# TV Shows that are very popular that you HATE **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 13, 2006, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-that-are-very-popular-that-you-hate/383901 "2006-12-13T01:06:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Dunderman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecb155/32.png) [@Dunderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunderman)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2006, 11:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-that-are-very-popular-that-you-hate/383901/21 "2006-12-13T11:08:42Z")
[QUOTE=TheFury] Everybody loves Raymond is SO annoying. [/QUOTE] But does _anyone_ actually love that show, though? I mean, if I feel the need to veg out and nothing else is on, I’ll watch it. On occasion, I’ll even laugh. But I doubt there are any rabid _Everybody Loves Raymond_ fans out there. Then again, if I didn’t know better, I’d doubt there were rabid _Seinfeld_ fans too. I’ve seen DVD boxes of _Everybody Loves Raymond_ for sale. Come on, who in the world buys those? Who loves that little million-in-a-million show so much that they feel the need to own all the episodes? That boggles my mind. ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2006, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-that-are-very-popular-that-you-hate/383901/22 "2006-12-13T11:29:13Z")
Since it’s pretty easy over here to avoid American shows that don’t appeal to me (although I agree with **madmonk28** on _24_), I’ll go with one of the local shows that pissed me off to no end. _Koko ga Hendayo Nihonjin_ (Hey Japanese, this is weird!). The premise of the show (which ran in the late 90’s) was interesting: 100 foreigners living in Japan, fluent in Japanese and representing a cross-section of the world’s nations, would debate different issues of Japanese society like a mini-UN. After the first couple of shows the producers tossed that idea and tried to make it a Jerry Springer clone that played up every ethnic stereotype there is, the foremost one being that non-Japanese are all violent-tempered lunatics who will never fit in. My current boss was a panelist for a few months, and tells stories of how the directors would yell at him for disagreeing with the other American (they wanted all the disagreements to be split along ‘us vs them’ country lines), and how people who didn’t throw telegenic tantrums weren’t invited back. Even if I never watched it, the show’s very existence pissed me off. Here I was trying to get along with the community and make it the place I build my home, family and career, all my neighbors and their kids are watching the Dancing Monkey Minstrel Hour. ---
**Author:** ![merrily](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@merrily](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/merrily)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2006, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-that-are-very-popular-that-you-hate/383901/23 "2006-12-13T11:54:09Z")
[QUOTE=madmonk28] I can’t stand 24, it just seems to me to be right wing torture porn wish fulfillment . [/QUOTE] Great. I"ve been avoiding it, and now you make me want to watch it. I think I can ignore the right wing part. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Arky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2006, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-that-are-very-popular-that-you-hate/383901/24 "2006-12-13T13:19:13Z")
I can’t really think of any popular TV shows that I _don’t_ hate. Can’t stand cop shows, Dr. shows, reality shows, talent shows, shows where people are mean to each other, stressful, overly glib, work-related dramas, cartoons and sitcoms all fail to entertain me. I don’t really like acting, actors, screenplays, movies or anything. The whole shebang simply does not interest me in the least. I don’t watch much TV, natch. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2006, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-that-are-very-popular-that-you-hate/383901/25 "2006-12-13T14:40:17Z")
**The Apprentice** Okay, so maybe I bought into the premise the first season. Find a group of buisness savy people from different backgrounds (street smarts, book smarts, etc.) and have them compete in various business/leadership/planning projects to determine who is most qualified to run one of Trumps businesses. Now the show is so utterly transparent as nothing more than a reality TV gameshow it’s really sad. They find players in much the same way MTV finds cast members for the Real World, who’s going to be the most dramtic-confrontational-controversial-rude-backstabbing person to stick in front of the camera. Then they give them pointless tasks like who can sell the most pies, who can decorate the prettiest x-mas tree, etc. And the winner gets to be a public relations “face” for one of Trumps projects for a year. ---
**Author:** ![mr.jp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/48db29/32.png) [@mr.jp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mr.jp)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2006, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-that-are-very-popular-that-you-hate/383901/26 "2006-12-13T15:06:30Z")
Every show with a laugh track, except Seinfeld, sucks. ---
**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:** [December 13, 2006, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-that-are-very-popular-that-you-hate/383901/27 "2006-12-13T15:10:45Z")
I loved _Seinfeld_ when it was first run. My wife now watches the re-runs, and I’ve really come to hate almost everything about it. Unsurprisingly, I also hate _Curb Your Enthusiasm_. ---
**Author:** ![Autumn\_Almanac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d26b3c/32.png) [@Autumn\_Almanac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autumn_Almanac)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2006, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-that-are-very-popular-that-you-hate/383901/28 "2006-12-13T15:21:52Z")
_Two and a Half Men_, _Everybody Loves Raymond_, and especially _Malcolm in the Middle_. Modern sitcoms are so garish and LOUD. The characters don’t speak, they shout and screech, constantly. It gives me a headache. ---
