Popular stuff you actually like. by reginaroadie

TALK STORY

Popular stuff you actually like.

POSTED BY: REGINAROADIE
UPDATED: Sunday, October 14, 2007 11:02
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VIEWED: 2554
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Wednesday, October 10, 2007 5:55 PM

Hey All

Here's another "what is your favorite blank" thread that hopefully will have some traction.

Since this is a FIREFLY website, I'm guessing that the majority of our collective taste is more subversive. We idolize FIREFLY, anything with Joss' name on it, and any other show that has our BDH's on it, as well as any other show that only lasts a season or less. But I was wondering if there are some really popular stuff on TV that we might trash on the site, but that personally we actually like. I'm talking about shows that are always in the top 10 and that everyone and their grandma watches on a regular basis.

I'll go first. I'll admit that I've actually been watching DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES since it first came on. It may not be perfect, but those few times where it clicks makes it a delicious little black comedy. Plus, Bree is one of my fave characters on TV now because I see her as a parallel dimension version of my mom. It's the same reason I loved Lois on MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE.

While I've only watched two episodes of any of the CSI's, I love to kill time with any of the LAW AND ORDER's. I mean, the basic structure of a LAW AND ORDER ep is pretty much the same, so you'll never miss anything if you just tune in and out. But I only watch depending on which headline they've borrowed for this weeks plot, and the guest stars they have. Plus, it's always great to see McCoy prosecuting witnesses.

As for the dreaded reality show genre, I admit to watching SURVIVOR and THE AMAZING RACE on a regular basis. The former because it's still the gold standard, and the latter because I'm from a family of travelers, and like seeing them go around the world. And even though some are writing it off as a child exploitation on a LORD OF THE FLIES level, I'm really into KID NATION, actually. I just like seeing these city kids that lead pampered lives put into this somewhat harsh situation where they have to learn self-reliance, teamwork and how the real world works. It's not like they have them in an actual sweatshop making clothes.

As for medical shows, I still watch ER. That's my fill of doctors and medicine and all that. I have never and will never watch an episode of GREY'S ANATOMY.

So what are some really popular stuff that you actually watch and like?

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"And it starts with a sentence that might last a lifetime, or it all might just go down in flames. If I let you know me, then why would you want me? Each day I don't is a shame. Each day I don't is a great shame."

Loudon Wainwright III - "Strange Weirdos" off the "Knocked Up" soundtrack

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Wednesday, October 10, 2007 6:47 PM

FINN MAC CUMHAL

I honestly don’t watch much of the Mainstream stuff. Law and Order is about the only thing I can think of. And while I admit to really like it – I don’t watch it faithfully, because I just don’t have the time.

I also got into watching Everyday Italian, because two of my favorite things are Italian food and cleavage.

Nihil est incertius vulgo, nihil obscurius voluntate hominum, nihil fallacius ratione tota comitiorum.

Nothing is more unpredictable than the mob, nothing more obscure than public opinion, nothing more deceptive than the whole political system.

-- Cicero

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Wednesday, October 10, 2007 10:35 PM

BORIS

I usually shirk mainstream but I love desperate housewives. they are all such deliciously flawed characters! I'm Australian so we are lucky enough to get some decent British TV and our own stuff except soap, is pretty good. the only other mainstream stuff I watch is Numbers, and all the CSI's coz I started studying head and neck anatomy, and I know what they are talking about.

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Thursday, October 11, 2007 2:49 AM

JONGSSTRAW

"POPULAR" is another name for mediocre, average, and mindless. Look at everything that's popular...lowest common denominator crap! Whether it's TV shows, movies, cars, celebrities, etc, if it's "popular" you can be sure that high school dropouts and trash of all colors will love it.

Am I a snob? Maybe a little. I do not watch Television, except for a couple of HBO shows like Entourage, Big Love & Curb Your Enthusiasm....I also used to watch Sopranos and Rome....that's it...no network politically correct, gay & Muslim friendly network shows with the same old tired, boring actors that go on and on, year after year, show after show....they all make me wanna puke.

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Thursday, October 11, 2007 4:15 AM

CYBERSNARK

Heroes, Prison Break, Star Trek (though I'm more into the novels than the TV/movies), Star Wars (again, the EU for me).

I only really watch licensed anime (mainly because there's so much anime available that I haven't seen that if I tried to explore the subs-only stuff I wouldn't have time to do anything else). I'm an unabashed Naruto fanboy. Believe it.

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We applied the cortical electrodes but were unable to get a neural reaction from either patient.

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Thursday, October 11, 2007 4:33 AM

REGINAROADIE

Not to nitpick, but I wouldn't necessarily call HEROES mainstream. I know it has big ratings and all that, but when I mention HEROES to people, some of them go "What he Hell is that?" To them, HEROES is on the same level as FIREFLY in that I have to tell them what that show is.

