These days there’s much talk of us being in the age of Peak TV. With over 400 scripted series on American television, a viewer has no choice but to feel perpetually behind. Oh dear, I’ve always wanted to watch A, B, C. Oh no, I still haven’t caught up on X, Y, Z. But as we enter season finale season, I’ve been able to scratch a few shows off my watch list once and for all.
For whatever reason I quit watching a number of shows this year. And I do not regret it at all. They include, in no particular order: “The 100,” “Gotham,” “Sleepy Hollow” and (at least for now) “The Walking Dead.”
I think my issues with “The 100” are pretty self-explanatory. Ahem. I stopped watching “Gotham” just a few episodes into its new season. I hated what happened with Barbara Kean and missed Fish Mooney. I did my best to soldier through “Sleepy Hollow” this season, I really did. But killing Abbie Mills? Dealbreaker. And “The Walking Dead” seems to be once again entering into another lengthy chapter of “Humans Are the Worst” – which have always been my least favorite kind of plotlines on the show. Also they killed Denise; those bastards.
(Side Note: Hey, television, can you maybe cool it on the whole killing women – queer, of color, and otherwise – business? What does a girl have to do to stay alive past the season finale, people?)
I can’t tell you how freeing it feels to decide you just don’t care – and delete your season pass and/or pile-up of unwatched episodes. I’m assuming it’s the same sort of specifically 21st Century satisfaction one feels when achieving Inbox Zero. (I assume because I don’t know, my inbox is over 2,500 right now.)
What this also does is allow me to focus on the other shows languishing on my DVR. Like, I still haven’t made it past the first few episodes of “Supergirl.” So maybe this is my chance to give it a fair show. And (don’t yell at me) the entire last season of “Agent Carter” is stilling on my watch list taunting me. I know, I know. Though the one I continue to feel the worst about is “Jane the Virgin,” which I got behind on in the first season and, well, you know how this story goes. Forgive me, Gina Rodriguez. I still think you’re lovely.
So, did you drop any shows this year? Pick any new ones up?
p.s. Oh, and don’t worry, we’ll talk all about “Wynonna Earp” later this week. Oh, yes we will.
14 comments:
I am lagging behind on Jane the virgin too. Will catch up during summer...
This season I quit Empire after the third episode and, seeing what recently happened, I don't regret it.
I always thought about getting into The 100 because of Clexa but now....
The one show that really got my attention this season was The People vs OJ Simpson. Damn you Ryan Murphy, I thought I was rid of you!
Looking forward to Game of Thrones, even if it will spoil the books that we don't know when/if we are going to read...
Besides that I watch Fresh Off the Boat, Scandal, Greys Anatomy, The Fosters, Transparent, Kimmy Schmidt, Walking Dead, OITNB and the best lesbian family representation on tv this year, the Jillian Michael reality show Just Jillian
I think I forgot some shows but these are the ones I remember off the top of my head
I am quitting The Walking Dead too. It just doesn't work that well as a dramaseries for me, and while I feared Denise wasn't long for that world, I still hated the way they offed her and I hated even more that they didn't show the impact on Tara (I read the actress who plays Tara was unavailable, but still). It's like the relationship wasn't meaningful in TWD universe.
I've not watched The 100 yet and with all the recent controversy, I wonder if it's something I still should try.
I just started watching Downton Abbey and only three episodes in, I already adore that show.
Quit The 100, of course, but reconsidering Supergirl...have really given up on any 'network tv' for any 'entertainment' diverse enough to keep my interest, primarily because, well, it's just not. American TV is formulaic and predictable, and I don't think I need to explain why I think that. I've spent a lot of time on YouTube channels geared to my personal 'likes,' I.e. Carmilla, All For One, and so on, and I'll catch a live stream or replay of ANY women's soccer game I can find (take note here, US sports networks). As I write this, my TV is tuned to a US college softball game because hey, it's softball, and it's the best way I can find to support women in sports and TV at the same time...so...
I stopped watching t100, its becoming too dark, crossing boundaries with sensitive issues( not in a good way), doesn't warn audience before traumatic scenes and calls it shocking. I won't be watching GoT since its become a feminist nightmare. After Sansa's rape scene and Cersei's walk of shame, I can't anymore. I liked both of them because they seemed innovative + I like SciFi but tv is crossing boundaries at least for me. I know its just entertainment but when entertainment starts to make you wanna puke, it aint entertaining anymore ( at least not for me).
