Tonight I am taking a stand. I am boycotting Jack.
There have been many episodes of 24 over the years where I turned my head away when it got too violent and even considered giving up on one of my favorite guilty pleasures, but I never went through with it. But last week was the final straw. I’m so over it. The story line is too familiar, and the efforts of the writers and producers to try to shock their audience is too obvious. I think I’m done. Some shows need to know when to give it up.
I’m feeling similarly disenchanted with Lost, but since it’s the last season I guess I’ll stick it out.
Survivor, on the other hand, may be in its 20th season, but it’s still got a little bit of life left in it. I watched the season premiere of Heros vs Villains last week, and I’m hooked. I love it when they bring back familiar contestants.
And American Idol FINALLY went to Hollywood. I’m not particularly excited about anyone at the moment. Maddy Curtis went home, and she was the main one I was hoping to see make the Top 20. But I’m still looking forward to seeing who begins to stand out as they narrow the playing field.
Finally, The Amazing Race started again this week. I have watched every single season of The Amazing Race since the very first episode, and it’s still among my favorite TV shows. It’s definitely a case of living vicariously because there is no way in a million years I’d ever be able to hack it on that show. My husband and I just laugh as we watch some of the challenges, imagining what kind of havoc it would wreck on our marriage were we to be put in the same situation.
Does anyone know when the dance shows come back on — Dancing With the Stars and So You Think You Can Dance? I miss those.
Finally, I believe I’m the only one in the civilized world not watching the Olympics. I tried to watch a bit last night, but I found myself nodding off. I really prefer the summer Olympics for some reason. I love gymnastics and swimming and diving and track & field. I was looking forward to skating, but I just couldn’t get into it. Perhaps when the singles take the ice, I’ll be more interested.
How about you? What shows are you into right now? Are you an avid fan of the Olympics, or can you take it or leave it?
And what did you learn this week? Here are the rules, in case you’re rusty.
Interesting post… as far as TV goes we love to watch Heros, Private Practice, Leverage, and several others. I never could get into the reality type shows and have a hard time understanding the point of them… I did enjoy watching the game shows for kids on Nickelodeon though – I think one was where parent and child competed and someone always got splatted with goo or food or something. Seeing adults do something like eat bugs or whatever just doesn’t interest me. I am quite the same with just about any sports – I love to play just not watch – with the exception of ice skating, skiing, and tennis (for some reason those are just interesting to me – probably because I have tried them but never gotten good at them) so don’t think your the only one NOT watching the Olympics…
Not really a fan of the reality here… I’m really into “Life Unexpected”. It’s awesome. It’s on CW on Monday nights at 9. It’s about a teenage girl who was in foster care and is no under guardianship of her birth parents. It is funny, sad…really heartwarming. It is definitely a show that I could watch with my kids around. I love “Chuck”, “Modern Family”, Thurs. night comedy on NBC, “The Good Wife”…I really watch way too much tv, but I love it.
We’re watching Olympics. In fact, we finally bought the little box and a decent antenna (which we have to put on the patio, in order to get reception!), so we could watch it this year. We like the skating, hockey, and skiing — well, almost all of it. Anyway, we really didn’t watch any TV for years, until last week, so we’ve been blissfully unaware of all these silly reality shows, and haven’t wasted hundreds of hours watching people who don’t know how to act, doing ridiculous things that don’t matter. And the violence and sex? Ugh.
I don’t watch the skeevy ones (Big Brother? No thanks. The Bachelor? UGH.) but I do like the ones I listed, mainly b/c they aren’t full of violence and sex, for the most part. And I just like reality. I prefer movies that are based on true stories, and I like to see real people achieving their goals and having fun, especially on shows that really challenge them.
I cannot give up on Jack.
I do have to turn my head but I’ve been addicted to that show since day one. I will miss it when it’s gone – I think this is the last season.
Other than that, I like American Idol because the kids like it but pretty much strongly dislike reality shows. I love The Mentalist right now – Simon Baker is funny. I also like Modern Family quite a bit – it’s pretty funny. We are watching the Olympics, too – good stuff there.
The Mentalist looks interesting. I haven’t started a new show in a few years now. I think So You Think You Can Dance might be the last “new” show I started watching. Maybe it’s time to add another to my repertoire since Jack’s out.
Well I don’t watch any of those shows so I can’t really give any input whatsoever. LOL! BUT I have been watching the Winter Olympics and staying up way to late. But I was just telling my daughter that I prefer the Summer Olympics.
Hugs
Kim
I’m with you on Lost and the Olympics! Lost confuses me and I just can’t get into the Olympics at all.
I know what you mean about 24, but I haven’t hit that wall yet, I’m just not ready to give Jack up:)
Absolutely LOVE Survivor & this season especially. It’s always fun to see people return & see how they play the game differently. I’m pulling for Colby just b/c I want to look at him throughout the season:)
I love reality, so honestly I like all your other ones too!!
I adore Jack. But yeah, the storyline is almost predictable.
LOST. Oh, LOST. Don’t give up yet.
