Why are so many TV series, badly written?
 

They take a good story line, and add to it sub plots that are cloned from a small pot.

The sub plot of one of the main characters having an affair, the lead male being divorced and having to care for his kids, or not care about them, and similar. By the end of the program we've watched 50% about the plot and the rest is about nothing.

Why can't they concentrate on he main story line and build around that?

Also getting tired of the rogue cop, Dirty Harry character, coming good by doing things that would get them killed or sacked in the real world.

OK got that off my chest. Off to watch the TV and have elevenses. :1orglaugh

Dont you dare badmouthing the new season of True Detective ...

tv is better than its ever been, so I don't know what you're talking about.

If all they ever concentrated on was the main plot it would be boring. We want color; We want to full story of people's lives - not just the main part.

Imagine reading a book with no adjectives.

Tv knows you want more of it's time wasting filler content.

Because it's a tv show and not a movie. They need to stretch it out over a period of time.

I have been watching all in the family on youtube while I work this week.... the early seasons are some of the best tv ever IMO. Cant watch TV these days

Many tv and movie productions put most of their budget into hiring the best actors they can get but put very little coin into luring the best writers.

Average or sub-par writers being paid peanuts and you get average or sub-par series.

Thankfully not all do this. you can spot the ones who went all-in with the writing instantly, and right now there are several of them. The ones with weak writing are just as easily spotted, and for me the answer there is simple... at some point I stop watching them.

You should write your own show, Paulie ...