TV Talk

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I was inspired by slaymesoftly's TV post to talk about my own TV-watching habits. I'm rather monogamous about my obsessions, so there's really no fandom I participate in as much as BtVS.

I do like TV that makes you think, however, and that's always more interesting with fandom interaction, so there are usually one or two current shows that I will get slightly fannish about, i.e. I'll read reviews and discussions of each episode after it airs, but I don't generally participate in those discussions, and I never read or write fanfic. Formerly, that was BSG, but since that's finished, it's been Mad Men.

In general, I'm not very good at being a "casual viewer." I think it's partly because I'm just not drawn to procedural or self-contained shows, where it doesn't matter if you tune in every week. I like serials - maybe because they require more from the viewer. Even the procedural-type shows I do watch (Bones, Fringe) have an overarching plot or character arc.

When I watch a show, I don't plan to just catch an episode here or there - if I start watching, I want to start at the beginning, and watch every episode in order. It's kind of weird, because it means that even shows I'm not crazy about (like Dollhouse) or shows that have gone way downhill recently (like Bones) still get my full dedication - or they don't get it at all. The only difference might be whether I plant my butt on the sofa to watch when it airs, or wait four days before watching the new episode online when I have nothing better to do.

I would definitely watch How I Met Your Mother live, although I have class on Monday nights, so it's unlikely I'll be home by 8pm. Thursday is a scheduling nightmare, with Bones and Fringe on Fox and the NBC comedy lineup at the same time, but my apathy toward most of those shows might lighten the load eventually. I was less than thrilled with Bones last year, but for now it's staying on the schedule in hopes of improvement. Fringe sort of interests me, but I can't seem to give it the attention it requires, so it's best watched with a rewind button. The Office is still awesome as ever. I also enjoyed the series premiere of Community, more so than Parks & Recreation, which I'm still watching even as I kind of wonder why. I'm sticking with Dollhouse for now, and I love Psych, but I think it's probably close to finishing its summer run.

There's also a ton of TV that's not currently on right now that I will tune in when it comes back, and I sort of worry that if I list them all out, I'll get a reputation as a TV addict or something, lol. But I'm also a fan of Burn Notice and Leverage, which both split their seasons into a summer and winter segment, as well as Chuck and 24, which will be coming back after the new year. There's also the spectacular Friday Night Lights, which... airs who knows when. I don't have DirecTV, and last year I was really good and didn't download illegally, but I've heard that this year the episodes might not air on NBC until JUNE, which is a really long wait...

Imported shows I DO download illegally: Doctor Who, Gavin & Stacey, and most recently Being Erica, thanks to maharet83's recommendation. And then there's House and Brothers & Sisters, which I like enough to watch on DVD, but am at least a season behind (and refuse to watch them live until I'm caught up).

Dear lord, I watch a lot of TV...

Comments

[dawnofme.livejournal.com]

I don't enjoy self-contained or procedural shows either. Bones was a disappointment last year. I watched the first epi for this season and it was okay. I will watch Dollhouse, but it's not my favorite show at all. I think it has the potential to get better. I watched Leverage, but I'm not jumping up and down excited for more. It's fun, but not must see for me.

I'm watching more TV this year than I've watched in years, but none of the shows interest me as much at BTVS did. I don't feel the need to write fan fiction and I rarely even feel the pull to create fan art/graphics. Sometimes I will for Doctor Who, Torchwood or Supernatural. But I'm still writing fan fiction and creating fan art for Buffy years later.

[next_to_normal]

Yeah, Bones was rocky all season (I think they've started to run out of cases to solve, so the premises for the episodes get wackier and wackier, and it loses its dignity), but that bizarro-finale just totally lost me. I'm still dreading them dragging on the Booth/Brennan romance (which I completely don't want to happen), but at least it seems we won't be dwelling on coma-Booth for too long.

I've been really enjoying Leverage - it's not a demanding show by any means, but the one-liners are hilarious, and I LOVE Hardison and Parker.

I never really expect to love a show as much as BtVS - and quite honestly, I don't want to, because that would be exhausting. I generally just expect a show to entertain me, and if it happens to do more than that, even better.

[dawnofme.livejournal.com]

Hardison and Parker make the show for me. I'd drool over Kane, except he looks disgusting with all that hair. Dude looks hot with a short hair cut. Looks like a homeless bum with the long locks. My favorite scene with Hardison is when he's complaining about how long long the Doctor Who episodes were taking to download.

I don't care if the Booth/Brennan romance goes anywhere, either. The whole coma thing had me rolling my eyes and I was so hoping they would have moved on for this season. Was disappointed to see the over the top stuff in the first episode. The only couple I liked on the show was Hodgins/Angela. I liked it more for the great team they all made. Right now, the only character that I'm really enjoying is the lawyer woman. I adore her little clunky yellow car and I think she's getting the best lines right now.