SURVIVOR. Oh baby. I love this show. Right now I’m a villain. I can’t help it. I like Russell AND Boston Rob.
a
Heh. I haven’t given up on Lost, but it just seems like they aren’t tying up the lose ends as they promised they would. I am enjoying the scenes about where they would have ended up had the crash not happened. I guess I need to read your recaps and try to make head or tails of it.
The Olympics is a big pass for me as well. I have enough snow, don’t need to watch it on TV LOL I like the summer Olympics alot better.
I’ve actually been watching The Office on Netflix for the past couple of weeks. It’s dumb, but so entertaining.
I know what you mean about Jack. We missed 24 last night because of the Oympics, and I’m not sure I want to watch him get tortured. Hmmmm.
I love, love, LOVE the Amazing Race. (You reminded me that I still have to watch it from Sunday.) I used to dream about racing with my dad–we get along so well–but now I think we’re both too old. We’d be the first ones out! But I love to travel, and the show gives me ideas of where I’d like to go next.
We’re into the Olympics because one of our neighbors is in the speed skating competition. It’s exciting around here! She did really well on Sunday (no medal, but I don’t think she was expecting one.)
I love the olympics and have been watching as much as I can. I also love Big Bang Theory and The Mentalist. Burn Notice is good too!
We watch the Olympics here and there. My kids are somewhat interested in some of the events. But we are not so committed that we are keeping a schedule.
We watch the Biggest Loser faithfully, although Husband and I both think we are probably a little over it, but not enough to stop watching. We also watch Community (hilarious!) and The Office regularly. I watch Project Runway–I love the clothes, even if the designers sometimes get on my nerves.
That is all that we watch regularly. I have never seen an entire episode of any of the shows you mentioned! We’re big sports fans, especially baseball and college football, so that takes up a lot of our viewing time.
I never watch the Biggest Loser b/c it comes on the same time as something else I watch, can’t remember what. But you reminded me about Project Runway! I have to watch it on my computer b/c we don’t get Lifetime, but I’m a huge fan of that show and I don’t miss an episode.
Oh, I thought of my other favorite show. Extreme Makeover:Home Edition. I love love love what they do and always cry. It’s such a feel good show, though. Plus, Ty is just a bonus.
I tried to watch 24 with my husband once and couldn’t make it…..
My 6 year old keeps asking when Dancing with the stars is back on too!
Love Amazing race and always ask my husband if I can sign us up, I have no idea why, we would be horrible!
I never got into Lost or 24…not my cup of tea I think. I love my dramas, my CSI’s (yes all of them) and Surviver. I think in the back of my head I really just want Boston Rob to win…it won’t happen but still. A girl can dream.
I love the Olympics, skiing, skating…all of it. I dvr it during the day and watch/skip the parts I want before the night coverage starts. My DVR may start spewing smoke soon…
I used to watch CSI. Got tired of that too. Seemed like they kept trying to make it grosser than gross, yk?
I watch it sometimes but yes, it does seem to get grosser every time I watch. It’s all about shock value these days. Anything seems to go on TV anymore.
I don’t watch any shows but I also find the Summer Olympics more interesting, especially track. The fast blows me away.
I think Lost has it right, any longer and they would lose fans but as it sits now they still have most hooked. They had better deliever on answers or I am going to Hollywood for a lynching.
I am going to admit my ubbber dorkiness and confess that I am a huge BBC fan and love love DR WHO. And will sorely miss David Tenant as the Doctor. But life goes on.
Other than that in this household we have become addicted to American Pickers and Pawn Stars. They make me want to go garage selling really bad.
And we aren’t watching the Olympics either….I too prefer the summer over the winter.
Oh my goodness. You are dead to me*. Give up on Jack? NOOOOOO! I just can’t do it. Also, it’s the only TV show hubs will watch, so it’s our “thing”. I watch it for Jack, but I also watch for Chloe. She is the bomb. And, Lost too? That is my other favorite show. I love it! I really don’t get to watch TV much anymore. Those are the 2 that I make sure I watch. Other than that, I could watch Gilmore Girls re-runs for hours on end. Loved that show.
*Ok, I love you too much, I take it back.
I do love Chloe. Hmmm…
Yeah – I’ve given up on Jack too. There are only so many story lines around biological weapons that I can handle. And I am at my limit.
Olympics are on here all the time – I love the winter Olympics – summer too!
Other than that, there really aren’t too many shows that are a must see for me right now – unless you count BBC – I can’t get enough of Chef Ramsey! Some day I will eat in one of his restaurants.
Not really a fan of television shows whatsoever. We don’t watch them–and I haven’t watched TV for 17 years! *grins*
LOL, Cathryn. You are SO much better off for it. I sometimes wish I could hock mine.
I’m a huge LOST junkie, with a capital J, don’t mess with the Tuesday night line-up/routine, kind of way.
We also are faithful Amazing Race fans.
I recently discovered Fringe and LOVE it’s quirky, sci-fi, science theme.
I don’t know when our fave dance shows start up again. Maybe this summer for SYTYCD? Did you hear that Ashleigh and Ryan are being heavily recruited for DWTS?
AND could someone please tell me WHEN Friday NIght Lights will be back on NBC (we don’t have Direct TV & it usually airs first there)?!?!
