Written by Jonathan Klotz | Published
In the age of streaming, I don’t care much about streaming networks anymore, and when I do, even as a procedural fan, I’m amazed at how many networks there are out there and how interchangeable they all seem. From multiple FBI shows to the entire Chicago series and new shows NCIS A spin-off show (with another one on the way), it’s wall-to-wall serious people solving crimes (usually murder). Which is why, now, 10 years after it ended, I’m nostalgic for the “blue sky” era of USA, which made a bold choice to embrace the bold colors, optimism and sense of humor that is sorely lacking in today’s television.
Blue sky era
The seeds for the “Blue Skies” era were planted in 2002 with the premiere of “Blue Skies.” monkstarring Tony Shalhoub as an obsessive-compulsive detective, but did not fully take off until 2005, introducing the cable network’s new tagline, “Characters Welcome.” While other cable networks were going dark, USA would go light instead, hence the reference to blue skies in the era name, as these shows would feature bold colors, optimism, hope and comedy with drama and bright blue skies. d not see in, for example, geese or The wire.
Over the next ten years, the USA Blue Skies Initiative expanded to include… Psychological, Burn notice, Royal Pains, In plain sight, white collar, Fairly legal, Secret affairs, Necessary roughness, Suitsand Graceland. These shows cover a wide range of genres, from spies to police, legal procedurals, heists and sports dramas. What they all have in common is that even in their darkest moments (the final season of the series). burn notice, For example), they had a happy ending.
Modern measures miss the mark
I’ve watched all the Blue Sky shows in the USA, incl Fairly legalAnd, more than a decade later, I will continue to do so Psychological, Burn noticeor In plain sight As background noise while working. In comparison, I can’t watch mad men, Sons of Anarchyor Very bad as background noise because these shows, as great as they are, contain dark, soul-crushing moments that demand your attention and emotional investment. The only time I know of an episode of Psychological It will be dark when Master Yin appears.
However, I still love those “climax” dramas and rewatch them Boardwalk Empire On an annual basis, but I have no interest in knowing what Tracker is, or its name right now Rising It has a lot to do with the hypothesis like Cougar City Done after season 1. Talk about Risinghas a role; Queen Latifah Eq The chain is starting to take off, and you know some executives are starting to wonder how to branch out Fire country. The US showed restraint in its Blue Sky-era shows and kept them stand-alone, which seems odd today, but helps make the shows immersive even years later.
Still good after all these years
Between the upbeat optimism and the closed-ended nature of each show, you can start streaming USA Blue Sky now, stop for a week or two, then pick up where you left off and pick up as you go. The introduction is over. I appreciate the low-stakes shows compared to most procedurals today, in which there’s a terrorist to catch or a killer on the loose; Each episode is a little draining. instead of, white collar He has an episode about counterfeiting a bottle of wine, and Psychologicalwhich contains a significant amount of murder for such a small town, laughs at it and ignores the absurdity of its premise.
There will never be another network roster like Blue Sky in the USA, but that’s okay because the shows they produce can stand the test of time. In another ten years, there will still be fans obsessed with pineapple Psychological. Suits Live streaming will continue to dominate, and the new generation will learn the correct answer to the question: “Where am I?”