[next_to_normal]

LOL, I know, I totally want to grab a pair of scissors and cut his hair.

Re: Bones, I said to Patti while watching the premiere that they couldn't have thrown in more fanfic cliches if they'd tried. I mean, they needed a coma (complete with imaginary AU), amnesia, and a psychic in order for Booth and Bones to figure out that they're in love with each other? That's absolutely ridiculous. Didn't these used to be normal people??

[deird1]

I mean, they needed a coma (complete with imaginary AU), amnesia, and a psychic in order for Booth and Bones to figure out that they're in love with each other?

...I'm suddenly feeling happy about only being up to season 1.

[brunettepet.livejournal.com]

You and I share that slightly obsessive need to catch every episode. Last season I missed a couple episodes of "Friday Night Lights" and had to wait for the DVDs to watch the season in its entirety. I also stuck with "True Blood," though I caught myself wondering why three or four episodes into this season.

I follow online discussions about "Supernatural," "Top Chef," and Project Runway," but never participate. The only shows I've ever done that with are Buffy, Angel and Battlestar. "Mad Men" is pitch perfect, and I don't think I could offer anything to an online discussion other than constant gushing and commentary on the great set design and costuming!

You think you watch a lot of TV? I'm adding three new shows ("Flash Forward," "V," and "The Forgotten") to an already over full roster. Here's hoping they all suck! My husband just shakes his head.

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"Mad Men" is pitch perfect, and I don't think I could offer anything to an online discussion other than constant gushing and commentary on the great set design and costuming!

LOL, I mostly just read the discussion - the viewers are so intelligent and often pick up on clever details that I didn't notice (some of them called the Conrad Hilton reveal when he first appeared), so it's a much richer experience to watch the show with their comments.

There are actually several shows that I've been meaning to add to the roster but just don't have the time, lol. I've heard good things about Being Human, Weeds, and Breaking Bad, and I liked the one episode of Flashpoint I saw. Plus, at some point in my life, I will probably have to watch Lost. I just don't have time for it all.

[brunettepet.livejournal.com]

I've got a dozen episodes of "Breaking Bad" on my DVR. It's well written and the acting is great, but I get all anxious about the drugs and potential for everything to blow up in the lead character's face.

[silverusagi]

Everyone watches more TV than me...

[next_to_normal]

Heh, that's not necessarily a bad thing...

[urania-calliope.livejournal.com]

I LOVE TV and I wish I could watch more of it. Since I no longer have a TV all of my viewing now happens in the form of DVDs or downloads.

There's a few shows I'm dying to start watching like: Supernatural, Eastwick, True Blood, V and Being Human.

[next_to_normal]

Since I no longer have a TV

GASP!

Although, to be honest, I have a TV, and half my viewing still ends up being in the form of DVDs or downloads.

[ladyofthelog.livejournal.com]

My dark secret: I don't watch TV. I used to watch SVU reruns a lot when I was sick and had cable, but sans cable, I don't miss it. Right now, I'm just starting Angel on DVD.

[next_to_normal]

I think you get a bigger *gasp* than urania_calliope, lol.

[ladyofthelog.livejournal.com]

ha!

The last show I followed on TV was Daria, and I missed out on most of the last season. I can't stand commercials and I'm kind of ADD. Buffy is basically the Great Exception to my television-watching habits. Well, and Arrested Development.

[deird1]

When I watch a show, I don't plan to just catch an episode here or there - if I start watching, I want to start at the beginning, and watch every episode in order. It's kind of weird, because it means that even shows I'm not crazy about (like Dollhouse) or shows that have gone way downhill recently (like Bones) still get my full dedication - or they don't get it at all.

Agreed.

I don't really watch shows live anymore, because Aussie scheduling is weird and can mean you end up watching out of order or missing episodes. These days I just wait for the dvds.

[next_to_normal]

I like watching stuff live when I can, mostly because I like the instant response of going online and seeing what other people thought. But I'm in the US, so I have that option. If you're already watching stuff delayed, I'm sure it's more convenient to just wait for the DVDs.

[deird1]

See, I'm getting my friend to download Dollhouse for me so that I can participate in insta!reactions (a few days late, but still...), but when Aussie TV is already at least six months behind and gets completely messed around with by the networks, it's just easier not to bother.

[angearia.livejournal.com]

We're TV soulmates. *pauses to ponder*

Seriously, though! Except for watching Doctor Who and Being Erica (which I don't), I watch all the same shows. I too am disappointed with Bones but giving it a shot. And I watch Fringe, but I keep having to rewind.

[next_to_normal]

Hee, well, I just starting watching Being Erica yesterday (and I'm already up to Ep 8), so we can just assume you haven't watched it yet.

[slaymesoftly.livejournal.com]

You do watch a lot of TV. That settles it - you're meeting me at Jaxx Saturday night (assuming you won't be throwing up on anyone)

[next_to_normal]

LOL, I'll try my best to keep my dinner down.