Original Content Takes a Backseat to Remakes

Where did all the original ideas go?

It seems nowadays the only projects being green-lit are franchise continuations, remakes or spinoffs.

Hulu and Max (the new name for Warner Bros. Discovery's streaming service) both have a true crime show about the same murder case. Candy and Love & Death, respectively.

In the past week, there was news of a Stranger Things animated series, a Harry Potter series and drama series based on The Conjuring.

Never mind that the Harry Potter project is supposed to be "a decade-long series," per the announcement from Max.

No one knows what they'll have for lunch tomorrow, but the company is betting that you'll commit to their content for the next 10 years. That's a big gamble on streaming.

And when writers' rooms tend to lack diversity as is, now seems like the perfect time to bring in new voices and stories. Because guess what? That's usually what an audience wants!

The nominations are out for the MTV Movie and TV Awards, so let's get into the list. But first, a thought ...

Everyone knows about the Oscars and Grammys, the Golden Globes and the Emmys, but does each network or organization need its own award show just to regurgitate nominees and send uninterested celebrities back to the red carpet?

Don't get us wrong: the MTV VMAs are pop-culture gold, but stick to what you're good at. Anyway, here are some of the nominees:

Speaking of franchise continuations, a new trailer is out for Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.

Adding Phoebe Waller-Bridge to the cast somehow works in every way. She should break the fourth wall like she does in Fleabag. That would put a new spin on the franchise!

Coachella weekend one is coming to a close.

With the seemingly exponential growth of influencers over the past few years, we can say we're glad to not be there. It genuinely seems to be in its own bubble over there in the Californian desert.

Honestly, did anyone know it was happening this weekend? Come on, influencers, you're slacking!

Anyway, here's a few of this year's performers:

• Bad Bunny
• Charli XCX
• BLACKPINK
• Blink-182
• Gorillaz
• Frank Ocean

If you want to watch live coverage of next weekend's performances, you can do so here.

In other music news, the Library of Congress updated its National Recording Registry for 2023.

This program is an effort to increase preservation awareness for American recorded sound, according to LOC.

Here's a handful of what made it onto the registry:

• "Imagine" (single), John Lennon
• "Stairway to Heaven" (single), Led Zeppelin
• "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" (single), Eurythmics
• "All I Want for Christmas is You" (single), Mariah Carey
• Like a Virgin (album; 1985 reissue), Madonna

President Biden announced who he intends to appoint to the Committee on the Arts and the Humanities.

Created in 1982, the committee advises the president on matters related to arts and culture.

Here are just a few of the people selected:

• Bruce Cohen, Co-Chair
• Lady Gaga, Co-Chair
• Jon Batiste, Member
• Jennifer Garner, Member
• Shonda Rhimes, Member
• Kerry Washington, Member