Roger Dobkowbitz made a rather important, salient point on Facebook about the show as it stands today: What’s the future of a show like this in these times? I tend to think he was a bit pessimistic but the overall point stands that this is a show that, like LMAD (but unlike Wheel, Jeopardy, Millionaire), simply cannot tape with social distancing given the live selection of unknown long audience members.
I no longer trust Roger to give a fair assessment of the show. I love hearing his old war stories about his days, but he hasn't been privy to the information CBS would need to make that decision for 12 years now, and he's writing mostly for an army of sycophants.
There's a non-zero chance this changes the landscape of TV irrevocably. I certainly hope that doesn't happen. That possibility deserves to be considered. But to a large chunk of Roger's audience, the show died years ago and they're just using his post as an opportunity to soapbox and complain about their pet issues. I don't think that feedback loop is worth paying attention to.
I think short term you’re airing reruns once this season finishes up in June at least until 2021. But from there? What’s practical? Does the show die off in light of safety concerns if we still haven’t found some sort of long term medical treatment? I don’t mean to make this about the virus itself but it’s absolutely the impetus for what’s going to happen one way or the other here.
My understanding is that "flattening the curve" assumes that people are going to get sick, but if we stretch that period out our hospitals can cope. It does not assume that we can contain it totally, or that we can reasonably keep people from getting together in groups until a vaccine is developed (which is likely 12-18 months away) But it does assume that we can prevent hospitals from being overwhelmed and that those most at risk will be able to get the care they need.
It is unreasonable to assume everybody will be able to keep up social distancing for a year. People are going to have to be reintroduced into society before there's a real vaccine, taking appropriate precautions.
But that isn't going to happen on the same schedule all over the country. Different areas are going to have different timetables of recovery. Some areas are going to be fine after a few weeks and get to move on, but that does not mean the rest of the country is safe to follow suit.
California began social distancing early. They have been doing a fine job of flattening the curve, which will save lives and prevent hospitals from being overwhelmed. That also has the side effect of stretching the curve out.
Even if other areas in the country get cleared to be reintroduced, theaters open, etc., that doesn't mean that LA is going to suddenly be open for business and they're going to just throw open the floodgates in California. Hub airports are a big potential risk.
It compares really to a smaller scale sporting event, and those are in limbo for even the fall events right now, like college football.
I would think college football has a better chance of happening than most other forms of entertainment. Whether that means playing without fans, splitting the season from October/November-February/March or pushing the entire season to the spring. If college football doesn't happen at all, the loss of revenue will be financially devastating for many universities.
I think eventually you’re going to have to try electronic methodologies through something like Discord if there’s bottom line interest from CBS to ensure new content of their well-rated program(s) eventually happen(s).
I hope not. I welcome Price trying to adapt, but doing it without an audience cheering you on just isn't the same. Price is more than its games and host and props--without the atmosphere it just isn't the same. I would prefer seeing reruns for a year before I would want to see contestants Skyping in. It would make the program a fundamentally different show.
Heck, I would even take "studio at 1/3 capacity, two of every three seats are taped off, all audience members must be under 50, in perfect health, and prove they reside in LA and didn't fly here" before I would want to see contestants Skyping in.