I remember in the late 90s, there was a fear that the quality of TV was going to go down as reality TV took over. Thankfully, that did not happen and cable TV got better and better.
To me, there's a segment of "reality" that drags much of it down. One gets the impression sometimes that the US is a bunch of self-absorbed people doing different things, like being celebrities or being in weird competitions or being involved in niche jobs ,while making up drama and talking incessantly for the nearby camera.
But then you look at different series on different channels, even free ones, and there's a wealth to choose from.
One thing I miss from the 90s were the comedy sitcoms. Cheers, Frazier, Seinfeld, Third Rock from the Sun, Married with Children... the list goes on. I still like watching a classic Seinfeld.
I thought
Big Bang Theory was playing itself out last season, but they've stepped up the writing this season. However, it's still a ways from the enjoyment of the earlier seasons. I watch it partly out of enjoyment, partly out of habit and fondness for the characters, even the ones I shouldn't be fond of.
The other contemporary sitcoms that I've watched haven't grabbed me at all - with one exception,
The Crazy Ones, and of course it gets canceled!
Sooooo annoyed. I loved that show.