Fantasy Island was Love Boat on ground. Two And A Half Men is a sad copy of The Odd Couple.

The Apprentice is Survivor. American Idol is half Gong Show, half Star Search.

Movie output features comic books and remakes of old TV shows. There’s no welcome mat at movie or TV studios for original ideas. Such things are very rare and must fight to survive.

The demand heard, as soon as there’s a success is “give me a copy of that but different.” FOR GOOD REASON. Entertainment industry leaders recognize the heightened risks of leadership, and much prefer the less hazardous pursuit of mimicry, riding rather than creating trends, re-labeling, re-cycling. In some instances their theft is blatant and obvious.

In other cases, less noticeable to the public but easily recognized by insiders.
(more…)