I'd think an all-TV thread would be just as unwieldy as apparently Natter is.

I have to say I agree.

Personally, I don't think the individual show threads work as well as the shows-grouped-together threads, but only when there's a logical connection for each grouping. My impulse would be to create threads based on genre rather on the channels that air the shows.

I think Premium is a good exception to that, since those people who get it get it, and those who don't don't, if that makes sense.The following two statements are assumptions: Most people get cable. Relatively few get premium, so that's, to me, a reasonable division.

My impulse would be to create threads based on genre rather on the channels that air the shows.

this kind of make sense. I mean, people who like Homicide, for example, will probably also like The Wire or The Shield, and would enjoy a thread on "Cop Shows". People who like House might also like to discuss ER or Grey's Anatomy on a "Medical Shows" thread. I mean, Boxed Set is kind of like a "SciFi Shows" thread.

since those people who get it get it, and those who don't don't, if that makes sense

I can't speak for anyone else, but I watch Premium shows without subscribing to any Premium channels. I don't know how many people in that thread are actually watching the shows as they air.

I like the idea of expanding Premium to be genre-based rather than channel-based. I can't explain why, it just feels like a natural expansion of the thread's current use. Of the other shows mentioned, I haven't seen them discussed anywhere else in any great depth, so I don't feel like it would drain conversation from Natter the way a General TV thread might.

I think Premium is a good exception to that, since those people who get it get it, and those who don't don't, if that makes sense.

I haven't been in Premium, so I can't comment on how well it works as a thread.

You can't make Premium a genre thread without losing some shows, can you? What does the addition of The Shield have to do with Deadwood or The Tudors?

I'm still confused if it's expansion and not more extensive reconfiguration.

Just to clarify, I'm not arguing that Premium should be changed. I have no horse in that race. I'm just saying that, if we decide to create new tv threads, I suggest we base them on genre, not channel.

I don't have a problem with expanding the scope of Premium, even though I don't watch those FX shows. Based on what I know about them, I agree that they share certain characteristics with the Premium dramas, which seem to be more than just fucking and cussing. Trying to define what those characteristics are, though, is problematic, as problematic as trying to define the genre trappings of literary fiction. They are realistic in a way that network dramas generally aren't, mainly because they seem to let their heroes be short-sighted and petty and generally unheroic, just like people are in real life. The good guys - when you can figure out who falls into this category - don't win, just like in real life. Someone a little sharper than I am could probably draw it together.

I think The Shield shares a charismatic anti-hero and generally pessimistic view of societal restraints with Deadwood and The Tudors. Seem to me that all of them draw from the same well of Richard III and Dickens.

The current thread slug mentions:

Deadwood, Entourage, Big Love, Brotherhood, Weeds, Dexter, etc.

Without even getting into FX shows, do you really see all of those shows as being of a type?