What "highly acclaimed" T.V. series did you think was a waste of time?

[Binkie The Clown]

My vote goes to "Orange is the New Black". It just didn't click for me. It was painful to watch, and after a couple episodes I just gave up on it.

[still_one]

1. Lost. Complete waste of time. The whole series could have been done in one episode.

[unblock]

4. Good point! It might have made one decent twilight zone episode.

[Siwsan]

90. The first season was good, but then it was obvious the writers were the 'lost' ones.

It was such a great cast, and such a pity that it spiraled, so badly.

[still_one]

92. Yup. A lot of series do that

[mackerel]

106. The book was a stretch too.

[MFM008]

2. Walking Dead

I watched 3 full seasons. Just got tired of them killing off so many characters I liked.

[still_one]

8. Watching the Original Night of the Living Dead, I had no desire for the new version. In fact

I was quite disappointed that AMC cancelled Rubicon, and kept the Walking Dead. I am not the typical demographic though, and obviously the Walking Dead was quite popular

[Aristus]

50. I lasted three episodes.

For me, it seemed to be gun-fetishist porn.

The whole thing was a stereotypical 'alpha-dog' dream.

"Well, things 'r' different now, honey! Gots ta keep them walkers frum takin' over! Keep yer powder dry 'n' yer gun loaded!"

[underpants]

81. Yeah my wife watches it. I just don't think it clicks

It's takes forever to really go nowhere. Some of the characters are good but they just don't have time for each one. I still watch from time to time.

[unblock]

3. Lost

They "lost" me relatively early after it became clear that every answer opened up two new questions. Nothing ever really resolved. Ricard Wagner could pull off that crap, but this wasn't anything close to that caliber.

Most of the people I know who stuck with it to the end were very disappointed.

[still_one]

6. yup. Bruce Willis is a ghost

[TexasProgresive]

5. 2 & 1/2 Men

[unblock]

11. Highly acclaimed?

[TexasProgresive]

15. Well it had high ratings for whatever that's worth.

What I know if there is a show that I really look forward to watching it will be cancelled without notice, if I can't stand it, it will continue ad nauseam.

[unblock]

18. Yeah well, lots of people eat at McDonald's, too

[Catmusicfan]

7. Lost, walking Dead, American Horror Story,Faux News channel

Orange is the New Black was good until season 3 now it is so down hill.

[samnsara]

82. i marathon wathced Lost and it could have wrapped up after season 3 but then..

... it got silly...I LOVE American Horror Story except this last season sucked, I watched a few seasons of Walking Dead then I lost my taste for it.....same with TGOT

[apkhgp]

9. TV Show

Battlestar Galactica with Edward James Olmos
Caprica

[OregonBlue]

22. Loved Galactica but I gotta say it had the most preposterous lame ending of all time.

I was pissed. We were supposed to believe that they go to a new undeveloped planet in these fabulous ships with fabulous technology and medicine etc and they just abandon it and strike out on their own and become subsistence farmers with no technology and no health care etc.? I might have been born at night but I wasn't born last night. Totally ridiculous scenario and a real cop out.

[yallerdawg]

29. Lucy Lawless!!!

What show could go wrong when the cast includes Lucy Lawless!

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

10. Breaking Bad.

I watched the first episode, was horrified, watched maybe fifteen minutes of the second, and nothing more.

However, I haven't watched any of the others already mentioned. Oh, wait. I did watch an episode or three of The Walking Dead and decided it wasn't worth sticking with.

[unblock]

14. Oh you're wrong there.

Breaking bad had some phenomenal acting and cinematography, and it was wonderful to see a character evolve over five seasons as a fully planned story arc, not something that was revised and rejiggered countless times due to getting picked up for an extra season or an actor going away or whatever.

It really is worth watching.

[CurtEastPoint]

16. Totally agree.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

21. Most people tell me the same thing.

But having been reasonably aware of the show and its story arc, it still strikes me as something that glorifies drug dealing. And it does seem to go off the tracks in some of the later seasons. I actually came to a screeching halt in that first episode because apparently poor Walter works for a school district that has no health insurance coverage whatsoever. Even before the ACA I couldn't buy that.

In general, a lot of TV shows and movies portray things that simply wouldn't really happen that way in real life. Here I'm thinking of the series "Person of Interest" which I've been watching on Netflix. I made it through the first two seasons, and the first two episodes of season three. But I'm not sure I'll bother with the rest of it, because (among other things) I can't buy it that the two cops that John, the main character, constantly gets to do various things for him, would that readily drop everything for such tasks. As if they are never accountable to their own bosses. Lots of other small things like that have been bothering me, to the point where they're interfering with my willingness to suspend disbelief.

The truth is, there are plenty of shows out there worth watching, even when we disagree about which ones are most worth it.

