Short attention span television
Jun 29th, 2009 by dino-ray
There are so many television shows out there and seeing as though I watch a lot of TV, I watch a lot of said shows. But like the rest of the Twitterfied public, I have a short attention span. I get obsessed with a show and then my interest wanes. The reason for the waning varies. Some shows may just slip through the cracks and others just get really lame and annoying – which brings me to my first show that departed my DVR recording queue: Gossip Girl.
It took me a long time to jump on the GG bandwagon. In fact, I didn’t start watching it until after the writer’s strike. One day, I gave in. I watched the first episode and from the first breathy X-O-X-O, I was hooked. I loved S. I loved B. I loved how B was the biggest bitch. I loved the headbands. I loved Chuck. I loved his slimy dandyism. After I completed the first season, (which I watched in one entire sitting mind you) I was craving more. I loved to see these rich kids get into a whole lotta mess – because they deserved it. It was hot. And the fact that Georgina (Michelle Trachtenberg) was even a bigger bitch than Blair (Leighton Meester) – and I didn’t even think that was possible – was the icing on the cake. Well, they were in different bitch categories, Blair was more of a in-your-face bitch whereas Georgina is a sneaky bitch and would screw up your life with her two face antics.
Even this soft core porn ad couldn’t bring me back to the show
When I started watching season 2, I felt the wane. Lil J (Taylor Momsen) got annoying. Really annoying. Her smoky eyes made her look like a “Joan Jett: The Musical” understudy. Then everything just got muddled and blah. Dan (Penn Badgley) was becoming a little punk. Nate (Chace Crawford) was becoming an Abercrombie & Fitch wuss and the only thing interesting about him was his man bangs. And don’t even get me started on Serena (Blake Lively). Boring with a capital yawn. The only one worth watching was Chuck (Ed Westwick) – well, I just liked his outfits.
The same goes with Heroes. I was enthralled with it’s X-men meets Lost mythology, but then that whole thing called season 2 happened and I just couldn’t handle Hayden Panittierrerererere and her lack of personality – not to mention Milo and his crooked-mouthed yelling.
There are some that I just stop watching because of no particular reason. I just don’t make them a priority anymore. I mean, I loved 30 Rock – but I just stopped watching. Same goes with Eastbound and Down and Flight of the Concords – I loved those shows. Unfortunately, they just fell off my radar. It’s like that friend from college you lost touch with. You wouldn’t mind running into them down the road.
Then there is Mad Men. This show is like the friend I let down. The dad I disappointed. I watched season one and was totally enthralled. Then, I didn’t even bother with season two; knowing damn well I was disappointing the show. It’s like the lover I abandoned after a raunchy one-night stand.
There are plenty of other shows that have either fell through the cracks or I just don’t want to bother with anymore: Skins, the new 90210 and now Nurse Jackie – and that hasn’t even been on a full season. Talk about short attention span.
Luckily I have shows that constantly keep me satisfied like a reliable hooker: Lost (of course), The Office, How I Met Your Mother, United States of Tara, Glee (one episode and I was HOOKED) and most recently, I jumped on the True Blood bandwagon (and these don’t include my reality show obsessions. Yes, I watch A LOT of TV).
If you look at the aforementioned list they either have one of the following: 1.) constant development of an intriguing storyline that keeps you guessing (can you say DHARMA INITIATIVE?) 2.) humor that is clever and smart (please reference any episode of HIMYM or The Office) 3.) Crazy-ass characters set in a blood-sucking small town in Louisiana or 4.) a woman with dissociative identity disorder and her dysfunctional family.
Who knows? With shows coming in and out of the woodwork, my interest may change yet again. Oh wait – gotta go – The Bachelorette is on.
Watch Mad Men season 2 now. Go. Quick. Before season 3 begins in August.
I know! But will Don Draper and co. accept me back into their lives? I felt like I have betrayed them!