Contrary to popular belief, people are not stupid. Or I should say, audiences are not stupid.

Though I lament the fact that shows like Jersey Shore and Dancing with the Stars are incredibly popular, and audiences can embrace The Voice or The X-Factor after a million seasons of American Idol, there will always be a place on television for scripted shows. Fiction-based dramas and comedies about created characters and their adventures will always be at the forefront of entertainment, and they will always be my favorite kind of show.

That being said, I sometimes find it difficult to get into a new show. So in an effort to broaden my viewing options, I sat down to watch the first three episodes of the new show Once Upon a Time on ABC.

Don't let their pleasant, perfectly posed appearances fool you - it's a bad show

I watched the first episode and half of the second episode before stopping. I just couldn’t stand it anymore. Once Upon a Time, at least as much as I saw, seems to lack all subtlety in its premise of Fairy Tale characters living in the present day. Its characters lack depth, its story is overly complicated and it takes incredible leaps in logic to fit those complications into place. But perhaps worst of all, Once Upon a Time violates storytelling rule No. 1 – Show, Don’t Tell.

That’s why audiences are not stupid. If writers and producers treat their stories with respect and skill, then the average audience will gladly suspend their disbelief for even the wildest of ideas.

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