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Thanks for asking... | March 22, 2006
In the comments to my post about The Shield (I cannot yet process or comment on that finale, FYI), Shane asks: "is there anything out there that you hate watching? shows you despise?"
Why, I thought you'd never ask. Yes, as a matter of fact, there is a great deal of TV that I hate watching and/or despise. For example:
American Idol: I know the world is in love with this show, but a conversation I had with a couple of my friends sums up how I feel about it. Friend 1: "American Idol is the worst thing ever to happen to TV." Friend 2: "Amen." Me: "Actually, I think it's the worst thing to happen to music." OK, all of you Kelly Clarkson fans, go on and yell at me, but I stand by my belief that it is the worst thing to happen to music in a long time. And it's also one of the worst things to happen to TV. Why people flock to it in droves I will never understand.
The O.C.: So we've had an overdose, a near-fatal car wreck, adultery, marrying an older man for money, death, running away from home ON A SAILBOAT, a boyfriend sleeping with mother then daughter, a gun-wielding crazy guy holed up in a hotel, fights on the beach, stripping ... Seriously, I could go on all day. It screams soap and it just began to enrage me. I don't like shock for shock's sake. I like it to be for a reason. (Did I mention the finale of The Shield? Or Battlestar Galactica's?)
Most sitcoms: Try as I might, I cannot make myself love sitcoms other than My Name is Earl, The Office, and Scrubs (and none of those are traditional, multi-camera, laughtrack sitcoms). Yes, I watch How I Met Your Mother, but I can't stand Ted or Robin, and even Lilly-Pad and Marshmallow bug sometimes. And I thought I liked Courting Alex, but I can't make myself watch it. The New Adventures of Old Christine is OK, and so is Modern Men, but still I find myself distracted halfway through. So, yeah, sitcoms are hard for me to stomach, especially if there's a laughtrack. I really think that's what turns me off to those mentioned above.
Desperate Housewives: I know most people think Desperate Housewives is in a sophomore slump, but I would argue it hasn't changed. Of course I want to root for Felicity Huffman because I love her from her days on Sports Night, that much-less-watched-but-far-better dramedy. I lost interest and stopped watching midway through season 1. And from the person who stuck with One Tree Hill for a whole season and then some, that is DEFINITELY saying something. Especially since there supposedly was a compelling mystery. But I didn't find it compelling. The only supposedly compelling mystery that I lost interest in sooner was...
Lost: Don't hate me because I can't stomach polar bears on islands and a crazy hatch with a person in it. I should admit that after seasons of being emotionally manipulated and jerked around by J.J. Abrams on Alias, I came into this one with preconceived notions about his make-things-up-as-we-go-along style of storytelling. It works for some people. Clearly. Isn't it the No. 1 drama in the country or something? Well, it doesn't work for me. I am TRYING to catch up on it on DVD because I do write a TV column and figure I should watch something that people love. I have been trying to catch up for months, though, and I just recently returned the first disc to Netflix. So, it's slow moving.
I think that's about it, for shows I've actually sampled. Although I find Rachael Ray more annoying than I can explain. And I am no fan of procedurals, for the most part (although, we all know I liked The Evidence).
25 Comments
I admit to being an American Idol fan. Wait, I don't just admit it, I proudly proclaim it. What I love about that show is watching the singers grow from week to week. I love that it is the lottery of talent and that skill is the only currency needed to purchase a ticket.
The thing I hate on television is home makeover shows. What I would like to watch would be the "What Not to Wear (BBC Version)" of home makeover shows.
Have you ever seen the BBC version of Teachers? It is an awesome show.
Posted by: E-Rock | March 22, 2006 02:36 AM
I have to agree with you, My name is Earl is a great show.
Posted by: HumanityCritic | March 22, 2006 03:23 AM
Well, obviously we disagree on a couple of things (as I am sure you aleady know...haha!)
"Idol" for me is a totally guilty pleasure (granted it may seem like I take it more seriously than I do). I think the appeal of the show is that it is the "American" dream... unlike other reality shows, there is the life-altering impact for the winner (whether that is a good thing, is a whole other debate)... but the key is that the audience participates, instead of just observing (ala Survivor, Apprentice, TAR, Big Brother, etc.)