I'd describe geek-friendly mythology shows like HEROES, LOST, 24, THE OFFICE, etc. as more like "cult shows that caught on" rather than mainstream successes. They're not on the level as say DEAL OR NO DEAL.

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"And it starts with a sentence that might last a lifetime, or it all might just go down in flames. If I let you know me, then why would you want me? Each day I don't is a shame. Each day I don't is a great shame."

Loudon Wainwright III - "Strange Weirdos" off the "Knocked Up" soundtrack

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Thursday, October 11, 2007 7:00 AM

ZEROKIRYU

Quote:
Originally posted by Cybersnark:
I'm an unabashed Naruto fanboy. Believe it.

Same here, as well as Bleach. XD

Otherwise I'd have to say Grey's Anatomy, ER, Law And Order: SVU.

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There are children throwing snowballs instead of throwing heads.

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Thursday, October 11, 2007 7:11 AM

ZEEK

Lost...though I don't really say I like the show. I just friggin want to know what the (*&@#$@ is going on already. The first season I liked, but back then I thought they actually knew what stuff was supposed to mean. Instead they are more like "let's throw in a hatch in the ground that'll be weird and make people wonder....we can figure out what it is later." ARGH!

I'm watching Survivor this season cause they got a poker player on there and I want to see how he does.

I watch smallville cause...well it's got superman and lana is hot.

That's about it.

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Thursday, October 11, 2007 8:46 AM

COSMICFUGITIVE

House M.D.
Grey's Anatomy.

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Thursday, October 11, 2007 8:58 AM

THESOMNAMBULIST

I'm not a big TV watcher now that Joss' shows are off the air, but when Ugly Betty is on I'll watch that with my girlfriend. The nephew has me in stitches!

Lost I enjoy alot but I'm alone with this one as I am happy to wait for resolutions to the oddities it contains. Most people are feverishly scouting the net for further clues. Me I'll wait thanks.

Recently a couple of friends of mine popped over to watch Supernatural which they introduced me to and I really like it. I think it's right up there with things like HEROES which is also good if a little over contrived.

www.cirqus.com

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Friday, October 12, 2007 2:51 PM

BORIS

thought I'd get into heroes...but can't. liked the first season of Lost, but it died for me early in season 2. Just don't want to know about Locke, Jack Sawyer or Kate, the other characters are way more interesting. I did watch episode six of season three... naturally, but then got annoyed knowing they wouldn't pursue the :"what happened to Kate's hubby after she left?" Also watched the last two eps, and enjoyed them. Charlie was one of the few characters I liked.loved first 5 eps of Ugly Betty, then it sort of went flat. she's not really ugly is she? she's not even plain. maybe it should be called "Ordinary Betty", or "Just like everybody else Betty." Life is the only new show I like. I'd love to see a show where all of the characters are played by ordinary looking actors.(I'm an idealist)

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Sunday, October 14, 2007 9:12 AM

ORPHEUS

Like a couple other people around here, I'm not a big TV watcher. For some reason, I just can't get into hourlong series. I was actually enjoying Drive before SOMEONE decided to cancel it. And the one show I AM watching this season, Reaper, is failing miserably in the ratings.

Most of my TV watching is confined to cartoons (King of the Hill, South Park, Metalocalypse), documentary shows (Mythbusters, Dirty Jobs, The History Channel), or sitcoms (How I Met Your Mother, Two and a Half Men).

Aside from King of the Hill I'm pretty much boycotting that certain TV network.

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Sunday, October 14, 2007 10:22 AM

REGINAROADIE

I'm guessing you were a fan of THE SOPRANOS, then. I read in an article that one of the great things about THE SOPRANOS was that they weren't afraid of casting people who looked like they fell off the back of a truck. And you have to admit that the series has good looking people on it, but they're more average looking than fashion model type.

And if you live in Canada or the U.K., then any housewife will guide you towards CORONATION STREET. For the unenlightened, it is the longest running British soap opera with one of the worst theme songs ever. And pretty much most of the cast is between average looking and butt ugly.

**************************************************
"And it starts with a sentence that might last a lifetime, or it all might just go down in flames. If I let you know me, then why would you want me? Each day I don't is a shame. Each day I don't is a great shame."

Loudon Wainwright III - "Strange Weirdos" off the "Knocked Up" soundtrack

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Sunday, October 14, 2007 11:02 AM

JLIN

Quote:
Originally posted by boris:
I'd love to see a show where all of the characters are played by ordinary looking actors.(I'm an idealist)

The Office is played by ordinary looking actors--I think lots of the people on the show were actually writer that they just had fill the desks for the first few episodes and it worked for them.

As far as popular shows I watch (and I watch tons of TV): My Name is Earl, The Office, Deadliest Catch, Heroes, Law and Order SVU. But the stuff I'm most guilty about is all the Celebreality on VH1. Hmmm...I can't beleive I even admitted that.

Honestly, I'd give up most any of these shows for more Firefly.

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