# Popular shows you've never seen an episode of. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 5, 2011, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-shows-youve-never-seen-an-episode-of/591607 "2011-08-05T16:07:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2011, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-shows-youve-never-seen-an-episode-of/591607/21 "2011-08-05T18:29:01Z")
American Idol Andromeda Babylon 5 Battlestar Galactica Baywatch The Big Bang Theory Big Brother Boardwalk Empire Breaking Bad Buffy the Vampire Slayer Californication Carnivale Curb Your Enthusiasm Dancing With the Stars Dexter Entourage Eureka Everybody Loves Raymond Extras Flash Forward Flight of the Conchords Friday Night Lights The Ghost Whisperer Generation Kill G.I. Joe Gilmore Girls Glee The Good Wife How I Met Your Mother JAG Jersey Shore King of Queens Mad Men Medium The Office Sex and the City Six Feet Under So You Think You Can Dance Space: Above and Beyond Sports Night Thirtysomething Transformers The Tudors 24 Two and a Half Men United States of Tara V The Vampire Diaries The Wire I really need to watch more TV. Various reasons for this. I used to work in the evenings so I was mostly at work when shows were being broadcast. I generally haven’t had HBO or Showtime and I sometimes haven’t had cable. I don’t like starting on a show with long story arcs unless I feel I’m going to be able to watch the whole series. And some shows just don’t look like something I’d be interested in. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2011, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-shows-youve-never-seen-an-episode-of/591607/22 "2011-08-05T18:37:31Z")
I’ve never seen an episode of _ **Breaking Bad** _, or _ **The Wire** _, or _ **Mad Men** _, or any of the _ **Housewives of Wherever** _ shows. ---
**Author:** ![wei\_ji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9a140/32.png) [@wei\_ji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wei_ji)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2011, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-shows-youve-never-seen-an-episode-of/591607/23 "2011-08-05T18:37:53Z")
I took the advice of the Left many years ago (a rare event) to “Shoot Your Television,” so I’ve “missed” all of the shows listed by your contributors here. I think “Dallas” is the one which got the most response by TV users, who were appalled when I told them I hadn’t a clue who “JR” was nor did I care who shot him. Yes, I know this sounds elitist, snooty, if you prefer, but when I listen to someone talking about their favorite “show” it sounds like gossip I used to hear as I was growing up (“Have you heard? Abbie Jane has had another breakdown”). When you read savvy media references to various TV cultural figures and plot issues, as though these matter or rise to the level of cultural literacy and substance, you see how empty it is. Television is the most destructive and failed of all “modern” technologies. It had potential if handled carefully, but like a painkilling drug it was abused, became addictive, and demeans its victims. Today it’s circuses without even the benefit of bread. Yes, the net is better: at least you have enough variety to decide for yourself what to consume: It’s not like eating at Joe’s Diner every night, where the daily special is a big deal. Someday, far in the future, where perspective is to be had, someone will write a fine book about the failure of television. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2011, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-shows-youve-never-seen-an-episode-of/591607/24 "2011-08-05T18:39:07Z")
Too many to mention. I have occasionally caught a few minutes of Vampire Diaries. Is it really as bad all the way though as it is in the first few minutes? It seems, among other things, way overscored. ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2011, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-shows-youve-never-seen-an-episode-of/591607/25 "2011-08-05T18:57:33Z")
> [@wei\_ji](#): > > I took the advice of the Left many years ago (a rare event) to “Shoot Your Television,” so I’ve “missed” all of the shows listed by your contributors here. I think “Dallas” is the one which got the most response by TV users, who were appalled when I told them I hadn’t a clue who “JR” was nor did I care who shot him. Yes, I know this sounds elitist, snooty, if you prefer, but when I listen to someone talking about their favorite “show” it sounds like gossip I used to hear as I was growing up (“Have you heard? Abbie Jane has had another breakdown”). > > When you read savvy media references to various TV cultural figures and plot issues, as though these matter or rise to the level of cultural literacy and substance, you see how empty it is. Television is the most destructive and failed of all “modern” technologies. It had potential if handled carefully, but like a painkilling drug it was abused, became addictive, and demeans its victims. Today it’s circuses without even the benefit of bread. Yes, the net is better: at least you have enough variety to decide for yourself what to consume: It’s not like eating at Joe’s Diner every night, where the daily special is a big deal. > > Someday, far in the future, where perspective is to be had, someone will write a fine book about the failure of television. Well done on being more enlightened than everyone else. > [@Rhiannon8404](#): > > I’ve never watched an episode of _The Simpsons_. That _is_ unusual. I’ve never seen a single episode of most reality shows. I’ve seen two episodes of Britain’s Got Talent, and they were quite enjoyable, but the rest have passed me by. I think of them more as something to watch with friends or family, all commenting on the acts, rather than as a show just to watch, and my friends don’t want to watch them so I don’t watch them either. I’ve still not got round to watching The Wire or Supernatural, both of which are big among people who like the other shows I like. ---
**Author:** ![SpartanDC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b2d939/32.png) [@SpartanDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpartanDC)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2011, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-shows-youve-never-seen-an-episode-of/591607/26 "2011-08-05T19:02:26Z")
> [@wei\_ji](#): > > Television is the most destructive and failed of all “modern” technologies. It had potential if handled carefully, but like a painkilling drug it was abused, became addictive, and demeans its victims. Today it’s circuses without even the benefit of bread. Yes, the net is better: at least you have enough variety to decide for yourself what to consume: It’s not like eating at Joe’s Diner every night, where the daily special is a big deal. > > Someday, far in the future, where perspective is to be had, someone will write a fine book about the failure of television. Is this trolling? If so, 10/10. Well done. ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2011, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-shows-youve-never-seen-an-episode-of/591607/27 "2011-08-05T19:37:00Z")
Lots. I have seen most of the original episodes of _Star Trek_, but I have never seen any of the reincarnations. Never seen _Dancing with the Stars_. _Firefly_ and _Dr Who_ are popular here, never seen them. ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2011, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-shows-youve-never-seen-an-episode-of/591607/28 "2011-08-05T20:26:00Z")
_Law & Order_. Any of its incarnations. And I think that accounts for about 2/3 of all scripted television produced in the last two decades. Also _House_. I’m sure there are lots of others, but those are probably the two most popular shows that I’ve never even checked out once. (Unless you count all the Jersey Kardashian Housewife junk, which I don’t.) ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2011, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-shows-youve-never-seen-an-episode-of/591607/29 "2011-08-05T20:33:05Z")
> [@wei\_ji](#): > > Television is the most destructive and failed of all “modern” technologies. Please open a new thread if you want to discuss what’s wrong with television. This discussion is about popular TV shows people haven’t seen. > [@SpartanDC](#): > > Is this trolling? If so, 10/10. Well done. Accusations of trolling aren’t allowed in this forum. Don’t do this again. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2011, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-shows-youve-never-seen-an-episode-of/591607/30 "2011-08-05T21:25:02Z")
> [@wei\_ji](#): > > I took the advice of the Left many years ago (a rare event) to “Shoot Your Television,” so I’ve “missed” all of the shows listed by your contributors here. I think “Dallas” is the one which got the most response by TV users, who were appalled when I told them I hadn’t a clue who “JR” was nor did I care who shot him. Yes, I know this sounds elitist, snooty, if you prefer, but when I listen to someone talking about their favorite “show” it sounds like gossip I used to hear as I was growing up (“Have you heard? Abbie Jane has had another breakdown”). > > When you read savvy media references to various TV cultural figures and plot issues, as though these matter or rise to the level of cultural literacy and substance, you see how empty it is. Television is the most destructive and failed of all “modern” technologies. It had potential if handled carefully, but like a painkilling drug it was abused, became addictive, and demeans its victims. Today it’s circuses without even the benefit of bread. Yes, the net is better: at least you have enough variety to decide for yourself what to consume: It’s not like eating at Joe’s Diner every night, where the daily special is a big deal. > > Someday, far in the future, where perspective is to be had, someone will write a fine book about the failure of television. I disagree. Rejecting all television is foolish. Would you reject _Citizen Kane_ because _Freddie Got Fingered_ is a bad movie? Would you reject _A Day in the Life_ because _Friday_ is a bad song? Would you reject _War and Peace_ because _The Da Vinci Code_ is a bad novel? There’s plenty of good television and there’s a lot of great television. Being proud of never watching television is like being proud of never reading a book. ---
**Author:** ![Premislaus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f0a364/32.png) [@Premislaus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Premislaus)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2011, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-shows-youve-never-seen-an-episode-of/591607/31 "2011-08-05T22:07:10Z")
> [@wei\_ji](#): > > I took the advice of the Left many years ago (a rare event) to “Shoot Your Television,” so I’ve “missed” all of the shows listed by your contributors here. I think “Dallas” is the one which got the most response by TV users, who were appalled when I told them I hadn’t a clue who “JR” was nor did I care who shot him. Yes, I know this sounds elitist, snooty, if you prefer, but when I listen to someone talking about their favorite “show” it sounds like gossip I used to hear as I was growing up (“Have you heard? Abbie Jane has had another breakdown”). > > When you read savvy media references to various TV cultural figures and plot issues, as though these matter or rise to the level of cultural literacy and substance, you see how empty it is. Television is the most destructive and failed of all “modern” technologies. It had potential if handled carefully, but like a painkilling drug it was abused, became addictive, and demeans its victims. Today it’s circuses without even the benefit of bread. Yes, the net is better: at least you have enough variety to decide for yourself what to consume: It’s not like eating at Joe’s Diner every night, where the daily special is a big deal. > > Someday, far in the future, where perspective is to be had, someone will write a fine book about the failure of television. How do you know the state of television if you don’t watch it? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![\_mostly\_Harmless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/_/9d8465/32.png) [@\_mostly\_Harmless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/_mostly_Harmless)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2011, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-shows-youve-never-seen-an-episode-of/591607/32 "2011-08-05T22:34:24Z")
