Are We Too Quick to Judge?

There has been some buzz on the web about the answers that TVGuide's Matt Roush gave to several readers who criticized CBS's new show "Moonlight" for being too much like "Angel".

Here's a snippett of Matt's response:

The close-mindedness of genre fans (especially from the Whedon camp, seemingly) toward any show that even remotely sounds like Buffy or Angel seems so counterproductive to me. Maybe the show won't work. Maybe it will suck. But wouldn't you like to see the networks swing the bat in this arena again? I just don't get this cynical POV.

and

I can't remember a more aggravating mindset...Is every show about a supernatural crimefighter going to be seen as a rip-off from this point on?...I can't guarantee this show will be worth my or anyone else's time... But waving the torches like mad villagers before sampling the product is unworthy of a fan base once known for being willing to go out on a limb.

For my part, in my review of the new fall shows, I used "Angel v2" to describe "Moonlight". So, I am as guilty as Roush's readers.

But, let's be serious. "Angel" was about a vampire that was cursed with a soul who fell in love with a slayer. Later, he opened a detective agency, then became the CEO of a large law firm. "Moonlight" is about a vampire who works as a private investigator and is in love with mortal woman. "New Amsterdam" is about an immortal homicide detective who will become mortal when he falls in love. There are some disticnt similarities here...but, there could be some distinct differences if done correctly.

I think the problem is that "Angel" is still fairly fresh in our minds. We read a show description, immediately associate the plot to "Angel" and then (maybe not consciously, but we do it) decide that the chances are extremely slim of this show being as good as "Angel". Heck - it is a pretty slim chance that *any* show will equal "Angel" in terms of depth and progression of characters.

But, Roush does have a point. I have only seen the summaries of "Midnight" and "New Amsterdam", so it is tough to completely skewer them sight-unseen. And, I am glad that the posters over at Whedonesque reminded me that "Angel" itself could be construed as a knock off of "Forever Knight".

So, I'll reserve full judgment until this fall. But, I'm only human - these shows have to live up to the legacy of "Angel", whether they want to or not. And, since CBS and FOX do not have the greatest track records for allowing shows to mature, they better live up to the legacy in the first few episodes. Otherwise, all of the comparisons won't matter.

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