# "Irrational" reasons for not watching a TV series **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 25, 2007, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/irrational-reasons-for-not-watching-a-tv-series/389403 "2007-01-25T14:12:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Ronald\_C.Semone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/cc9497/32.png) [@Ronald\_C.Semone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ronald_C.Semone)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2007, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/irrational-reasons-for-not-watching-a-tv-series/389403/81 "2007-01-28T00:07:57Z")
[QUOTE=jsgoddess] Are you watching “Supernatural”? Monsters! Ghosts! An old Impala! Classic rock! Cheesy hotel rooms! Woo! [/QUOTE] Yes, but the heroes often walk around without shaving so it fails the irrational criterion I mentioned in the original posting! ---
**Author:** ![Jodi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7feea3/32.png) [@Jodi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jodi)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2007, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/irrational-reasons-for-not-watching-a-tv-series/389403/82 "2007-01-28T02:14:01Z")
Oh, one more, though it’s more to do with movies than TV: I won’t watch movies or shows with evil children – and I don’t mean like “this is a naughty, mixed-up kid,” I mean Damien-type, murderous bad seed from-the-devil. The whole idea of an “evil child” offends me. ---
**Author:** ![mamboman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecb155/32.png) [@mamboman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mamboman)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2007, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/irrational-reasons-for-not-watching-a-tv-series/389403/83 "2007-01-28T03:33:55Z")
For many years I refused to watch “Frasier” because TV1 took off “Mad About You” in order to show it. As for the poster who refused to watch “Crossing Jordan”, your point is well taken. I actually refused to watch that show when it became to painful for me to watch the crumbling decay of Jill Hennessey’s once precious beauty. mm ---
**Author:** ![Ronald\_C.Semone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/cc9497/32.png) [@Ronald\_C.Semone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ronald_C.Semone)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2007, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/irrational-reasons-for-not-watching-a-tv-series/389403/84 "2007-01-28T03:52:54Z")
[QUOTE=Ronald C. Semone] Yes, but the heroes often walk around without shaving so it fails the irrational criterion I mentioned in the original posting! [/QUOTE] I meant “Yes, it has all those things” not “Yes, I watch it.” ---
**Author:** ![Tikki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5daacb/32.png) [@Tikki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tikki)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2007, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/irrational-reasons-for-not-watching-a-tv-series/389403/85 "2007-01-28T04:11:05Z")
This reason is really irrational: I won’t watch certain shows because I really like them. I’m sort of saving them for later. I find _My Name is Earl_ hilarious but I rarely watch it. The closest I can describe what I mean is it’s sort of like saving the best part of your meal for last so you can savor it. Only it doesn’t really work as well for television because shows can get cancelled and not go into reruns. Still, I find myself doing it anyway. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2007, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/irrational-reasons-for-not-watching-a-tv-series/389403/86 "2007-01-28T04:15:56Z")
[QUOTE=Ronald C. Semone] Yes, but the heroes often walk around without shaving so it fails the irrational criterion I mentioned in the original posting! [/QUOTE] They do? Huh. I must be blinded by all the pretty. ---
**Author:** ![Crawlspace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Crawlspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crawlspace)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2007, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/irrational-reasons-for-not-watching-a-tv-series/389403/87 "2007-01-28T04:36:49Z")
I don’t watch \*CSI \*because there are too many of them. I’m not afraid of having to get caught up or confusing plot lines - I just feel that the big wigs at NBC or CBS or where ever are trying to sucker me into something and I’m not going to have any part of it. Same goes for _Law and Order_ and _Star Trek_. ---
**Author:** ![DWMarch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwmarch/32/1010_2.png) [@DWMarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DWMarch)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2007, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/irrational-reasons-for-not-watching-a-tv-series/389403/88 "2007-01-28T07:13:37Z")
I won’t watch _Grey’s Anatomy_ for purely irrational reasons. You see, a few years ago Patrick Dempsey had a three-episode run as a defendant on _The Practice_. He was playing a dentist, so he was all dressed up in a doctor-like manner. And his role was great. He was rescued from the mediocrity his career had been languishing in since the 80’s. And as a result, he ends up getting cast as the lead in _Grey’s Anatomy_. Around the same time, _The Practice_ has spun off into _Boston Legal_. Denny Crane’s law firm is kicking ass and taking names all over Massachusetts… for all of 17 episodes. At which point _Grey’s Anatomy_ comes along and unceremoniously pushes BL right off the schedule. This is right near the end of BL’s season 1, which is building to something pretty spectacular if BL 1x17 _Death Be Not Proud_ is any indication. So BL drops off the schedule, plotlines get utterly destroyed and two good actresses leave (Kerry Washington, playing Chelina and Monica Potter playing Lori Coulson). Going from season 1 of BL to season 2, I wondered if I was watching the same show. So basically, David E. Kelly rescues Patrick Dempsey’s career from Hollywood’s eternal toilet and his reward is to have his new show flushed mid season. Thanks Patrick, much appreciated. ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2007, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/irrational-reasons-for-not-watching-a-tv-series/389403/89 "2007-01-28T11:28:21Z")
