodie right after it aired. In fact my playlists are full of shows I "listen" to, like:

• Grey is annoying, but the music isn't. I don't watch "Grey's Anatomy"--I'm just not drawn to these characters--the lead female gets on my last nerve and that lead Doctor lacks depth and isn't "McDreamy" at all. But the one episode I did watch prompted me to buy a song (Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol). I'll buy more songs from Snow Patrol but not watch any more Grey.
• Well, at least the music didn't sell-out. "Nip/Tuck" used to be TV's bravest series...before selling its soul and every shred of dignity in Season 3. Many thought the show was about ego-heavy plastic surgeons (well, now it is). But Seasons 1-2 chronicled the two primary characters working to better themselves from the inside while everyone else tried to better themselves from the outside, vis-a-vis a lot of breast implants and liposuction (the patients never got better just bigger, or skinnier). But in the Season 4 Finale, they wrapped up the myriad plots vis-a-vis a video featuring a very apt song (Brighter Discontent by The Submarines). I doubt I'll watch the new season but I did buy that song the very next day.
• The only one I don't want whacked is the score. I'm trying to get into "The Sopranos" being it's the final season. But I'm just not feeling it. I am feeling the score, though. Take the song they played the week before last: it was so spot-on and chilling that myself and others are trying to buy it...but can't (Evidently Chickentown by John Cooper Clarke). Either the producers are really smart in trying to build demand for their upcoming "final season score" or really stupid to have overlooked it being available on their site, iTunes, or anywhere else. What's particularly interesting about this song? It's nearly thirty year's old. No worries, it's new to a lot of us who want to buy it, and want to buy it right now.

My point is that music seems to be the best product placement...and the best advertising...when it's done right. When done well the music can either become its own character on the show or give more context, and depth, to the show's existing characters. Move me to listen--heck, move me to tears--and you've moved me to buy. That's advertising I've no problem listening to (and if TV shows improve I might even start watching again).

Comments

[Ryan Karpeles]

"When done well the music can either become its own character on the show or give more context, and depth, to the show's existing characters."

If you've ever watched Scrubs, this is exactly how it is. The music in that show brings everything to life. It feeds your emotions, provokes you, inspires you, and even makes you want to cry sometimes.

The soundtracks are brilliant and the music adds an incredibly powerful dimension to each and every episode. For what it's worth, I think Scrubs uses music better than any show I've seen in the last 10 years.

Thanks for sharing CK.

[CK]

Actually I have caught Scrubs in the past and the music is terrific. It lifts the segments and actually helps to cover A LOT more ground in less time (being the show is only 1/2 hour). It avails the show to cover a lot...and in more depth...than it otherwise could.

I'm really glad you brought up this example and thanks for stopping by the blog ;-).

[Becky Carroll]

I am right with you on the effect of music, CK, and not just in TV shows! I just finished judging this year's MI6 Video Game Marketing Awards entries. Many of the TV spots promoting the video games looked similar (shots of the game being played, critic's rave reviews, etc). However, the ads that touched me the most were those where powerful music was woven into the spot in such a way that I was carried along with the 30-second story, in spite of myself.

Music has a powerful influence. If I watch a movie or a TV show with a great soundtrack, I am much more favorable towards that movie or show than I would be otherwise. (That said, I am not sure even great music could get me to watch some shows out there!)

Thanks for getting us thinking on this one!

[CK]

Becky: They say that "smell" is actually our strongest sense for memory (if you smell sweetbread like grandma use to make 20 years later, or a favorite perfume your mom used to wear when you were a kid it can instantly bring you back)...but I think music is such a trigger for not only creating lasting memories but making them so much deeper. And TV has gotten so bad lately (at least, in my opinion) that I've really come to cherish music again. So much in fact that I buy it--and immediately after resonating with it. Thank you iTunes!

Take that Sopranos song I mentioned that no one can seem to buy. I have had SO many people come to this blog since I posted on it (via google searches) and I know why--they too are trying to find out how to buy it. Music definitely deepens our experience and gets us buying, too. Thanks for stopping by and chiming in.

[Peter Bowers]

I agree that the music on TV shows has gotten better and the shows themselves have gotten worse. But is there a corelation between the two? Are the writers, directors and producers now allowing the music to carry the show, where once plot and well written characters were the driving force?

Our daily life is now accompanied by our own personal soundtrack. Our ipods go with us everywhere, our phones play the lastest hits. Do we now gravitate more to the soundtrack-oriented shows?

Having said that, I also agree with the post about Scrubs. That show is the perfect example of how to integrate music into a show without giving up inteligent story lines. And yes, the Scrubs soundtrack is on my ipod.

[CK]

Hi Peter (and thanks so much for chiming in):
Good point with: "Are the writers, directors and producers now allowing the music to carry the show, where once plot and well written characters were the driving force?"

Geez, that could be its own post! Very good point. I wonder if the music has made them lazy, but I tell you, I'm about ready to tell the studios that, in most cases, shows should have a 3-year limit from "womb to tomb". Reason being is that it seems 3 years is just the right amount of time to carry story arcs and for these shows not to get lazy or sell-out.

See, when we watch a movie it's hit and run in that we're there for 2 hours. But a TV show is a committment. So when these shows do us wrong they've really disprected our investment (and TV characters literally come into your house through your TV so the relationship is greater). TV can be good, deep and rich but right now, I'm really only listening. Sigh. I used to love TV.

I do think the above point you made would be great for a post on your side (let me know if you ever run it, it requires more thought ;-).

[Erik Merk]

Try The Wire. Engaging Drama about Urban Life. The reruns are on BET right now, but it just doesn't sell the fell of the show. You can rent Seasons 1-3 from your Local Library at the low cost fo free. 3 was the weakest. Can't wait for 4 to come out on DVD, as the juxtaposition of focusing on the kids the cops worked with was great stuff.

Another worthy show: The Shield. It is as unrelenting as Nip/Tuck used to be. And it's in Season 6. The arcs with Glenn Close and Forrest Whittaker just superb and this season looks even better.

[Marc]

Thanks CK (and I'll be checking out your faves). I think sometimes the music IS the power, and the closer of 6 Feet Under proved that. Another great example is
And again that one was a bit weird because when it went viral some time ago you couldn't buy the song. I haven't looked again to see if they've got smart, but you've reminded me to.
=) Marc

[Marc]

Sorry, I see your comments section doesn't like people to share links so my last comment became a bit nonsensical. It's youtube at /watch?v=wcY_HUE7ZkQ

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