September 20, 2005
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TV – SHMEEVEE
The news has been incredibly depressing lately. You can’t turn on the TV without seeing images of the devastated gulf coast, images of casualties in
But there is hope on the horizon. A monumental event is happening this week. An event so important that million upon millions of Americans will stop everything they are doing to witness it: The fall television season premiers.
I like to think that I’m above television. I like to think that I typically turn off the tube in favor of spending an evening absorbed in the works of Dostoevsky. I like to think that, but it’s not true. I get sucked into the swirling vortex of mindless programming just like everyone else, and I lap it up like the pablum it is.
So here are my feelings about a few shows that are gracing our airways:
Rock Star/INXS. It’s not a new show. It’s already been on 10 weeks, but I’m completely hooked. Think of it as American Idol with actual talent. The show is really an excuse for Brooke Burke to practice posing for her next Maxim cover and for Dave Navarro to act as a poster child for eyebrow waxing. The finale is tonight. My bet is on Mig. (edit: The finale is over and JD won. Oh well, shows you what the hell I know)
The Biggest Loser. Why would I want to watch a show that exploits overweight people and is done in incredibly poor taste? It could be because I find it inspiring in a callous, cruel, and manipulative sort of way. Actually I’m hoping that one of the guys will sit on Jillian; that shrieking harpy of a coach, and crush her skinny little ass.
Survivor –
Medium. I like the idea of a suburban housewife who sees dead people. If only one of them would help her fix her hair.
Nip/Tuck. Violence, adultery, necrophilia, child molestation, divorce, suicide: your basic family show. I watch it for the uplifting social commentary.
Actually, when it comes to TV, I can take it or leave it. So this evening I’m going to go home and brush off my copy of Dostoevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov in the original Russian…
The TV remote is lying underneath it.
Comments (17)
The DVR has made me a Fall-lineup-aholic. I’ve set it to record almost every new show, Kitchen Confidential last night was hilarious.
Tonight it’s Bones, Gilmore Girls, and The Office.
I love the Daily Show! Good choice!
I love your post! Your writing style reminds me of my son Doug, and he would LOVE your views on Bush!
I agree with your comments on all the shows in question, but you forgot to mention “LOST”, the sole well written show from last year. I hope they don’t screw it up this year! I am looking forward to the premier, and hope it is not as disappointing as the premier of Medium, jeez, how lame was that?
well. I liked that guy that was on there before Stewart. but oh well. I don’t watch a lot of television… so I don’t watch that either.
I’m betting on JD.
Any and all so-called “Reality” TV shows are evil. Give me un-reality every time. Maybe that’s why I watch so much of the Cartoon Network.
I don’t watch ‘reality’ shows. I can’t stand them! I am heartbroken that ‘Raymond’ is not on anymore. Loved that show! Usually we watch A&E, Discovery, or TLC. (But don’t tell anyone, my secret guilty pleasure is ‘Desperate Housewives’. Shhhh!)
Side-splitting. You are one warped, twisted individual. Come sit by me….
xoxoxo
Never really got into… whoops !! Gotta run, Gilmore Girls is starting in a few !!
Rock Star INXS is five minutes away and I, like you, am hooked. My bet is with Mig too… We’ll see. Props on your xanga!
Dude, don’t you be dissin’ Survivor. And Richard Hatch’s Machiavellian ass is going to jail for tax evasion. You can’t outwit, outplay, and outlast Uncle Sam.
I am really enjoying reuns of the 70′s show – they are sooooooo funny!!! but I am not that much into commercial tv – dont like the commercials………have you seen the showtime series “Weeds” ??? good show!!! check-it out
JD it is.
I ditched the TV at the same time I ditched the husband. Not at all up on what’s available. My next door neighbor has hers on 24/7. Lots of blood/gore and those are just the supposed reality shows.
You are a funny man. Don’t agree with your dislike of Bush, but I’m not one to beat up people for their opinions. But I love your site, and you are a hoot!
OMG…never ever talk bad about Survivor!
I love my survivor headbands (which I have two) and my Survivor flip flips. Yes call me weird…but I even filled out an application to sign up. I’d fall in the OLD people group.
Other thatn CNN, and the Weather channel…that is the only thing I watch.
Television is about ninety percent formula these days…early on when it was new there was boring ,silly ,goofy TV but it wasn’t as predictable because they were still figuring out where to go with it…I watch now and then…sometimes with the sound off..(just for the fun of it..).I especially like to watch the pundits with no sound so I can focus on their various facial expressions… but my taste is not mainstream…I like the Road Show on Public TV ecause I like old things..especially odd old things….excellent post on Conservative compassion by the way…your honesty sings in a world where everyone seems to be busy looking at other people’s limitations…too bad Barbera Bush couldn’t do some time in a different life..away from all that insulated superiority