Appointment Television

I hope everyone had a really good weekend. I did… I attended the 50th birthday party of one of my best friends, drank lots of yummy champagne and hung out with lots of fun people.  I went to bed at 1:30am, which is super late for me and I was dragging most of Sunday. Truly, I didn’t mind. Feeling lazy, I decided to use the day to clear out my DVR. In case there is ever a quiz on me, TV is my all-time, favorite guilty pleasure! I have always loved TV and can define particular moments in my life by what I was watching at the time. Family Affair and Sigmund & the Sea Monsters defined my early childhood (anyone else have a schoolgirl crush on Johnny Whitaker); The Love Boat reminds me of my babysitting days (I couldn’t have been the only one afraid to watch Fantasy Island alone); Knott’s Landing was THE high school show; Days of our Lives was appointment television in the sorority house and so on. I appreciate television for its escapism and I am very rarely surprised by strong feelings about a particular show. That being said, I am about to say something that will shock many of you to the core (and will surely make me very unpopular in certain circles)….

I do not like This Is Us! 

There it is, I said it… I don’t like it. I have tried and tried, yet despite the love I feel for Randall and Beth, I cannot warm up to the show (in fact, it actually bores me). I wanted so desperately to love it, for it to be my new water cooler show but, alas, it is not meant to be. I still sorely miss Parenthood yet, despite my best efforts, I cannot replace it with This Is Us.  I know this opinion is bound to stir up debate, but I am standing firm. Despite all its accolades, it is a totally cliché show; I almost groaned out loud when we found out that Kate is pregnant, that Kevin might become an addict like his father or that Randall and Beth took in an angry foster child (feign shock and awe).

Look, I’m not trying to be pretentious (though I’m sounding a little like it as I reread this). My taste in TV ranges from the educational (I just finished the National Geographic series Genius and loved it) to the mundane (I’m a big fan of The Middle, The Big Bang Theory and Last Man on Earth). I appreciate why people want to love This Is Us, but I have to ask… doesn’t Mandy Moore’s perpetual angst face bother you as much as it bothers me (if the answer is no, I’m not entirely sure we can be friends).

My friend Tara likes to tease me about how much TV I watch.  I couldn’t care less! As I’ve said, television is my guilty pleasure and like my beloved wine and Diet Coke, I am not willing to give it up. In fact, I even have my watching habit down to a system… first, there are the shows that require my undivided attention (The Americans, Homeland and Scandal); then, there are those I can half watch while doing other things (Project Runway, Top Chef, HGTV, etc.) and finally, there are those that are complete background noise (most sitcoms and late night shows). From experience, this system works pretty well and enables me to watch all the TV I want without falling behind (which sadly, can cause unnecessary stress).

In case you were curious (and why wouldn’t you be), I am currently obsessed with a few shows: Will & Grace (the reboot about these four amazing characters is pure perfection); Outlander (I would also live in smelly 18th century Scotland if I could be with Sam Heughan); Good Behavior (a “light” take on a dysfunctional romance between a thief and a hit man) and American Housewife (this sitcom, taking place in wealthy Westport, Connecticut, eerily mirrors life in my hometown of Boca Raton, Florida).

Given my love of television, it’s strange that I never considered a career in the field (as if it was ever my choice not to be famous). When I was young, I thought I wanted to be an actress; I even took acting lessons at a local theater (I was terrible).  I also once tried out for a bubble gum commercial (also terrible) and was involved in a summer camp rendition of Grease (again, terrible).  Funny that my daughter is now a Film & Television major in college, with a focus in writing for television (in my own warped mind, my lack of talent was the impetus for her decision to pursue a career in the field).  To quote George Bernard Shaw…. “he who can, does; he who cannot, teaches” (in case you were wondering, I’m the teacher in this whole scenario).

In summary, I would love to know what some of your current favorite shows are, as there is always room in my DVR for more.  And more importantly, I want to know if anyone else is bothered by Mandy Moore’s lisp (don’t tell me you haven’t noticed it) and Milo Ventimiglia’s oily hair? Happy watching!I

  1. Tara Gray

    October 23, 2017 at 2:50 pm

    Thanks for the shoutout! Lol
    And yes, Mandy Moore’s lisp and Vilo’s oily hair bother me too…but I still like the show…AND it will NEVER replace Parenthood. XOXO

  2. Stefanie Menocal

    October 23, 2017 at 2:59 pm

    I can’t stand it either! And I was so annoyed when Kevin took the pills. First, bad acting and then I thought, “couldn’t get think of something more original?” I have to say, I do love reality tv, but I also LOVED Ozark (adore Jason Bateman), Narcos and The Crown!!

    1. admin

      October 23, 2017 at 3:04 pm

      Happy to find someone else who doesn’t like it!!! I need to watch Ozark, heard it was good!!! I haven’t seen Narcos either but I love The Crown. Did you watch Victoria too? That was good also!!!

      1. Juli

        October 23, 2017 at 9:55 pm

        Loved ozark, loved the crown and Narcos was great but can’t watch it when u r tired b/c all of the reading makes me sleepy. I just finished Transparent on amazon and absolutely loved it!!!! Crazy, Jewish,quirky ,family with an interesting real take on the transgender/lgbtq community.

  3. Mrs. Block

    October 23, 2017 at 3:14 pm

    Completely loved the first season of This is Us but feeling disappointed this season. It’s Outlander all the way!! And of course, for me, The Walking Dead. Guilty pleasure? Snoop Dog and Martha’s Pot Luck Dinner. There are too many reasons to love this one. And loving 30 minute sitcoms again. They take 20 minutes to watch the next day.