**Author:** ![Gadarene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Gadarene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gadarene)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2006, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-that-are-very-popular-that-you-hate/383901/29 "2006-12-13T15:25:55Z")
**Patty O’Furniture:** > [@](#): > > Hugh Laurie (unkempt drunkard jerk) Wow. Do you mean Hugh Laurie, or House? Because I’ve never seen or heard anything to indicate that Laurie himself is an unkempt drunkard jerk, and I’ve been watching him since his sketch comedy days with Stephen Fry. And to answer the OP, I think Lost is ludicrously badly written and interminably paced, plotted, and arced. I’ve also never, ever, ever seen the redeeming qualities of Desperate Housewives. Soap opera piffle. (Although I do love me some Felicity Huffman.) ---
**Author:** ![UncleRojelio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/unclerojelio/32/3160_2.png) [@UncleRojelio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleRojelio)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2006, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-that-are-very-popular-that-you-hate/383901/30 "2006-12-13T15:41:11Z")
I hate anything on TV that purports itself to be “reality programming”. I just can get past the feeling of being scammed. I believe that nothing gets put on prime time TV that is not precisely scripted and exactly produced. Other shows I can’t sit still for are _24_, _Grey’s Anatomy_, and _Desparate Housewives_. I’ve been a fan of _Lost_ up until this fall but I’m fixin’ to bail on it. ---
**Author:** ![scareyfaerie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scareyfaerie/32/3135_2.png) [@scareyfaerie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scareyfaerie)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2006, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-that-are-very-popular-that-you-hate/383901/31 "2006-12-13T15:48:05Z")
Seinfeld. I can’t find anything remotely amusing about it, it hurts my eyes to watch it. And reality tv shows, they’re the stuff that nightmares are made of. ---
**Author:** ![yellowval](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/919ad9/32.png) [@yellowval](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellowval)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2006, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-that-are-very-popular-that-you-hate/383901/32 "2006-12-13T16:00:03Z")
I have quite a few: Grey’s Anatomy, House, Survivor, Desperate Housewives, Deal or No Deal (does it really have to be on every night?), 24, Will & Grace. These days it’s difficult for me to get into anything on regular network TV. HBO and Showtime have spoiled me with excellent shows that I can watch on-demand with no commercials. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2006, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-that-are-very-popular-that-you-hate/383901/33 "2006-12-13T16:00:07Z")
Almost everything. The shows that were somewhat watchable have either jumped the shark long ago (looking at YOU, ER), or have morphed into a nearly nightly variation on a theme (you too, Law & Order and CSI). The current crop of dumber than dumb “game” shows assault us nightly. About the only things I can stand to watch is **The Office** and The **Dog Whisperer**. **Scrubs** started out funny, went to amusing, and is now just repetitively annoying. Same with **Earl**. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2006, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-that-are-very-popular-that-you-hate/383901/34 "2006-12-13T16:02:41Z")
Nancy Grace. That lawyer or prosecutor or whatever. I just want to slap her ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2006, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-that-are-very-popular-that-you-hate/383901/35 "2006-12-13T16:16:47Z")
[QUOTE=Priceguy] But does _anyone_ actually love that show, though? I mean, if I feel the need to veg out and nothing else is on, I’ll watch it. On occasion, I’ll even laugh. But I doubt there are any rabid _Everybody Loves Raymond_ fans out there. [/QUOTE] My mom and grandmother really like the show. I don’t love it, but I don’t hate it either…I think Ray’s parents and brother are amusing. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2006, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-that-are-very-popular-that-you-hate/383901/36 "2006-12-13T16:59:54Z")
Speaking of Everybody Loves Raymond, [Peter Boyle just passed away](http://wcbstv.com/topstories/topstories_story_347112437.html). ---
**Author:** ![Infovore](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infovore/32/420_2.png) [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2006, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-that-are-very-popular-that-you-hate/383901/37 "2006-12-13T17:05:15Z")
_Seinfeld_, _Friends_, and _Cheers_. All three are unwatchable for me. I can’t even comprehend what people see in them. (Oddly, though I can’t stand _Cheers_, I love _Frasier_.) ---
**Author:** ![Caridwen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c89c15/32.png) [@Caridwen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caridwen)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2006, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-that-are-very-popular-that-you-hate/383901/38 "2006-12-13T17:07:31Z")
It’s easier to say what I like. I hate reality shows, medical shows, and comedies. Except for the shows on HBO, the only things I watch at the moment are HGTV, 24, Top Chef. Sometimes I watch the reruns of CSI on the A&E channel and golf. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2006, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-that-are-very-popular-that-you-hate/383901/39 "2006-12-13T17:10:19Z")
[QUOTE=mr. jp] Every show with a laugh track, except Seinfeld, sucks. [/QUOTE] I was going to say this exact same thing. It’s too bad they couldn’t go without a laugh track on Seinfeld, so we could have a clear record. When Friends first came on when I was a kid, it seemed like okay sitcom stuff, but over the years I’ve grown to hate it. Overprivlidged yuppies that have life crises every week over stupid stuff. I guess there’s a vague similarity to Seinfeld there, but Seinfeld knew the characters were mostly unlikable and played well to that - the cast of Friends are supposed to be likable, from what I can tell. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2006, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-that-are-very-popular-that-you-hate/383901/40 "2006-12-13T17:27:41Z")
[QUOTE=Quiddity Glomfuster] Shows I hate(d) - I’d say \*Seinfeld \*was number one. Stupid, annoying, mean whiny people getting their panties in a twist about stupid, annoying things. [/QUOTE] Quite right. I only caught a few episodes, mostly because someone else was watching, and laughed just once–at something Kramer did. I never got the popularity of “Sledge Hammer”, either. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-that-are-very-popular-that-you-hate/383901.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tv-shows-that-are-very-popular-that-you-hate/383901.md?page=3)