[unblock]

24. agreed some things are a matter of taste.

a lack of realism can kill certain shows; on the other hand, too much realism can also kill them.

virtually all crime/detective/trial shows would be ridiculously dreary if they were remotely realistic.

superhero shows can be well worth watching, but they are by definition unrealistic. come to think of it, most crime/detective/trial shows could be considered superhero shows as they're usually based on a character that is either a superhero one way or another, such as a sherlock holmes.


as for breaking bad, i certainly didn't see it as glorifying drug dealing, though i suppose again i could see other seeing it differently.

my own take was that it was a long, gradual decent into ever more ethically compromised situations, and it became something that consumed him and took over him. far from glorifying it, it showed how someone who was fundamentally a decent guy -- or at least, used to be fundamentally decent guy -- could feel he had no option but to do increasingly horrible things once sucked into that world.

[lunamagica]

34. Actually, Walter didn't start cooking meth to get treatment. He did it to provide for Skyler and

their children. He even calculates the he needs to make $747.000.00 to cover their expenses. But then ambition took over and he wanted more and more money.

ETA: I disagree that it glorifies drug dealing. They all paid a huge price for their crimes, and they always had to hide the money, never really enjoying it.

[Iggo]

42. It doesn't glorify drug-dealing. (n/t)

[lunamagica]

33. ICAM. Breaking Bad deserved all the hype it received

[samnsara]

80. i tried to like it i really did but i couldnt get past the first episode....

...when ppl say to wait it gets better then its lost me already.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

95. It's nice to know that there's someone else out

there who feels the same way.

The first episode itself almost completely lost me, and I think I only got 15 minutes into the second one before I decided my life would not be the poorer if I never watched it.

As I've already mentioned, there really are a lot of very good shows out there to watch, even if we have wildly different definitions of good.

[Initech]

12. Spartacus

There was no plot - all it was - was gratuitous sex after gratuitous sex, and gratuitous violence after gratuitous violence. And it passed for a "critically acclaimed show". Don't get me wrong, I have no problem with that, but at least have a little character development, that wouldn't hurt, would it?

[JCMach1]

25. You hated what great about it over the top sex

And visually stunning violence

[Initech]

32. It did have some awesome visuals, I'll give it that!

[yallerdawg]

27. Lucy Lawless!!!

After 7 years of 'Xena,' that was the bestest 'gratuitous' sex I ever saw!

[Iggo]

43. When I was 14, I would have loved it.

But I ain't.

[rurallib]

13. Seinfeld

I tried about 4 times to watch it, but it just came across as a bunch of whiners to me.

[Kashkakat v.2.0]

17. And dont forget Friends. Anything with a bunch of boring people sitting around talking.

[rurallib]

19. well it said 'highly acclaimed.'

but oh man was Friends ever over hyped.

[Binkie The Clown]

28. You got that right!

I couldn't stand Seinfeld. A bunch of unsympathetic characters doing nothing that mattered.

[Beartracks]

31. But that's what it tried to be.

So in that sense, it was very successful: a show about nothing.

==========

[Duppers]

86. Yes, Seinfeld and Friends was terrible.

And, oddly enough, the physicist I live with and I cannot laugh at the too silly Big Bang Theory. Gave up trying.

They just don't made them like M*A*S*H and Frasier any more.

[SammyWinstonJack]

105. Love Frasier. Cheers and Wings, also.

[jmowreader]

30. Let's talk about the Big 3

Seinfeld, Friends and Sex in the City. They all have legions of rabid fans...and they all suck.

[csziggy]

58. Those three series turned me off of sitcoms

Haven't been able to be a fan of one since those things ran.

[samnsara]

83. thats was the whole idea.. they were a bunch of loser whiners but i loved it..

[msongs]

20. almost all of them - esp so-called reality shows which are all fake nt

[unblock]

26. i hate the term "reality show" -- they're extended game shows.

instead of going on jeopardy and getting your trivia tested for 30 minutes, you go to an island and test your social dominance and endurance and survival skills or whatever for a couple months.

well, more accurately, you test your skills at being able to convince the producers that you can attract viewer eyeballs.

[Panich52]

23. The Sopranos

[Zorro]

96. I agree

With the exception of the daughter, almost every character had no redeeming values.

And the shrink's nasal, whiny voice grated on my nerves.

[Panich52]

100. Watched 1st couple eps & was bored silly

I'm so tired of Mafiaphilia. Was even then.

[mythology]

35. I couldn't get into either The Wire or Fargo

I watched the first season of each and had no desire to watch any more.

[Skittles]

36. ditto Orange is the New Black

I gave up after a couple of episodes - it was just fucking stupid

[cvoogt]

37. The Wire

I really wanted to like it. I like cop and detective shows and am a big fan of Idris Elba. But this just did not click for me..