    1. admin

      October 23, 2017 at 3:20 pm

      I haven’t watched the Snoop Dog one!!! I will have to try it! And I love sitcoms!! Always have and always will!!

  4. Elaine

    October 23, 2017 at 4:05 pm

    Hey Susan…..I’m so obsessed with a show on Netflix called Offspring!!! It’s a bit like Parenthood and Brothers and Sisters….out of Australia…..check it out and let me know your thoughts 🙂

    1. admin

      October 23, 2017 at 7:08 pm

      I haven’t heard of Offspring but I am going to look it up! That sounds like its right up my alley.. I loved Brothers & Sisters too. I didn’t mention Thirty Something because I would really be dating myself but that was one of my early favorites!!. Thanks for the feedback!

  5. Susan C

    October 23, 2017 at 4:21 pm

    Big Little Lies – you’ll love it. Not sure if there will be a season 2, but definitely catch all 7 episodes. Would love to get your take on all the characters.

    1. admin

      October 23, 2017 at 7:09 pm

      Of course I watched it! I liked it.. didn’t love it. Hannah LOVED it. I thought Nicole Kidman was outstanding and I’m not a big fan of hers. Not sure how they would do a season 2. Some things are better left as is!!

  6. Karen Slote Murray

    October 23, 2017 at 4:51 pm

    I loved the series Velvet, it’s with subtitles, and the men are gorgeous! Loved The Crown and Victoria. There are some great series on Amazon and Netflix these days, so much better than going to the movies at times!

    1. admin

      October 23, 2017 at 7:12 pm

      I haven’t heard of Velvet. I will have to look it up. Red Oaks is cute on Amazon Prime too. Season 3 just came out but I haven’t watched it yet.

  7. Jennifer McKenzie

    October 23, 2017 at 5:14 pm

    I, too, love Outlander. Maybe you’ll go on the Outlander tour in Scotland with me?? Everyone else thinks I’m crazy when I bring it up!

    1. admin

      October 23, 2017 at 7:13 pm

      YES!!!!!! Count me in! I cannot wait to watch last nights episode. Did you watch it yet?

  8. Robyn

    October 23, 2017 at 5:17 pm

    Loved your post again and my new current addiction is Ten Days in the Valley with Kyra Sedgwick. Trust me on this one!!

  9. MARA SHAPIRO

    October 23, 2017 at 5:35 pm

    I could talk TV all day! I do like this is us but I get what you’re saying and the only one I really like in that show is Beth, yes Mandy Moore is the worst.. I’m so glad you like the middle because that is one of my all time favorites! I love watching the old ones of young Brick. Love Will and Grace although I think they come off as a little sad that they haven’t moved on all these years but I know… It’s TV. Don’t you watch Game of Thrones? Or Veep? Unreal?
    The problem I find with TV is a lot of shows can’t maintain my interest after the first season like Designated Survivor, revenge, crazy ex girlfriend…

    1. admin

      October 23, 2017 at 7:15 pm

      I LOVE Veep and Silicone Valley. I literally watch a million more shows but am too embarrassed to write about them because everyone would think I’m a total loser! The Middle is one of my favs! Sue doesn’t get nearly enough credit… she’s hysterical!!!

  10. Debbie

    October 23, 2017 at 6:38 pm

    Love your writing but also love This Is Us – hope we can still be friends!!!! I will admit this season is not as good as the first!! Love you!! 😘

  11. Andie Fipps

    October 23, 2017 at 7:46 pm

    I don’t like This Is Us either…I tried. I am re watching The Office and I love Orange is the New Black but this past season was boring. I need a show as well…

    1. admin

      October 23, 2017 at 10:03 pm

      Did you watch The Crown? Is really good. So is Victoria.

      1. Andie Fipps

        October 23, 2017 at 10:29 pm

        Kevin watched The Crown, I need to. I’m watching Versailles because I’m obsessed with MA….

  12. Felicia GOldstein

    October 23, 2017 at 8:52 pm

    I am so glad someone else admitted they do not like “This is Us”. My older daughter loves it and looked at me like I was dysfunctional when I admitted not feeling it. I love VEEP and Blacklist and because the news which I watch so much is so terrible I watch a lot of food shows and am watching Mad Men.

    I love your blog!! You should do stand up

    1. admin

      October 23, 2017 at 10:04 pm

      I LOVED Mad Men. That’s a good one. No stand up for me; one comedian per family is enough!!

  13. Robin Schuster

    October 23, 2017 at 11:10 pm

    I’m trying to love Will and Grace again but it’s time for them to get off their soapboxes and just be themselves. I’m finding the blatent preachyness annoying (and I’m as liberal as they come). And Grace needs to get laid. Other than that I’m a Food Network junkie (girl crush on Alex Guarnachelli) and my guilty pleasure is Dancing with the Stars. I’ve been wanting to try the Crown because I love to read those historical fiction books so I’ll put it on my list!

    1. admin

      October 24, 2017 at 12:24 am

      I love Will & Grace. I think they’re so funny and I love watching them tackle issues with aging. Plus, no one is funnier than Jack.

  14. Marcy

    October 24, 2017 at 1:55 am

    Susan you are a wonderful and talented writer!

    I happened upon the show
    “better things”.
    It’s really really good.
    I think you’ll like it – I hope so!!!
    Marcy

    P.s. Don’t ever stop writing !!!!

    1. admin

      October 24, 2017 at 2:41 am

      Thank you Marcy!!!! What channel is that on? I will look into it!!

      1. Marcy

        October 24, 2017 at 2:47 am

        It’s on FX – give it time it’s quality writing and the characters completely flawed and real

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