Trend reversal used to promote new tv show

While book publishers are quickly embracing video to sell books, with movie-style trailers and vook conversions, in a reversal of the trent A&E releases the pilot script of their new series “The Glades” to promote the show. In partnership with Barnes & Noble, you can get a free copy of the script for the first episode at select B&N stores and as digital downloads at B&N.com, the A&E website and Facebook.

As clever an idea as it is, in this case I don’t think it works. “The Glades” is yet another site-specific crime procedural, this one set in South Florida. While some of the many procedurals that are currently on the air are embraced by viewers, they usual do so because they possess a distinctive character and visual style. Reading the script, which features a caiman as a plot device, a predictable twist and an obvious display of product placement, it is very hard to imagine what this show will look and feel like. As written it did not feel enticing enough to make me want to watch it.

On the other hand A&E should be praised for trying something markedly different to stand out. I almost wish that instead of another cop show this promotional idea was used to sell a show set in a bookstore instead.