And singing is something we can all have an opinion about, so the show is easily discussed/debated.
I know one thing you can like about "Idol" ... if it wasn't successful there would have never been a "Dancing With The Stars"... haha! ;-)
Agree with you on the status of sitcoms (the 3 sitcoms you mentioned are at the top of our list as well)... and, while I watch and generally enjoy it every week, "Housewives" gets my vote for "most overrated."
Still on the "Lost" bandwagon here... though it is no longer something we MUST watch on the night it airs. Never watched "Alias" so don't have the JJ Abrams jerked around/"on the fly" predisposition... but can certainly see where that comes from re: "Lost."
Posted by: Ed | March 22, 2006 08:39 AM
I'm anti-sitcoms as well other than Scrubs which rocks. I watch HIMYM for Barney. He cracks me up.
Posted by: Molly | March 22, 2006 08:46 AM
I mostly agree with you, although I must admit to watching The OC and Desperate Housewives, although they are both total guilty pleasures for me, and I do think Desperate Housewives is highly overrated. And I could not agree with you more about American Idol and Lost. I can't watch either of these shows. I stuck with Lost until the end of the first season, and just got annoyed that nothing was resolved!
Posted by: Jen | March 22, 2006 01:21 PM
This was so great to read. Thanks for sharing.
I am SO OVER O.C. It just got to be too much for me this season. The husband is still watching it. But I don't think he will for much longer.
We've never seen American Idol. And I hope I never do. End of story!
I do like sitcoms. Usually. But only the 3 you listed. I don't think think I've seen any others this season.
Lost is a bit much. Although I watch it. I can't handle Desperate Housewives. Too much hype. Not enough to back it up.
That being said, have you seen that new "Law & Orderish" called "Conviction" (or something like that)? I am so in love with it. But it's only been two episodes, so it might suck later on.
Keep up your good work. I love reading your thoughts!!
Posted by: Isabel | March 22, 2006 02:05 PM
I agree with you.
Posted by: Rick | March 22, 2006 06:47 PM
im wondering how you feel about the show I accidently left out of my top five, curb your enthusiasm.. oh man.. i love that show!
Posted by: shane | March 22, 2006 08:00 PM
I'm going to back you on Lost. I think that the series began with a good premise but I believe the writers are going to end up creating such a convuluted storyline that it will rapidly lose its appeal by the end of the third season.
Posted by: Mr. Viddy | March 22, 2006 08:50 PM
Aww, I love Scrubs and My Name is Earl. However, I don't watch all the other shows you've mentioned! Imagine that...
Posted by: M | March 22, 2006 09:17 PM
I do love Lost, especially because it generates such great conversations at karaoke.
I watch AI but I am blaming my roommates for getting me hooked on this season. Once my favorites are done, I'm out of the room, though.
And HIMYM is cute but yeah, Barney is definitely what is holding the show together.
Posted by: DM | March 22, 2006 09:43 PM
I thought I was the only one who didn't watch AI. As for the others, you named pretty much the only sitcoms I watch. Or at least the only must-see ones. As for DH, I've missed it more that watched this season. I only see it if I have nothing better to do. I still watch Lost but there are definite things that bug me this season. I guess I'm still hoping they'll pull it off. Oh, and I've never seen the OC.
You have such great taste in TV!
Posted by: MoMMY | March 23, 2006 06:26 AM
You forgot shooting your attempted rapiest/boyfried’s brother, pushing your friend to drunkenly falling off a cliff while distraught over your rejection, falling for your daughter’s best friend’s recently divorced father, skipping out on your potentially life-altering college interview to get stoned alone in your bedroom, falling for your recently deceased friend’s bad ass arch nemesis, finding out you’re the love child of an affair between your mother and the tycoon of Newport Beach, almost poisoning the man you married for money after he recklessly lets a porn video from your past make a public appearance at your business function, having a lesbian relationship with your friends ex, sending your own mother away to rehab to treat her alcoholism, impregnating your engaged ex-girlfriend from Chino, accidentally letting a bunch of hookers take advantage of you in Las Vegas before your friend pays off their pimps in a game of poker...
I see your point.