I’m wary as hell of starting in on a new anime series…in case it’s _too_ good. Let me clarify; that it’ll be so great that I’ll get wrapped up in it, follow it as it comes out agonizingly slowly on TV or DVD, possibly over the course of a year…and then everything goes to hell in the last few episodes. Love doesn’t win out, the Joker got away, the cool guys and/or Fry’s dog die, and likely the universe implodes in some badly-translated metaphysical paradox. _Aaagh._ Gee, I’m _real_ glad I invested my escapism time in _that._ The worst part is…it’s usually still a good series. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![kittenblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ba8739/32.png) [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2007, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/irrational-reasons-for-not-watching-a-tv-series/389403/90 "2007-01-28T13:37:31Z")
My reason for not watching Men In Trees? I can’t stand Anne Heche’s hair. It’s too flat on top and greasy looking. If that’s not irrational, I don’t know what is. I also just don’t like Anne Heche, but at a coworker’s urging I was willing to put that aside to watch for the other characters. Once. Then the hair just tipped me over the edge. ---
**Author:** ![Gr8Kat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gr8kat/32/18668_2.png) [@Gr8Kat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gr8Kat)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2007, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/irrational-reasons-for-not-watching-a-tv-series/389403/91 "2007-01-28T21:02:33Z")
[QUOTE=Ranchoth] I’m wary as hell of starting in on a new anime series…in case it’s _too_ good. Let me clarify; that it’ll be so great that I’ll get wrapped up in it, follow it as it comes out agonizingly slowly on TV or DVD, possibly over the course of a year…and then everything goes to hell in the last few episodes. Love doesn’t win out, the Joker got away, the cool guys and/or Fry’s dog die, and likely the universe implodes in some badly-translated metaphysical paradox. _Aaagh._ Gee, I’m _real_ glad I invested my escapism time in _that._ The worst part is…it’s usually still a good series. ☹ [/QUOTE] Oh man, I agree! Anime is fearless about killing off the hero, or even the entire cast! I can name a few series that left me feeling pretty emotionally-wrecked afterward. As much as I hate spoilers, there are a few times when maybe I’d’ve liked to’ve known everyone was going die, so I’d know better than to get emotionally involved, or to not even watch the show to begin with. Then again, maybe it’s a good thing. Think about the snarky comments people have made about series like _24_ where there’s no doubt Jack Bauer is going to come out alive, so there’s no real sense of impending danger. But with anime, all bets are off. So enjoy the thrill, just be prepared to feel like crap when the hero dies and the earth is destroyed, the end. ---
**Author:** ![Lust4Life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecc23a/32.png) [@Lust4Life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lust4Life)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2007, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/irrational-reasons-for-not-watching-a-tv-series/389403/92 "2007-01-28T22:32:17Z")
I just wont watch documentaries where the editing and camera shots are used to make the programme(Brit spelling) more “interesting” by weird camera angles,sudden zooms for no apparent reason,extreme irrelevant closeups and fast cutting,often accompanied by buzzing and beeps,the effect of which is to obscure the very things they’re supposed to be showing us. I wont watch reality programmes where members of the public of different tempereraments,backgrounds etc. are put together with the deliberate intention of manufacturing arguments between them (Wife Swop,Coachtripand the like) and the “cast” knowing this play up to the cameras. What sort of person would want to appear on this sort of series ? And what sort of people gain pleasure from watching public squabbles on what would normally be private matters. I dont watch soaps for the reason a previous poster made,real life and people are all around us and are just as entertaining. ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2007, 9:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/irrational-reasons-for-not-watching-a-tv-series/389403/93 "2007-01-29T09:00:10Z")
[QUOTE=Gr8Kat] Think about the snarky comments people have made about series like _24_ where there’s no doubt Jack Bauer is going to come out alive, so there’s no real sense of impending danger. [/QUOTE] Ironic that you should mention **24** , which is one of the few major shows where fairly major characters (other than Jack himself) CAN die, and where seriously bad things that the heroes our trying to prevent sometimes still do happen. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2007, 10:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/irrational-reasons-for-not-watching-a-tv-series/389403/94 "2007-01-29T10:08:23Z")
