Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Masochism TV : Why do we keep watching unpleasant shows?
National Review ^ | 02/27/2014 | James Lileks

Posted on 02/27/2014 4:30:06 AM PST by SeekAndFind

click here to read article


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-22 next last

1 posted on 02/27/2014 4:30:07 AM PST by SeekAndFind
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

The good thing about these type of shows (and all reality type shows) is it broke me of my addiction to TV.

I am a child of television. Back when broadcast were limited to about 16 hours a day (the day ending with the National Anthem and a test pattern) with only three channels to choose from. A time when at least the message on television was of hope, and good does triumph over evil. A time when for the most part families consisted of a mother, father and children, and the children were while not perfect were respectful of their elders.

None of that is true today. What is being shown on television is changing our nation. (Simple point. If what is shown on television did not have an effect on people, why do businesses spend billions of dollars are advertising?)

Of course television has had an effect on our nation.

Today, with 700 channels, 24/7 there is almost nothing on I want to watch.

So while there may be three TVs in our home, they are not used much anymore. Thank you Hollywood for breaking my TV habits, I think I enjoy my life more more now.


2 posted on 02/27/2014 4:47:17 AM PST by CIB-173RDABN (I do not doubt that our climate changes. I only doubt that anything man does has any effect.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

TV? Who watches that stuff? There are still books to read, right?


3 posted on 02/27/2014 4:50:51 AM PST by Little Ray (How did I end up in this hand-basket, and why is it getting so hot?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

I don't.

4 posted on 02/27/2014 4:55:57 AM PST by tomkat (3%+1)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

Why? I don’t . I haven’t paid much attention to any television (sports included) in 23 years. That is right about the time I purchased my first PC. My wife and children, they still watch regularly. (I must say that True Detective has very recently caught my attention. MM is outstanding as is the dialogue with WH who is also very good…along with the actress who portrays his wife. I don’t know if I’ll watch every episode. I don’t even know why it caught my attention.)

Television - I have not missed it at all. The “programming” is disgusting.


5 posted on 02/27/2014 5:05:17 AM PST by PGalt
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

I don’t watch unpleasant shows. Real life is about all I can take.


6 posted on 02/27/2014 5:09:06 AM PST by Tax-chick (I've forgotten most of those languages, but I remember the joke.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: CIB-173RDABN

I am always amazed when a show with 10 million viewers and people act as if everyone watches


7 posted on 02/27/2014 5:12:14 AM PST by GeronL (Vote for Conservatives not for Republicans!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: GeronL

I remember seeing a few episodes of the original BBC series “House of Cards.” Didn’t really get into it, though.


8 posted on 02/27/2014 5:16:34 AM PST by Tax-chick (I've forgotten most of those languages, but I remember the joke.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

My tv is either on MLB Channel, TCM, UP Channel, or RFDTv. when it is on. I haven’t watched a network tv show in over 20 years. I also will not watch the latest “greatest show on tv” mini series about zombies, dirt bag meth cooks, bikers, poilticians, or any other loser.


9 posted on 02/27/2014 5:30:57 AM PST by Resolute Conservative
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Tax-chick; All

“I don’t watch unpleasant shows. Real life is about all I can take.”

I agree! Give me an old Miss Marple mystery or even an old Perry Mason ‘Made-for-TV-Movie’ (remember those?) and I’m happy. Cooking shows send me to the Moon!

I don’t have cable/dish so co-workers are always trying to get me to rent/borrow and watch this or that gory series...and then they WONDER how I have time to read, bake, garden, sew, crochet, remodel my house, etc.

LOL! Dorks.


10 posted on 02/27/2014 5:45:54 AM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

I don’t watch most of the garbage that is put on the TV screen.

TV producers are fascinated with people being rotten to other people. It’s the main theme of most shows. They go out of their way to search for and find examples of the lowest kind of human behavior.

There is little difference between the “news” and the shows. Both seek out and promote interest in anger, strife, mayhem, injury and murder.

The “news”: fire, blood, accidents, rape, shooting, robbery, scandals.

The “who’s your daddy” shows were the last straw. Promoting and glorifying the condemnation of children to a life without a normal set of parents, in order to sell trial lawyers’ services.


11 posted on 02/27/2014 5:56:28 AM PST by I want the USA back (Media: completely irresponsible traitors. Complicit in the destruction of our country.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind; Slings and Arrows
I couldn't watch more than 2 episodes of Breaking Bad. Too dark/intense.

This, on the other hand...

12 posted on 02/27/2014 6:16:52 AM PST by martin_fierro (< |:)~)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

I’m down to NCIS, Arrow, and Downton Abbey; waiting for return of Warehouse 13. Do watch the odd episode of Man vs Food and Diners, Drive ins, & Dives


13 posted on 02/27/2014 6:17:51 AM PST by GreyFriar (Spearhead - 3rd Armored Division 75-78 & 83-87)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Diana in Wisconsin

Last night, I watched a 1942 movie starring a teenaged Shirley Temple. Cute show, but badly colorized: her teeth were blue half the time!


14 posted on 02/27/2014 6:33:25 AM PST by Tax-chick (I've forgotten most of those languages, but I remember the joke.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind
For me its Mythbusters, Justified, and pretty much anything that's on TCM.

Now that Discovery, History, Nat Geo, Animal Planet have pretty much gone "all redneck, all the time", I'm just about ready to cut the cord.

15 posted on 02/27/2014 6:35:08 AM PST by Eric Pode of Croydon
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

Gosh reading all the posts so far, it appears I am the only one that watches TV. I saw both seasons of House of Cards and it is great. Well thank goodness we all have different interests.


16 posted on 02/27/2014 6:36:49 AM PST by napscoordinator ( Santorum-Bachmann 2016 for the future of the country!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind
everyone’s watched House of Cards by now, right?

Nope.

17 posted on 02/27/2014 6:53:26 AM PST by BenLurkin (This is not a statement of fact. It is either opinion or satire; or both.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

I’ve never watched either of these shows.


18 posted on 02/27/2014 6:55:11 AM PST by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: napscoordinator

Vikings is dark but entertaining.


19 posted on 02/27/2014 6:56:20 AM PST by BenLurkin (This is not a statement of fact. It is either opinion or satire; or both.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: martin_fierro

We tried to watch “Breaking Bad”, but it was depressing.


20 posted on 02/27/2014 6:56:42 AM PST by trisham (Zen is not easy. It takes effort to attain nothingness. And then what do you have? Bupkis.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-22 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson