A month or so ago I attended a comprehensive First Aid course, and as a warm up to the course the nice lady instructor asked each of us in turn what TV shows we liked to watch. At the time I thought of House and Boston Legal. I've always admired David E Kelly's writing, and in Boston Legal he has done the seemingly impossible - taking Kirk away from Shatner and giving us Denny Crane in return.
Anyway, pleased with my "off the cuff" revelation (and not blurting out Americas Next Top Model instinctively), I was surprised that the instructor responded with "Oh - those shows are both so cynical". Those who know me would be shocked to learn that I was totally lost for words; devoid of any witty reply.
This whole episode has obviously left me emotionally scarred, as recently I made a list of the TV shows I love to watch when I have time. It turns out that at first glance, most do seem cynical and dark. There is however a constant theme of redemption running through most of the shows - which is probably the reason why I watch them. You have to love flawed characters with good intentions - especially when you don't tolerate them in real life :)
So - My Top 10 Shows (in no apparent order)
House
Dexter
Californication
Boston Legal
Battlestar Galactica
NCIS
Life on Mars
Outrageous Fortune
Americas Next Top Model - Tyra Mail!!!
Hells Kitchen
And while I'm still in my cynical space, feel free enjoy this clip that Gyro Stan sent me.
Cats can change - believe me - they just have to want to change :)
5 comments:
I haven't seen a single one of these shows. That's what I get for not having cable.
When I was teaching somehow Seinfeld came up in the discussion. I said that all the characters were awful and I wouldn't want them for friends. My students gasped in horror. I guess it's different when you are on the inside safely being cynical.
Cat: Funny.
You know the funny thing, and perhaps the reason why I was shocked?
I just don't see myself as cynical. Can you appreciate cynical characters and their motivations without being cynical yourself - I hope so :)
Okay. I've been thinking all day about the first aid instructor and why she would ask what your favorite tv shows are or why she would care (or have a critical certainty) to say they are cynical. Admitting that there aren't a great many pollyannas out there isn't cynical, it's honest. Someone whose job must entail wrapping the bleeding heads of piss-soaked alcoholics at the train station surely would know better. Did she say what her favorite show was?
And- I don't think truly cynical people watch Next Top Model.
Thank God for that - I was starting to worry that a first aid lady might make me doubt myself - that kind of power is only reserved for ... well anyone else actually :)
Curiously she never mentioned what show she watched - and thanks to you I will now always wonder...... :)
Have a great weekend Ren
Hey! Why's everyone knocking cynicism? Someone recently accused me of having a 'cynic shield' and personally, I'm kinda chuffed about that. Sure beats blue spandex and red underpants
Post a Comment