I'll be watching Orphan Black and FearTWD
Well, I *was* going to watch the 100, and watched the first 2 episodes and then Lexa got shot.
I dropped Gotham as well. Barbara hooking up with Tabitha didn't seem to be going anywhere beyond titillation for the men and Kristen's death disgusted me.
I'm so close to dropping OUAT. It's all hanging on how they handle Mulan's and Red's return.
I'm all in for Wynonna Earp and look forward to your post about it!
I was a full 6 episodes behind on Sleepy Hollow before the finale even aired. But this kind of behavior of killing strong kick-ass minority women -- whether they be POC, whether they be sliding away from the hetero side of the Kinsey scale, hell, even if they aren't minority women but are just WOMEN -- I'm tired of it. The moment I read the spoilers for the Sleepy Hollow finale, I deleted all my unwatch eps.
And, I'll be honest, I'm less and less inclined to watch ANY new show until I know the outcome.
So, in many ways, it's less what I've stopped watching and more 'what I don't intend to START watching'. I mean, I'm truly nearing the point where I'm willing to wait 3-5 YEARS to know there will be a happy ending before I emotionally invest in anything. And if I were show-runners or advertisers, that's what I'd be worried about: audiences simply saying, "I've been hurt too many times before, and I'm not going to let you do it to me again. So, no, I'm not going to watch your show until it's over and I know the end is worth my time."
I have not but WILL watch The 100 & Sleepy Hollow. I love both shows even if they kill off the "wrong" characters. I have stopped watching The Americans and Homeland. Stories are very dark and I found the lead characters too "bulletproof".
Im loving Supergirl, but wish they would kill off the "unrequited love" storyline between Kara and Jimmy Olsen. Supergirl is best when she is with Cat and sister Alex.
People need to watch iZombie. Great fun show !!!
BEST NEWS YET ... Person of Interest returns May 3rd.
The 100 obviously.
But Gotham as well, by the end I was mostly in it because Barbara (I can forgive crazy). Without her, I'm less forgiving.
I have tried to love supergirl but I don't and I've given up trying now.
I gave up legends of tomorrow too. I knew that I wasn't going to like it, but I tried anyway.
I stopped watching Jane the Virgin a while back, I don't even remember why.
Also gave up agents of shield.
And Elementary. Although I might catch that up again at some point.
And the good wife. I miss Kalinda too much.
There is a British show called Happy Valley, S1 was phenominal, but I could not get into S2 at all for some reason.
I also stopped watching OJ, I plan to finish it, but it wasn't holding my attention.
I watched agent carter but I was super disappointed. I always liked the juxtaposition of Peggy living a normal life and being a spy, this season was all spy which doesn't really interest me as much (It is like when they kill off all the humans on vampire shows, looking at you TVD).
Mostly what this list shows is that I watch way too much tv.
Dorothy, I find your comment that you are discontinuing watching The 100 both disingenuous and dishonest. In previous postings you have ignored the show and admitted it was not your cup of tea. So your "stopping" watching just seems like political posturing. You have plenty of company on the outrage band wagon. I say, "Good riddance" to all of you poseurs who never really watched The 100,mor were just there to ship one (admittedly awesome) couple (Clexa).
In prep for "Wynonna Earp": get ready for the #HauteWave
Blindspot. Not enough gay :)
FWIW, Barbara showed up on Gotham again; too soon to see where it goes but she is out of the coma/hospital. I actually just started watching Xena on netflix; never saw it before. It's pretty cheesy but fun. I'm waiting for Peaky Blinders to come back, and I'm hanging in on The 100 because of Octavia (the actress is quite good). Once they kill her (which I am sure they will) then I can walk away.
Supergirl is a lot of fun. And Chyler Leigh looks FAB in black fatigues.
Agent Carter is great - Hayley Atwell and James D'arcy are brilliant together and HA totally kicks *ss!
After being a big enough fan to read almost all the spin off books as well I sadly gave up on Castle this season as the 'keep 'em apart for almost no reason' was just too much to take after waiting for them to finally get together and have their happy ending.
Great to have so much choice but more gays, less death and greater respect for the audience would be nice all round please.
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