You are on to something. Boston Legal was a quality drama, like a weekly mini movie series. Network TV used to be very good at this. Perry Mason, starring Raymond Burr had a successful 10 year run for example.

On NBC, the closest thing to quality drama is Law and Order and Law and Order: Special Victims Unit. On CBS CSI (original) and CSI, Miami were both decent in their first two seasons then quickly devolved into melodramas. So far, I will watch CSI, New York but not nearly as often. The plot lines are too damned predictable. Frankly, for the crime shows, the writers really ought to have the dectives and criminologists fail to crack a case occasionally which is a more realistic portrayal.

My point is Network TV used to do a good job of giving the audience great dramas which good lead actors and supporting character actors. Now most of these are showcases for Vogue model wannabees and guys so into their physiques that both come across as insincere and narcisstic plastic people no one has an interest in. Then, that great brainstorm some boardroom bozo conjured–reality TV. I couldn’t careless about the Big Brother house or its housemates or Survivor or American Idol, featuring lots of superiorly smug Simon Cowell, a guy that most of America would like to see punched in the nose by a contestant he devastates with his “criticism.”

Personally, the networks need to concentrate on getting real actors, good writers, skilled directors, and knowledgeable producers. May be then Network TV will back a real, viable, competitive comeback with viewers.

Television is essentially dead, I watch almost everything online or DVR a few select shows like True Blood.

The peak times listed correspond with out own experience it seems everyone I know is online late into the wee hours!