'Fargo': Anthologies breathe new life into storytelling on TV
Anthology TV shows are everywhere with programs like 'True Detective,' 'American Horror Story,' and 'Fargo' winning over viewers and critics. What makes these programs so popular?
Colin Farrell in 'True Detective.'
Lacey Terrell/HBO/AP
What鈥檚 old is new again.听Over the past several years, anthology TV shows 鈥� shows that feature different characters or different plotlines from season to season 鈥� have seen a resurgence, racking up Emmy Awards and Golden Globes.听
The format has a long history in entertainment. 鈥淭he Twilight Zone鈥� and 鈥淎lfred Hitchcock Presents鈥� are classics from the height of the anthology era in the 1950s; each episode featured a separate and complete story. Today鈥檚 anthologies stretch the story arc over an entire season, and the versatility of the format is bringing new life to programming weary of reality shows and predictable family comedies. They are also drawing from a wider pool of talent. A-list actors, such as Matthew McConaughey, who starred in Season 1 of 鈥淭rue Detective鈥� (HBO), and Martin Freeman, who appeared in 鈥淔argo鈥� (FX), might be more likely to sign on for a limited number of episodes rather than commit to multiple seasons.听
In addition, 鈥測ou don鈥檛 have to keep [story lines] going forever,鈥� says Robert Thompson, director of the Bleier Center for Television & Popular Culture at Syracuse University鈥檚 Newhouse School. Take ABC鈥檚 鈥淟ost,鈥� which earned criticism among viewers for going on too long and never resolving crucial mysteries. 鈥淸The anthology approach] allows you to do these stories with beginnings, middles, and ends鈥� within one season, he says.
There is no one way to develop an anthology, and the creativity is proving to keep viewers鈥� interest. For instance, Season 2 of 鈥淔argo鈥� time travels to the 1970s. On 鈥淎merican Horror Story鈥� (FX), returning actors play different characters.听
But anthologies that take too many storytelling risks can present their own challenges. Fans of 鈥淭rue Detective鈥� loudly protested their dissatisfaction with the confusing plotline of Season 2. Mr. Thompson points to 鈥淎merican Horror Story鈥� as a sterling example of the genre. 鈥淸It] has a continuity of style and feel,鈥� he says.
Season 2 of 鈥淭rue Detective鈥� has wrapped up. 鈥淎merican Horror Story鈥� Season 5 begins Oct. 7, and 鈥淔argo鈥� Season 2 begins Oct. 12.听