The Writers' Strike has been going on since November, and at first, I barely felt the effects. After all, my DVR was filled to the max with new episodes of really neat shows. It was an all-you-can-eat TV buffet back then.
Now in the winter of our discontent, when it is too cold to leave the house and engage with human beings due to an asthmatic bronchospasms induced by the frigid, Ohio air, the Writers' Strike starts to hit me hard. My TV watching habits are a shell of their former selves. I have started to waver between watching the debased lowbrow entertainment that caters to the "lowest common denominator" and the relatively highbrow (for Middle America at least) - CNN.
For instance, I realized things were getting dire when I started to watch the new season of One Tree Hill, an absolutely shitty teen show that is filmed in my native North Carolina. It stars a skeezy star, Chad Michael Murray, whose marriage to his costar ended after a mere six months because of an ill-fated dalliance with Paris Hilton. Now dear blog reader, one may be wondering why One Tree Hill is so horrific; does the fact that Keven Federline (i.e. the former Mr. Britney Spears) guest-starred as a rapper-singer in the vain of CrazyTown last night make it any clearer? What is happening to me, I thought, but I continued watching because I was that desperate.
I also started subscribing to multiple movie channels (I have nearly 12 channels devoted entirely to B-list movies). Before the Writers' Strike, I used to be a relative movie snob. I liked obscure, indie foreign films and despised mainstream comedies for their crass commercialism and their subtle endorsement of bourgeois values. I am no longer that person; for instance, last night, I watched Night at the Museum with Ben Stiller. Although Ricky Gervais was hilarious, I recall that that movie was nominated for a Razzie award for Worst Movie. I also watched John Tucker Must Die, a crap movie starring Hollywood douche Jesse Metcalf. Sample dialogue:
Heather: John and I belong together. He's the varsity captain, and after all, I AM the head cheerleader.
At the same time, though, the strike has reawakened my civic interests as I watch CNN's coverage of primary/caucus season obsessively. Who will win South Carolina? Nevada? Primary season is like a sporting event, as one roots for a favorite team team. The tickers at the bottom of the screen showing the percent of precincts reporting is mesmerizing. The political mudslinging is really cool, too - did Hillary Clinton, the Tracey Flick of the election, just call Obama, America's own popular, football player with a charismatic smile, a drug user? I have also started to find Anderson Cooper really dreamy and imagine what it would be like if we were married (most likely an intellectual free-for-all as we trekked through the Amazon to inform ignorant Americans about obscure, environmental travesties).
I have also started to watch ESPN. I am about two days away from watching Sports Center (I'm not there yet though!). For example, right now, in lieu of Gossip Girl and its fantabulous wardrobe, I am watching a sweaty Tyler Hansborough in an unfashionably shiny jersey in the Georgia Tech - North Carolina game. Tomorrow I might even watch Nadal or the Man Who Made Tennis Boring, Federer, at the Australian Open. I have really changed, and perhaps even, grown, as a person. It is a strange feeling.
--By Mariam, who really did not enjoy today's presentation on fiscal responsibility at school today.
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16 comments:
"most likely an intellectual free-for-all as we trekked through the Amazon to inform ignorant Americans about obscure, environmental travesties" -- Where are all these America-Amazons hiding out? Or are you trekking through Amazon.com, attempting to teach the internet addicted masses?
Oh shit. I totally just re-read it and understood.
I still think the idea of trekking through Amazon.com is pretty clever though.
Signed,
A sincerely embarrassed Lindsey, who consistently reads, rarely comments, and feels stupid for making her wrong opinion heard.
do u think this strike is the beginning of the end of over-paid entertainers- singers, actors, musicians, producers, directors, athletes?????????
I thought amazon.com too when I first read it, and then I thought it would be better if they confronted Amazonians and were like "you're harming the environment by pooping right here."
I've started reading books and playing guitar instead of watching TV, and I'm actually up much later at night, sigh.
In college, my professors told me my syntax was confusing. I MUST work on that. I watched Anderson's show called Planet in Peril and saw the cutie hanging with the Amazonian natives. It was too adorable!
AC is like, reee-diculously hot for a newscaster. I give you that.
And as far as aalia says, I do think that the writers could be screwing themselves on this one. For instance, I've been watching Daily Show and Colbert Report and sans writers they are still hilarious. I actually like the show a lot more, because it feels more honest! I'll have to watch Letterman sometime and see how he does.
I am just trying to figure out what the topics of these intellectual free-for-alls. Does AC watch the Hills? Last time he was in Syndey, AU, I'm sure he hung out with the Real World crew, so I guess you could talk about that.
I have to tell you, besides the talk show like Colbert, I haven't noticed this strike thing. I could watch reruns of MONK all week.
aw. i think eric is reaching out to be friends with you mariam. why else would he share a shameful love for the show monk?
I agree. Monk is NOT a good show. Psych is good though. It's really funny and cute.
Did you guys ever get a show called Red Dwarf? Now THAT was a funny show.
I have seen the icon for Red Dwarf on my netlfix. What is it about?
Not sure what netlfix is, but Red Dwarf was a comedy show. The setting was a bunch of four guys stuck in outer space, but the comedy was much more character based rather than plot-driven. They encountered bizarre stupid adventures and well, it was just really funny. They don't make it anymore though, it was really big in the late 80's and 90's here.
Oh and for the Ricky Gervais fans, go here and click on the "Early Years", "Season One" and "Season Two" Archives. You get to listen to clips of the XFM show he used to do, it's brilliant.
Forgot to give the website, smart of me.
http://www.xfm.co.uk/article.asp?id=3673
Wow, who would have thought that I would get slammed for talking about a show that has won numerous Emmies. Of course, it isn't the Hills. It isn't that accomplished or renowned.
Anyone who knows anything thinks Hollywood award shows are an exercise in self congratulation that rarely ever reward true excellence. Burn!!!!!!
And how does Shaz not know what netflix is?
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