I’ve never seen: Friends, Survivor, Lost, or Battlestar Galactica. The last of which I shall be rectifying in the near future. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2011, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-shows-youve-never-seen-an-episode-of/591607/33 "2011-08-05T22:41:38Z")
_CSI_, not even once. Another I’ll add to the list is the soon to debut, _Hillbilly Hand Fishing_. ---
**Author:** ![Shark\_Sandwich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f04885/32.png) [@Shark\_Sandwich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shark_Sandwich)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2011, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-shows-youve-never-seen-an-episode-of/591607/34 "2011-08-05T22:52:59Z")
I mention these in fear of possibly having to turn in my SDMB Club Card. I’ve never seen an entire episode of: _Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Firefly, South Park, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Dr. Who (any version), or…Arrested Development._ In my defense, I’m planning on getting season 1 of AD on DVD. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2011, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-shows-youve-never-seen-an-episode-of/591607/35 "2011-08-05T22:59:49Z")
American Idol Andromeda Babylon 5 Baywatch Big Brother Boardwalk Empire Breaking Bad Buffy the Vampire Slayer Californication Carnivale Curb Your Enthusiasm Dancing With the Stars Dexter Entourage Extras Flash Forward Flight of the Conchords Friday Night Lights The Ghost Whisperer Generation Kill G.I. Joe Gilmore Girls The Good Wife Jersey Shore Mad Men Medium The Office Six Feet Under So You Think You Can Dance Space: Above and Beyond Sports Night Thirtysomething Transformers The Tudors 24 United States of Tara V The Vampire Diaries The Wire Yes, I copied **Little Nemo** ’s list, then eliminated the ones I’ve seen. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2011, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-shows-youve-never-seen-an-episode-of/591607/36 "2011-08-05T23:09:02Z")
In over 20 years all I’ve seen are _Babylon 5_, _Dr. Who_, _Rome_, _Deadwood_, _Sherlock_ and the cartoon _Justice League Unlimited_. I’ve only seen those because my pal loaned me the DVDs. ---
**Author:** ![jabiru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bbce88/32.png) [@jabiru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jabiru)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2011, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-shows-youve-never-seen-an-episode-of/591607/37 "2011-08-05T23:44:27Z")
It’d be an easier task to list the popular shows I _have_ watched. I’m left out of all the television discussions at work because I have no idea what they’re on about. ---
**Author:** ![typoink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@typoink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/typoink)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2011, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-shows-youve-never-seen-an-episode-of/591607/38 "2011-08-05T23:58:16Z")
Almost anything “reality” – I’ve seen bits of some of the “talent” shows (especially Project Runway, which my wife watched), a few episodes of The Osbournes and American Chopper, and have probably seen some of the others on in the background, but that’s pretty much it. As much as I’ve seen, I find reality shows to be a TV equivalent of being yelled at. Just really unpleasant. Most major three-camera sitcoms that started after 2000 or so are also new to me. I never liked the format, and as soon as the single-camera comedies took hold, I never looked back. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2011, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-shows-youve-never-seen-an-episode-of/591607/39 "2011-08-06T00:55:30Z")
A lot of popular TV never got played in my part of the world, so either they’re only available on DVD, or aren’t available at all and just missed out. There are many that I have only seen one episode of but I won’t include them on the list. And of course there are a lot of shows that are considered “okay” that I’ve never seen. I also have certain genres I stay away from just because they have never appealed to me. But of the seriously mega-popular shows that everybody raves about, I have never seen even five minutes of: _Sopranos_ _The Wire_ _Arrested Development_ _The Shield_ _Mad Men_ _The Office_ (UK or US) _Dexter_ ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2011, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-shows-youve-never-seen-an-episode-of/591607/40 "2011-08-06T01:02:21Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > _Sopranos_ > _The Wire_ > _Arrested Development_ > _The Shield_ > _Mad Men_ > _The Office_ (UK or US) > _Dexter_ Get DVDs of the first five anyway and you will have many an hours solid entertainment. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-shows-youve-never-seen-an-episode-of/591607.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/popular-shows-youve-never-seen-an-episode-of/591607.md?page=3)