Well DA, I still love books because of the plot. There are films and TV out there with good plot, but I find the proportion of the things I try outside of the paperbacks is a much lower hit rate. And therefore the books are better value for my time.
I'm interested in plot, but I'd rather get it from TV than books!
The advantage of books is that they (tend to) have one omnipotent author, who can stay on top of the plotlines and (if she's that way inclined) make sure they hang together.
This advantage is a disadvantage too though. In, let's say a TV show, you typically have dozens of writers collaborating to create a plotline. This greatly increases the probability of plotholes and contradictions I guess; but it also vastly improves the chances of there being lots of *interesting* ideas in the mix as opposed to just one or two. Even better, instead of all the characters being distinguished only by the author's ability to "act" by varying her authorial voice, every character gets its own personal actor to bring it to life.
To be honest I think TV has gone a bit wrong in its current obsession with "plot arc" - because too many cooks often serve up a plot arc that's extremely messy. But I'd rather a show that had a ton of ideas whizzing about than one that made complete sense at every point anyway - which is why my favourite show is still Doctor Who I guess!
I'm a big consistency fan and always have been. Which may increase my "book" vote, I guess.
I can see the advantage of lots of writers producing lots of different characters, although I wonder how often it happens it practice. I once saw the three main Heroes writers talking about the show and was struck with how similar they were to each other. I guess it means they get along, but is probably less good for the range aspect.
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The advantage of books is that they (tend to) have one omnipotent author, who can stay on top of the plotlines and (if she's that way inclined) make sure they hang together.
This advantage is a disadvantage too though. In, let's say a TV show, you typically have dozens of writers collaborating to create a plotline. This greatly increases the probability of plotholes and contradictions I guess; but it also vastly improves the chances of there being lots of *interesting* ideas in the mix as opposed to just one or two. Even better, instead of all the characters being distinguished only by the author's ability to "act" by varying her authorial voice, every character gets its own personal actor to bring it to life.
To be honest I think TV has gone a bit wrong in its current obsession with "plot arc" - because too many cooks often serve up a plot arc that's extremely messy. But I'd rather a show that had a ton of ideas whizzing about than one that made complete sense at every point anyway - which is why my favourite show is still Doctor Who I guess!
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I can see the advantage of lots of writers producing lots of different characters, although I wonder how often it happens it practice. I once saw the three main Heroes writers talking about the show and was struck with how similar they were to each other. I guess it means they get along, but is probably less good for the range aspect.