Grit is out there on TV and Film. It's like in any era, you just have to look for it...

...the past might seem better just because most of the old garbage films and TV have been rightly forgotten and only the gems remain in the popular consciousness. Do you remember gritty and realistic TV shows from the past such as these super hits...

But generally speaking, I agree that at least a touch of realism is essential. I find the not-a-hair-out-of-place (If it's not a wig) look of the SW prequels distracting as hell.