We’ve all heard ‘pandemic’ enough to last a lifetime, but there’s another outbreak worth talking about: the wave of pandering in storytelling.
You know what I’m talking about.
It’s everywhere. Movies that feel like they’ve been spat out by a computer program, ads that awkwardly chase trends and miss the mark, TV shows that recycle old ideas expecting us to watch simply because they’re there.
That ‘Panderverse’ episode from South Park? It hit a nerve because it called out what we’ve all seen: true storytelling loses its soul when it’s just swapping out characters for diversity points. Pandering isn’t just obvious now—it’s transparent.
Here’s the real problem: the folks behind these big productions seem out of touch with who’s watching. They’re banking on the idea that we’ll keep tuning in out of habit. But they’ve missed something important—today’s audience is wise to their tactics.
We’re not a one-size-fits-all crowd. We’ve got more choices than ever before, and we’re not limited to a few TV channels or movie times. We’re speaking up, picking what to watch, and we can spot a fake a mile away.
So we’re at a crossroads. Keep dishing out predictable stuff and watch viewers tune out. Or, take the harder path and really get to know the audience. Tell the stories that matter, that feel genuine, that go beyond ‘good guy wins.’
Lazy storytelling? No more excuses. We’ve got the data to drill down into what people really want, and there are plenty of fresh, real stories to be told.
To all the storytellers, marketers, and communicators out there: it’s time to up our game. Let’s cut the cookie-cutter approach and get real. Sure, it’s more effort. Yes, it’s a bit of a gamble. But that’s where the magic happens.
Let’s raise the bar. It’s time for storytellers to step up or step out.
