John Landgraf, the FX head who for years has been able to predict the fortunes of the TV industry with uncanny ability, recently said that this year will see “peak TV” finally peak. By his accounts, 357 scripted shows were launched in the first six months of 2022 alone, up 16% from a year ago. This, obviously, is more television than any one person can possibly watch. The good news is that with Netflix faltering and HBO Max intent on cratering before our very eyes, a contraction is due any minute now.
The bad news is that there are now more TV shows than ideas. It has become easier than ever to find premises and plots that have been unknowingly shared between different series, as you will see if you’re diligent enough at following the thread along one of this year’s hottest trends: the stressed-out chef show.