I wouldn’t watch Arrested Development during firstrun because of how annoying I found the sanctimonious fans. It was a serious case of a collective superiority complex run amuck. I found them so over-the-top annoying that when the show was finally cancelled, it made my day. Now I’ve been catching up from the beginning on the G4 syndicated run. While it’s clever and endearing, I don’t detect even the faintest whiff of genius. Smug self-satisfaction in spades, though, which helps to explain the fanatics’ attitude. I definitely look forward to each new day’s episodes, but I won’t feel one iota of regret when it’s done. ---
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2007, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/irrational-reasons-for-not-watching-a-tv-series/389403/95 "2007-01-29T12:27:32Z")
I won’t watch TV shows about how awful working in an office is. I have a friend who’s a big fan of the British version of “The Office” (he might like the American version, too, but this was before that was made) and he tried to get me to rent it on DVD because it reminded him of my complaints about my office. I don’t understand this logic. When I’m not at work, I don’t want to think about work! Honestly, the very idea makes me cringe. Except now I like my (non-office) job, so maybe I would consider watching it. Maybe in a few years, when I can think about my ex-job without my skin crawling. ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2007, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/irrational-reasons-for-not-watching-a-tv-series/389403/96 "2007-01-29T13:35:10Z")
I won’t watch: Anything involving spoilt rich kids “Reality” TV Many shows which are excessively popular- I’m talking _Buffy The Vampire Slayer/Lost/Desperate Housewives_ etc here. That doesn’t mean I _hate_ the shows, just that I don’t enjoy them. The more rabid and fringe-dwelling the fans, however (_Will Mr. Joss Whedon please report to reception? Mr. Whedon, please report to reception, thank you…_), the less likely I am to even watch the show. As others have said, there’s something a little… herdish- or just plan odd- about getting that involved in a TV show. Crime or Hospital Dramas Shows in which English people make over each other’s houses, totally different families swap wives (the only Wife Swapping I want to see should ideally be at a party after a few drinks 😉 ), or involving people (not conventional actors) generally being nasty to each other over the chance to win a new car or a house or what have you. Anime- most of it is just too weird for me to follow. Most shows made in Australia or New Zealand. Sorry guys, you’re going to have to start doing better than Hospital/Cop Dramas, shows about the Motorway Patrol in Auckland (of no real interest to anyone outside Auckland, much less New Zealand), or game shows ripped off from overseas. Make a decent fucking SitCom, for Smeg’s sake! Life Support and The Late Shift were/are great shows, but besides that Australian comedy is sadly lacking on TV… ---
**Author:** ![williamweigand](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b3f665/32.png) [@williamweigand](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/williamweigand)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2007, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/irrational-reasons-for-not-watching-a-tv-series/389403/97 "2007-01-29T14:37:29Z")
I started watching Arrested Development from the beginning, but got really annoyed by Jason Bateman’s narration - especially when he referred to his character in the third person. By time I found out that it was “Opie Cunningham” narrrating instead, it was too late to bother going back to it. Gilmour Girls seems to be popular but I HATED Lauren Graham’s character in Newsradio and therefore can’t take watching her in anything else. ---
**Author:** ![Dante](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dante/32/9673_2.png) [@Dante](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dante)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2007, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/irrational-reasons-for-not-watching-a-tv-series/389403/98 "2007-01-29T15:16:02Z")
[QUOTE=TV time] My father would not watch any show that tried to make war fun ( **McHale’s Navy, Hogan’s Heros** {especially **Hogan’s Heros** }) because he felt they demeaned what he went through. He also refused to watch any of the more accurate war portrayals like **Band of Brothers**. "I went through it in real life, why do I want to watch it in television life? [/QUOTE] Huh. My grandfather was in a Nazi POW camp, tunneled out, got shot and recaptured at a train station, and spent the rest of the war in the camp. He LOVED **Hogan’s Heroes**. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2007, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/irrational-reasons-for-not-watching-a-tv-series/389403/99 "2007-01-29T19:37:03Z")
[QUOTE=Madd Maxx] I used to watch, and like, My Name is Earl. But once I found out Jason Lee is a Scientologist, I just can’t bring myself to watch it any more. Same thing with Tom Cruise movies. [/QUOTE] No, god no! AAAAA! My irrational reasons often have to do with the titles: Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Didn’t watch that for years because it had such a stupid girly title. Once I accidentally started watching the 4th season though I got hooked. Everybody Loves Raymond: Don’t tell me who to love. Law & Order \: There’s too damn many of those shows. Veronica Mars: What is the show about? The title means nothing (unless she’s from Mars.) Scarborough Country: Another nonsensical title. I know it’s a news commentary type show, but who is Scarborough and why is it his country? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/irrational-reasons-for-not-watching-a-tv-series/389403.md?page=4)