Posted by: | March 23, 2006 04:17 PM
I totally meant to have my name on that last post.
Posted by: Miss Fussy | March 23, 2006 04:18 PM
wow, we agree on most.
I watched a the final episodes of AI during the 1st season. The only people I know that watch are either republican or gay...guess that IS most of America.
Watched Desp. HW a bit first season but then missed a couple and became uninterested. Never saw the OC. Was hooked on Lost but could't catch every show so then I got lost and never returned.
I saw The New Adventures of Old Christine and liked it, will have to see if I watch it again.
final season of SFU comes out on Tuesday, so excited.
Are you tivo-ing Soprano's?
Posted by: lynne | March 23, 2006 04:21 PM
I came back today to read the rest of the comments. I loved what Miss Fussy had to say. SO RIGHT ON!
Posted by: Isabel | March 23, 2006 04:53 PM
I agree with you on almost everything -- although I haven't been keeping up on Lost, it still does suck me in, concept-wise. And I am charmed by the cast on HIMYM. It's nice to have a little half-hour break before 24 comes on.
But I've noticed you're pretty quiet on Grey's Anatomy. Your thoughts?
Posted by: Sean | March 23, 2006 08:14 PM
Could care less about AI; don't get why people are still obsessed with it after so many years. Same for OC.
I'm completely addicted to Lost and I DON'T get the sense that they're making it up as they go along. I think there's a lot of seeding and when stuff DOES finally pay off, there's satisfaction and a sense that they planned it. I'm sorry to see Alias go, but it lost its magic years ago around the collapse of SD6 and the end of the spy within a spy tension, not to mention Syd's civilian life with Will and Francie--all the best superheroes need to have close friends they hide their secret from for great tension. Alias could have ended last season with the conclusion of the Rambaldi plot and I would have been happy. This season is weak, except for Sloane and Jack who always rock. I wouldn't judge one JJ show for another. After all, I was never able to watch Felicity and now I watch two of the guy's shows. :)
I agree completely about the sitcoms. Sitcoms died a long time ago, and Earl, Scrubs and HIMYM are the only live action ones I can stand. I know what you mean about HIMYM. I think Marshall is the weakest character and Barney is the strongest--that flashback origin story of his was excellent.
Posted by: MCF | March 23, 2006 08:54 PM
wow.. this post seems to have generated a few comments.. nice..
Posted by: shane | March 23, 2006 09:55 PM
GA I think is best watched on Netflix. It's easier to follow than ER. McDreamy, McSteamy (or McVomit), Bambi and the rest of the gang really should be watched without commercial breaks. Thank God for TV on DVD.
Posted by: M | March 24, 2006 12:05 AM
We are in almost total agreement..I do watch Houswives and Lost but if they were axed it'd be just fine with me...I just don't watch comedies...I know this is odd but the only one I even halfway like is 'Out of Practice' and that may be because nothing else is on..Have never watched AI or OC...mmmm..Have a great Friday
Posted by: Zoots Mom | March 24, 2006 03:14 AM
Hmmm, except for the sitcoms and Rachel Ray, we are totally on board with our TV Tastes.
Posted by: cagey | March 24, 2006 07:31 AM
You know how I feel about Lost. LOVE LOVE LOVE Lost. I have found, living without cable now, that there are just a few shows I CAN'T miss. Lost, Deadwood and Gilmore Girls. that's about it. And I have to go to a friend's to watch Gilmore. And when Deadwood returns this summer, I already have a deal with a friend to pay half her HBO :)
Anyway, I am obsessed about Lost like no other and have dragged countless friends into the obsession with me. I never watched Alias. My only past involvement with JJ Abrams was Felicity which I always only thought was just OK (sorry fans - but the whispering drove me crazy!).
I read articles about Lost. I lurk on message boards about Lost. Heck, I post on them! I discuss it with my friends. I am completely sucked in.
But I respect your opinion :)
And I hate Oprah. But you knew that.
Posted by: Ktpez | March 24, 2006 03:14 PM
Right on for The Office -- I am completely addicted to that show! :)
Posted by: | April 2, 2006 09:26 PM
Keep up the great work on your blog. Best wishes WaltDe
Posted by: WaltDe | August 31, 2006 11:42 PM
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