The Idiot Box
It curious how one’s viewing habits change over time. I increasingly find myself watching and enjoying TV shows today, that I would have balked at 25 years ago. I also find that a lot of the so-called premium shows that are critically acclaimed and discussed at great length in subreddits and blog posts, hold no interest for me. This is not because they’re bad because they’re patently not. I am just overly familiar with television, the same way I am with cinema. I often spot plot devices and twists before they are revealed. I also find that many of the tropes and conceits common to TV have become boring. For example, I enjoy Reacher but the stories never place him in genuine jeopardy. It’s not as if his character is going to be killed off. So his adventures become fun but arbitrary. I also find the way stories are stretched over too many episodes and the obligatory cliffhanger ending predictable. Hence, I watch far less TV than I used to and I look for shows that engage with me in new ways.
It curious how one’s viewing habits change over time. I increasingly find myself watching and enjoying TV shows today, that I would have balked at 25 years ago. I also find that a lot of the so-called premium shows that are critically acclaimed and discussed at great length in subreddits and blog posts, hold no interest for me. This is not because they’re bad because they’re patently not. I am just overly familiar with television, the same way I am with cinema. I often spot plot devices and twists before they are revealed. I also find that many of the tropes and conceits common to TV have become boring. For example, I enjoy Reacher but the stories never place him in genuine jeopardy. It’s not as if his character is going to be killed off. So his adventures become fun but arbitrary. I also find the way stories are stretched over too many episodes and the obligatory cliffhanger ending predictable. Hence, I watch far less TV than I used to and I look for shows that engage with me in new ways.
Here are some of the TV shows that I am currently watching.
Crystal Lake. This is a curious show in so far that it is creatively written, well performed and the plot takes the audiences in several thematic directions that they may not have necessarily expected. There is also some great physical effects and gore. Yet, despite all these positive points you can’t help but feel that Jason Voorhees, one of the horror genres most uncomplicated and two dimensional characters, doesn’t really need such a well crafted origin story. It makes you wonder what they’ll tackle next in a similar “no one asked for this” fashion.
The Celebrity Traitors. I wrote about the Traitors phenomenon recently. It is certainly entertaining, especially the challenges. However, the heart of the show is the round tables discussion at the end of each episode when the participants air their suspicions and decide who to vote off. It is the closest we’ll ever get to a modern witch trial. I find it fascinating that people lapse into various roles such as a Poundland Miss Marple or a tribute act to Matthew Hopkins. The culture that has grown around Traitors is also fascinating, as I believe it taps into several key aspects of the UK’s national identity. The love of gossip and our predisposition to judge others. I may well explore the subject of Reality TV further in an in-depth blog post.
Sam & Ade Go Birding. The second season of this show has just aired and it is just as delightful as the first. I like the pace of this bird watching program. It is sedate, restful and tranquil. It also affords the viewer a small window in which they can forget the problems of the wider world and just immerse themselves in the beauty of nature. Furthermore, that beauty isn’t somewhere else that is exotic but remote. It is here in the UK, right on our own doorsteps. It is also nice to see a benign show about friendship between middle aged men. Samuel West and Ade Edmondson touch upon a variety of real world subjects during the course of their adventures and age has afforded them both with a degree of honest self reflection. I hope it encourages others to do the same.
Strictly Come Dancing. This flagship BBC show has endured several scandals in recent years and the overall format has looked somewhat tired and fatigued. Hence when the two longstanding hosts decided it was time to move on, the producers decided to grasp the nettle and give Strictly (as it is known to the faithful) a major overhaul. The result has been three new hosts, some tinkering to the structure of the show and an honest attempt to try and appeal to a broader audience. I personally feel that all of this has worked. Furthermore, we have a diverse selection of celebrity participants this year and already there have been some excellent wild card performances. Strictly is another show that is couched in positive vibes and provides viewers with a brief respite from life’s unpleasantries, in the run up to Christmas. So far, so good.
The Great Celebrity Pottery Throw Down. I discovered this show by accident, while channel surfing. I haven’t watched any previous series and was surprised by how many of the celebrity participants in this season that I actually knew. So Mrs P and gave it a go and found that it was a far more positive undertaking than other TV shows with the “learn a skill” format. The judges focused on positive comments, rather than excessive criticism and it was uplifting to see people express themselves through working with clay. It also reminded me that I haven’t attempted pottery since school and I really wouldn’t mind having a go again.
It curious how one’s viewing habits change over time. I increasingly find myself watching and enjoying TV shows today, that I would have balked at 25 years ago. I also find that a lot of the so-called premium shows that are critically acclaimed and discussed at great length in subreddits and blog posts, hold no interest for me. This is not because they’re bad because they’re patently not. I am just overly familiar with television, the same way I am with cinema. I often spot plot devices and twists before they are revealed. I also find that many of the tropes and conceits common to TV have become boring. For example, I enjoy Reacher but the stories never place him in genuine jeopardy. It’s not as if his character is going to be killed off. So his adventures become fun but arbitrary. I also find the way stories are stretched over too many episodes and the obligatory cliffhanger ending predictable. Hence, I watch far less TV than I used to and I look for shows that engage with me in new ways.