Could "Neighbors with Benefits" have succeeded rather than dying after a mere two episodes? Answer: *Any* television series can fly if properly produced. Here are my thoughts for fixing this broken beast (by the way, keep the title--it's the only good aspect of the original series)...
1. Crank up the production quality to match "Nightwatch", another AETV series.
2. Implement a completely new episode format
* Introduce the two couples who will hook up
Show real scenes from their everyday lives. Tony works at McDonalds? (my guess) Show us a video of him flipping burgers or asking "Would you like fries with that shake?" (Hey, McDonalds' sales have slipped so far, they'll settle for even negative publicity.) Diana is a soccer mom? Show us a video of her standing on the sidelines, taking abuse from other mothers.
Make us like these couples.
DO NOT introduce any other cast members.
* Present the steps leading up to the actual tryst
Were they at a lake party when they proposed boinking? Were they at a restaurant? Did they simply call on the phone? Show us. TITILLATE us. However, no sex at this point. A provocative kiss, maybe, but no drooly, passionate locked mouths.
* Show the sex
Well, that's why viewers are here. If such animal behavior requires an "after 10 p.m." time slot, then place the show there. If strategic components must be covered with a blur--fine, do it.
* Educate
At some point in the episode, display one or more intertitles that define swinging jargon, present interesting statistics / quotations / historical facts about swinging, etc.
* Preview the next episode's two couples
3. ABSOLUTELY ZERO dialog about swinging. Nada. Zip. Zilch.
1. Crank up the production quality to match "Nightwatch", another AETV series.
2. Implement a completely new episode format
* Introduce the two couples who will hook up
Show real scenes from their everyday lives. Tony works at McDonalds? (my guess) Show us a video of him flipping burgers or asking "Would you like fries with that shake?" (Hey, McDonalds' sales have slipped so far, they'll settle for even negative publicity.) Diana is a soccer mom? Show us a video of her standing on the sidelines, taking abuse from other mothers.
Make us like these couples.
DO NOT introduce any other cast members.
* Present the steps leading up to the actual tryst
Were they at a lake party when they proposed boinking? Were they at a restaurant? Did they simply call on the phone? Show us. TITILLATE us. However, no sex at this point. A provocative kiss, maybe, but no drooly, passionate locked mouths.
* Show the sex
Well, that's why viewers are here. If such animal behavior requires an "after 10 p.m." time slot, then place the show there. If strategic components must be covered with a blur--fine, do it.
* Educate
At some point in the episode, display one or more intertitles that define swinging jargon, present interesting statistics / quotations / historical facts about swinging, etc.
* Preview the next episode's two couples
3. ABSOLUTELY ZERO dialog about swinging. Nada. Zip. Zilch.
