I think I'm going to hurl...

POSTED BY: Shiny
UPDATED: Friday, February 20, 2004 18:24
VIEWED: 7963
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SERENITYNOW

Tuesday, February 17, 2004 3:00 PM

Feeling bitter? Want your TV-transcending TV show back? Frustrated by low-brow replacement shows that are cheaper and get a wider audience?

Relax, guys. People watch TV to be entertained--people like to be entertained. "Punch & Judy" used to be really popular before TV was invented. There's even a lot of "fairy tales" that are just stories about stupid people (like "The Three Sillies," which is all over medieval Europe and is about as deep as the title suggests).

People like dumb things. I don't know why you're shocked at this. And /I/ like dumb things, too--not just fantastic works of art like "Firefly". Don't blame Fox for human nature. I mean, we all hate Fox (heck, even Mat Groening hates Fox) but really, why do we have to be elitist sci fi snobs?

I'm sorry if that sounds harsh--I guess I'm just complaining about the complaining. It's just, well, here I am in Asia and there is nothing that compares to the overall quality of Firefly--America (and specifically creators like Joss) has taken the television show to an art form that is unsurpassed elsewhere in my experience, except perhaps in the UK. Most places have "Fox" quality stuff all the time--because it sells. And it will always sell.

Firefly is the cream--and you're complaining that everyone else is drinking water. (Sorry to beat a dead horse--I'll stop now.)

http://dryope.typepad.com/superfly/

JAYNE'SJOJO

Tuesday, February 17, 2004 3:02 PM

11thHour:

And I think calling them inbred idjets is an insult to the inbred idjets community

FOX

JoJo

BROWNCOAT1

Tuesday, February 17, 2004 3:48 PM

SerenityNow wrote:

Quote:
People like dumb things. I don't know why you're shocked at this. And /I/ like dumb things, too--not just fantastic works of art like "Firefly". Don't blame Fox for human nature. I mean, we all hate Fox (heck, even Mat Groening hates Fox) but really, why do we have to be elitist sci fi snobs?

It is obvious people like "dumb" things. If they didn't, networks like Fox would not continue to turn out garbage like "Simple Life", "Littlest Groom", and "My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiancee".

I am not really surprised persay by the viewing choices, as I am completely and utterly disappointed by them. I can understand that the majority of TV viewers want simple, thoughtless television to watch, and that they do not want to invest the energy into the thought processes behind a quality show, but that does not mean I agree with, or follow, the mainstream.

Sci fi enthusiasts have long been apart from the mainstream and if reality shows are what the general population are watching, I am glad that I am part of the minority.

"May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one."

SERENITYNOW

Tuesday, February 17, 2004 4:47 PM

Dude--don't you ever want to just be like a kid sometimes and like dumb, mindless fluff just 'cause it's fun? Trash TV is just another form of childhood regression, in my opinion--like watching some of the sillier anime (Dragonball, Ranma & 1/2, and the like) or (shudder) going to a Disney cartoon or James Bond movie. It's whimsical, not a petty form of evil.

The petty evil, is of course, doing nothing but these shows in place of Firefly. That's the real issue.

Of course, like most elitist sci fi/fantasy snobs, I read only the *best* (China Mielville, for ex.), eschewing the pulp stuff (Piers Anthony) and don't watch much TV if I can help it except for very selected shows (you know which). But people I really respect /do/ watch that trash TV--just because the shows are fun and lighthearted. And they read those books. It's because, well, what is the point of life if you can't let go of your brain for a bit and enjoy something that just makes you feel good and laugh. And even I admit that after a few drinks, even the "Obnoxoius Fiance" show looks pretty good (I do need some drinks, though).

Again, I find myself beating a horse. Sorry folks. I guess my point is, I think y'all's anger is misplaced and you're being kinda judgemental. (yes, I am the kettle.)

http://dryope.typepad.com/superfly/

BROWNCOAT1

Tuesday, February 17, 2004 4:53 PM

SerenityNow wrote:

Quote:
Dude--don't you ever want to just be like a kid sometimes and like dumb, mindless fluff just 'cause it's fun? Trash TV is just another form of childhood regression, in my opinion--like watching some of the sillier anime (Dragonball, Ranma & 1/2, and the like) or (shudder) going to a Disney cartoon or James Bond movie. It's whimsical, not a petty form of evil.

Yes, I do at times want mindless entertainment, but when I do, I watch a comedy show or one of those really horrible B rated movies so I can have my own version of MST3K on my couch. I have never, ever felt the urge to watch a reality program.

The problem w/ "reality" tv is that it is not "reality". It is easy to tell that the majority of what one sees is scripted, thus not reality at all. For networks to pass this off as reality is an insult to their intelligence.

"May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one."

WHOODAHN

Tuesday, February 17, 2004 5:01 PM

Fox = Barnam & Baily circus.

That's why they canceled Firefly, it wasn't a circus act.

ENGSTROM

Tuesday, February 17, 2004 5:09 PM

Sat through the same garbage previews of some of these new reality shows while watching the Simpsons the other night. My kids were ready to commit me because all I could say for the rest of the night was "..and they took Firefly off for this trash...".

11THHOUR

Wednesday, February 18, 2004 6:00 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Jayne'sJoJo:
11thHour:

And I think calling them inbred idjets is an insult to the inbred idjets community

FOX

JoJo

* snarf *

Okay... okay... yer right.

Scenario:

I'm imagining a FOX exec meeting where the head person gets up and says, "When I tell you that my inbred idjit programming director makes me look like an inbred idjit child... I hope you understand the full meaning of what I say... "

11thHour

__________________________________________________________

"Doing the impossible makes us mighty." - Malcolm Reynolds

KAI

Wednesday, February 18, 2004 7:29 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by SerenityNow:
It's whimsical, not a petty form of evil.

Shows like "The Osbournes" or My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiancee" aren't what I'd call whimsical.

Hell, even before the "Reality" T.V. craze, we had things like "World's Worst Car Wrecks" and "When Animals Attack IV". Yeah, that sounds like a hoot. Instant classic, that. Fun for the whole family.

LTNOWIS

Wednesday, February 18, 2004 12:12 PM

I always liked "World's Wildest Police Videos", but they cancelled that too. It had awesome dialogue like "It's a disaster waiting to explode." Plus, it was about jusice, instead of tricking people. Actually, it was about car chases. But at least it was entertaining.

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