What to Watch
namarie24 did this one ages ago and I kept it in my inbox because it was such an interesting topic. Now that Fall TV is starting up, I think it’s time for me to do. Obviously there will be exceptions to these rules but it’s fun to analyze.
What are the dos and don'ts that will guarantee you'll watch something or not watch something?
Dos:
1. An interesting premise. I like it when it’s something I haven’t heard before. If it catches my eye in previews, I’m going to be willing to try it out. Warehouse 13 is a recent example.
2. A good cast. I’m not necessarily loyal to specific actors where I’ll watch everything that person is in just because they’re in it. But there are obviously better actors than others and if a show seems to be loaded up with good actors, I’m going to be more interested in checking it out. FlashForward comes to mind, and it fits with #1 as well.
3. Genre, specifically sci-fi or fantasy. I won’t watch something just because it can be categorized like that, but it’s more likely that I’ll try it out. Sometimes it doesn’t work, like Fringe which I just couldn’t get into, and sometimes it works out splendidly, like Sanctuary.
4. Interesting characters. This is sort of a corollary to #1. I want to be entertained with new personality types. I like seeing more than the standard stock archetypes on my screen. Royal Pains really turned out to be a real treat for me in that regard, as has Warehouse 13.
5. Showrunners and writers. Similar to #2, I won’t follow them to the ends of the Earth. But I did check out Dollhouse, despite misgivings, because I liked Whedon’s previous shows. That didn’t work out so well. But thanks to JJ Abram’s Lost, I’m enjoying the heck outta Alias.
6. Franchise. This goes along neatly beside #5. I will watch anything stamped “Star Trek”. Anything Doctor Who. I am going to definitely check out Stargate: Universe and am trying to keep an open mind despite the scary spoilers out there. I rented Caprica but probably won’t stick with the actual show.
7. Actual talent. I do not care for reality television of the eating bugs and enduring pain variety. But if it’s something that requires real skill, I’m there. I’m devoted to Project Runway and Top Chef and completely addicted to American Idol (though the “talent” portion is negligible at the beginning of each season).
8. Serialized storytelling. This is a tough one because you have to come in at the beginning. I missed out on Farscape, despite *knowing* I should be watching, because I didn’t come in at the start. But if I get a sense that it’s going to be arc-heavy from the promos, I’m much more willing to test the waters just in case I like it. That way I don’t have to play catch-up. I stuck by Lost from the very first moment and I’m hoping that FlashForward serves me just as well.
9. Relatable subject matter. This is probably more crucial for sitcoms than anything else. I got hipped to Big Bang Theory in reruns over the summer and know those guys. I’m curious about the new Jenna Elfman show because I have a new baby (and see #2).
10. Peer pressure. This one can backfire (see #3 below). But sometimes it’s just the thing I need to tip me over the edge about a show I’m not quite sure of. The current example is Vampire Diaries. It frankly sounds just too angsty and teenagery and Twilighty and ugh, do I really need that? But I’ve got a couple of girlfriends desperate for me to give it a try so I’m going to see what I think. I do love talking about TV...
Don'ts:
1. Love triangles. Yuck. It’s just so gross and overused. There is no need for that device to keep a couple apart. It's a writing crutch. It really isn’t actually that common in real life. It gets old. I’m sick of it.
2. Procedurals. This is a tricky one because there are some that I do watch, but they’re definitely of the “quirky” variety (think USA Network) rather than your standard acronym shows and ripped from headlines plots.
3. Peer pressure. I will actually deliberately not watch a show if it’s all anyone can talk about. If I happen to already be watching something that catches the zeitgeist, that’s different. But a show that is all the rage and I’m even slightly curious about I will stubbornly refuse until many years later. See: Buffy the Vampire Slayer. (Still haven’t gotten around to Twin Peaks. And telling me I’m missing out will only make me wait even longer.)
4. Clone shows. Shows that I perceive to be ripping off shows that I like, whether fairly or unfairly, I will most certainly avoid out of loyalty to the original. Rarely can I overcome that initial bias. Alias is one of those rare instances, but it’s taken years. Yes Simon Baker is cute but I’m not watching his Psych clone.
5. Shock value. I don’t watch gory slasher movies so why would I want to see this on my television screen? It’s usually not an issue for network dramas but it’s becoming more and more prevalent in cartoons. There is really almost nothing I care about on Adult Swim anymore and I used to stay up WAY too late every Sunday night to watch their entire line-up.
6. Serial killers. Similar to #5, you can’t make me watch Dexter. I don’t care about character development and blah blah blah. He is a serial killer. Won’t watch. Ever. End of story. And that goes for procedurals that have a season arc involving a serial killer. Or movies about serial killers. Or documentary shows about serial killers. Or books about serial killers. They are verboten.
7. Overly precious concepts. I don’t really know how to put this one into words. I know it sort of contradicts Do #1 but sometimes it just seems like they're trying too hard to be a Special Snowflake and it comes off as twee. Maybe I'm missing out on some good stuff but eh.
8. Teenagers. Look, I didn't like my fellow teenagers when I was one, so why would I give a damn about them on my television?
9. The stench of immanent cancellation. Another tricky one. But sometimes you can just *sense* when a show isn't going to be given a chance. I try to stay away from those now. I've been burned too many times and it still stings. The Tick, Strange Luck, Firefly, John Doe, Arrested Development, Sarah Connor Chronicles, Futurama...should I go on?
10. Going off the rails. This is more relevant to shows I quit watching than shows I'm going to give a try. I've gotten better as time goes on with quitting shows. My time is precious and I have kids so if I can't have it on with them around then it better be SPECTACULAR. Complete premise do-overs, attempts to recreate the magic of a first perfect season, replacing beloved characters once actors leave, show runners jumping ship, all of those things signify it's Time To Go.