No, I didn’t hear about Ashleigh and Ryan on DWTS. That would be cool.
Not into Lost this season? Oh no!! We can’t get enough!!
You know, I’ve always struggled with Lost, ever since I realized it wasn’t realistic. I’m not into sci-fi AT. ALL. So I think that’s why. Even though I like it, I am tiring of it.
There’s really nothing on TV that has me excited right now. I watch AI and The Bachelor and a couple others, but nothing has my heart all of flutter. I am excited for Flash Forward and V to come back, but CRAP could they have taken a longer break for what?!
Nell
I thought Ellen did an excellent job on American Idol last week and I can’t wait to watch tonight. And we are LOVING the Olympics and by “we” I mean David and I because the Baby Girl is not loving it all. She think its “boring”. I also like the crime dramas, Criminal Minds, Bones, The Closer. And this year I got turned on to Chuck by mom office assistant and I have to say that I really like it. Clever, funny and a little bit of action. Very cute show.
Oh, I think we’re a week behind on 24 on TiVo…now I’m trying to figure out if I am super curious about your issue or just going to trust ya on this one and SKIP IT! I feel in over my head on Lost, too. Can you believe Coach ticked me off and I stopped Survivor that season and didn’t watch last season, touted as the best one ever!? I’ll learn my lesson – I’m “back” for Survivor now.
Looking fwd to V and Flash Fwd, too – they’re still intriguing me!
Katie
We watch Biggest Loser and American Idol as a family and forget the rest. I did a blog post that I was one of the only people in the world NOT watching the Super Bowl. (http://themagicbrushinc.blogspot.com/2010/02/i-am.html) I would honestly rather surf blogworld than watch everything that’s on tv. Most of it is horrible.
Shoot, I keep forgetting Lost is back. They waited way too long and I have yet to see a minute of the final season. I gave up on Jack during the woman president’s first term. They cancelled what might have been my favourite show of all (modern) time… Pushing Daisies. And Monk is gone now, so I don’t watch much of anything. Jethro Gibbs got PC this season, so NCIS has been a disappointment. Bones got too weird last year. Angela was my favourite character till they made her… uh… well, disgusting. I still watch Extreme Makeover: Home Edition when I remember it’s on; same for Chuck. I reckon the only shows I watch regulalry are 7th Street Theatre, on one of the Christian channels, and Design on a Dime. Oh, and no Olympics. 8-}
I watch Biggest Loser, Lost, and I hate to say it, the Bachelor, although I’m thinking last night may be the end that last one for me. We have been watching the Olympics, but admit that it has put me asleep the past two nights. Ice dancing? Yuck.
Survivor was AWESOME! I’m looking forward to seeing how it plays out this season.
I also LOVE AI but don’t have any favorites at the moment.
We love Top Chef and Amazing Race as well. And for non-reality shows my husband and I really dig The Office, Community, Modern Family and The Middle. If you haven’t watched the last three, you should really check them out.
Oh yes – and my new guilty pleasure – GLEE! Anxiously awaiting it to start back up.
Hmmmm…I think I watch waaaaaayyy too much TV.
How could I forget about GLEE!???? Love that one. When does it start up again?
my main show biggest loser not on so turning between american idol and the olympics
Tim and I are watching LOST too, but we’re definitely ready for some answers. Truth be told, we’re mostly watching because we’ve come this far and now we want to know what-in-the-world everything means. I’m worried that the finale is going to disappoint though…
The only other show we watch is Fringe. Have you seen it?
Wow…we watch a lot of the same shows!
24 – Yeah, I think we get the point that Jack can withstand torture of pretty much any kind. But he’s just so yummy…and I’m waiting for Audrey to come back!!
Lost – I’m with you on this one. The “what if” scenes are great…but I swear I feel like they’re stirring up more questions than answering them on the island.
TAR – LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this show! I’m rooting for Jeff & Jordan b/c I watched them on Big Brother (now there’s some trashy TV for ya, but I love it!)
AI – I’ve gotten less and less enthused about each season of it. Last year I didn’t even watch it except for the finale. I’m catching more of it this year for some reason, but nothing is grabbing at me.
Some other ones I watch are Bachelor and Biggest Loser.
Gotta love reality TV!
Yep, we dropped Jack I guess it was last season. 24 was just so…unpleasant. It wasn’t what I wanted to put myself through right before bed. I heard it was a pretty good season, but I can’t say I missed it much. AS you said, it got to be such a formula. Those first few seasons were incredible though.
I HAVE been watching the figure skating a bit, but I like the summer a bit more too.
I am an surprisingly (to me) an avid fan of snowboard cross. And, although we are not skiing right now, we live in a ski resort village and I am going to see if (probably when) I can watch this live. Plus, speed skating. How could you not love watching Apollo Ohno?
TV? I watch very little…it must be historical, funny or newsworthy. Blood and guts not so much for me. Reality? Maybe Trump for biz tips, but that’s it. Oh, last few episodes of Idol after they stop humiliating the really bad ones.
Waaaah!
I did not manage to blog any lessons this week – I have not missed a week in AGES
Missing you already!