What are the dos and don'ts that will guarantee you'll watch something or not watch something?
Dos:
1. An interesting premise. I like it when it’s something I haven’t heard before. If it catches my eye in previews, I’m going to be willing to try it out. Warehouse 13 is a recent example.
2. A good cast. I’m not necessarily loyal to specific actors where I’ll watch everything that person is in just because they’re in it. But there are obviously better actors than others and if a show seems to be loaded up with good actors, I’m going to be more interested in checking it out. FlashForward comes to mind, and it fits with #1 as well.
3. Genre, specifically sci-fi or fantasy. I won’t watch something just because it can be categorized like that, but it’s more likely that I’ll try it out. Sometimes it doesn’t work, like Fringe which I just couldn’t get into, and sometimes it works out splendidly, like Sanctuary.
4. Interesting characters. This is sort of a corollary to #1. I want to be entertained with new personality types. I like seeing more than the standard stock archetypes on my screen. Royal Pains really turned out to be a real treat for me in that regard, as has Warehouse 13.
5. Showrunners and writers. Similar to #2, I won’t follow them to the ends of the Earth. But I did check out Dollhouse, despite misgivings, because I liked Whedon’s previous shows. That didn’t work out so well. But thanks to JJ Abram’s Lost, I’m enjoying the heck outta Alias.
6. Franchise. This goes along neatly beside #5. I will watch anything stamped “Star Trek”. Anything Doctor Who. I am going to definitely check out Stargate: Universe and am trying to keep an open mind despite the scary spoilers out there. I rented Caprica but probably won’t stick with the actual show.
7. Actual talent. I do not care for reality television of the eating bugs and enduring pain variety. But if it’s something that requires real skill, I’m there. I’m devoted to Project Runway and Top Chef and completely addicted to American Idol (though the “talent” portion is negligible at the beginning of each season).
8. Serialized storytelling. This is a tough one because you have to come in at the beginning. I missed out on Farscape, despite *knowing* I should be watching, because I didn’t come in at the start. But if I get a sense that it’s going to be arc-heavy from the promos, I’m much more willing to test the waters just in case I like it. That way I don’t have to play catch-up. I stuck by Lost from the very first moment and I’m hoping that FlashForward serves me just as well.
9. Relatable subject matter. This is probably more crucial for sitcoms than anything else. I got hipped to Big Bang Theory in reruns over the summer and know those guys. I’m curious about the new Jenna Elfman show because I have a new baby (and see #2).
10. Peer pressure. This one can backfire (see #3 below). But sometimes it’s just the thing I need to tip me over the edge about a show I’m not quite sure of. The current example is Vampire Diaries. It frankly sounds just too angsty and teenagery and Twilighty and ugh, do I really need that? But I’ve got a couple of girlfriends desperate for me to give it a try so I’m going to see what I think. I do love talking about TV...
Don'ts:
1. Love triangles. Yuck. It’s just so gross and overused. There is no need for that device to keep a couple apart. It's a writing crutch. It really isn’t actually that common in real life. It gets old. I’m sick of it.
2. Procedurals. This is a tricky one because there are some that I do watch, but they’re definitely of the “quirky” variety (think USA Network) rather than your standard acronym shows and ripped from headlines plots.
3. Peer pressure. I will actually deliberately not watch a show if it’s all anyone can talk about. If I happen to already be watching something that catches the zeitgeist, that’s different. But a show that is all the rage and I’m even slightly curious about I will stubbornly refuse until many years later. See: Buffy the Vampire Slayer. (Still haven’t gotten around to Twin Peaks. And telling me I’m missing out will only make me wait even longer.)
4. Clone shows. Shows that I perceive to be ripping off shows that I like, whether fairly or unfairly, I will most certainly avoid out of loyalty to the original. Rarely can I overcome that initial bias. Alias is one of those rare instances, but it’s taken years. Yes Simon Baker is cute but I’m not watching his Psych clone.
5. Shock value. I don’t watch gory slasher movies so why would I want to see this on my television screen? It’s usually not an issue for network dramas but it’s becoming more and more prevalent in cartoons. There is really almost nothing I care about on Adult Swim anymore and I used to stay up WAY too late every Sunday night to watch their entire line-up.
6. Serial killers. Similar to #5, you can’t make me watch Dexter. I don’t care about character development and blah blah blah. He is a serial killer. Won’t watch. Ever. End of story. And that goes for procedurals that have a season arc involving a serial killer. Or movies about serial killers. Or documentary shows about serial killers. Or books about serial killers. They are verboten.
7. Overly precious concepts. I don’t really know how to put this one into words. I know it sort of contradicts Do #1 but sometimes it just seems like they're trying too hard to be a Special Snowflake and it comes off as twee. Maybe I'm missing out on some good stuff but eh.
8. Teenagers. Look, I didn't like my fellow teenagers when I was one, so why would I give a damn about them on my television?
9. The stench of immanent cancellation. Another tricky one. But sometimes you can just *sense* when a show isn't going to be given a chance. I try to stay away from those now. I've been burned too many times and it still stings. The Tick, Strange Luck, Firefly, John Doe, Arrested Development, Sarah Connor Chronicles, Futurama...should I go on?
10. Going off the rails. This is more relevant to shows I quit watching than shows I'm going to give a try. I've gotten better as time goes on with quitting shows. My time is precious and I have kids so if I can't have it on with them around then it better be SPECTACULAR. Complete premise do-overs, attempts to recreate the magic of a first perfect season, replacing beloved characters once actors leave, show runners jumping ship, all of those things signify it's Time To Go.