[Binkie The Clown]

38. Really? I loved The Wire. Go figure. n/t

[cvoogt]

41. Yeah..

It felt like it was trying to build suspense.. and some of it was good... but I was mostly bored

[hibbing]

53. Watched it all

I watched it probably five years at least since it debuted, I thought the acting was good, but was expecting a lot more from the hype.

On a side note, these people lumping Seinfeld in with Friends are nuts!


Peace

[cvoogt]

56. Seinfeld ! Friends

Seinfeld = 1000 X Friends

[earthshine]

39. Stranger Things

The wife and I just could not see what people found so enjoyable about it. It seemed simplistic, derivative, and cliched.

We watched all of it, too.

But, people I know really liked it.

[miyazaki]

49. Ya. I agree.

It has a good theme intro though.

[Awsi Dooger]

40. I've never heard of most of the series named in this thread

I guess that's good, if the opinions are correct.

[Cuthbert Allgood]

44. Grey's Anatomy

Could only watch part of one show.

[geek tragedy]

45. Six Feet Under and (blasphemy alert) Arrested Development nt

[Leith]

63. Agreed on Arrested Development

I watched the first 5 or 6 episodes and that was chore enough. It was like that commercial for Progressive insurance where Flo's family was camping drawn out into a TV show.

I enjoyed Six Feet Under, but it wasn't that rave worthy, either.

[samnsara]

84. i really loved 6 Feet Under esp the way it ended

[Flaleftist]

46. Friends nt

[mantis49]

99. Agree! n/t

[Homer Wells]

47. Bound to catch some flack here

But I never, ever liked Modern Family.

[TexasBushwhacker]

65. I never could get into it either n/t

[Skittles]

70. I never liked The Simpsons

I found it irritating

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

48. "Seinfeld" and "Friends."

Thought both shows were stupid.

[Duppers]

88. Yep, I agree.

[RandySF]

51. MASH, Seinfeld, ER, St. Elsewhere, Grey's Anatomy, Firefly, Dr. Who, Downtown Abbey, Friends

[forgotmylogin]

52. Revolution.

The JJ Abrams follow-up after Lost about a future apocalypse set several years after an event which disables all electronic devices and electricity. It was a terrifying concept with potential and had a vibe a bit like Bioshock Infinite.

I watched it for a while. It was sort of interesting because they hinted that the Great Unplug was a conspiracy and there were devices that *could* supply electricity, but I lost complete interest at the end of the first season.

[Mr.Bill]

54. Big Bang Theory

The writing is good but the characters and acting I find annoying.

[Binkie The Clown]

59. Heresy!!! n/t

[Eliot Rosewater]

77. The show is sitcom 101 as to the formula, but the acting from Jim and others,

the science that is in every single episode, well, you just cant do better than this!

I dont have to mention Kaley, I hope. duh

[Duppers]

89. This family is not amused either. nt

[Laffy Kat]

55. "The Sopranos"

Could not get into it.


Go ahead, hurl your insults at me.

[Iggo]

57. Downton Abbey.

It sucked back when it was called Upstairs/Downstairs, and it sucks now.

[eShirl]

61. every last damn police proceedural

I'd rather have dental work

[Binkie The Clown]

62. Every last damn doctor/hospital drama.

It's not safe for a hypochondriac to watch TV anymore!

[mitch96]

103. Same here....

I worked in hospitals for over 40 years. We were up to our ass in shit/piss and blood and then my fellow co workers go home and watch hospital shows...... I don't get it..
m

[lpbk2713]

64. All those shows that take place in Alaska.

And there seems to be several. Does anyone really
care what happens in the frozen wilderness?

[Binkie The Clown]

69. Except "Northern Lights", of course. n/t

[raven mad]

109. Except that they don't. Some are PARTIALLY filmed here.

And you'd care what happens here if you lived here. Oh, by the way, I'm in the Interior, and have experienced 60 below zero. Today it's 81 above - so much for your "frozen wilderness". And I'd be willing to bet that my garden yields way more than most in the lower 48, and in only 2 1/2 months.

[Wolf Frankula]

66. Law and Order

Jack McCoy was a pretentious, crooked ass. None of the 'rich defendants' ever fought back like real ones do.

Wolf

[Oneironaut]

71. Every Law and Order episode is downright cheesy. It's almost a comedy.

SVU is the worst. The characters (especially the episode's killer, etc.) are always so over the top that it's impossible to take seriously.

[LeftInTX]

97. I watched the first episode

Over the top...
About a doctor committing malpractice.

It wasn't anything like a real malpractice case.

I think it started with medical neglect and turned into 2nd degree murder without much evidence.

[femmocrat]

67. Does anyone like "This Is Us"?

I tried to watch it the first time around and made it through 2 episodes. Now that it is in reruns, I have stuck with it and still don't care for it.

I don't like most of the characters (except Randall and his bio-father). The story lines aren't bad, but it just seems to be trying too hard. Those siblings spend so much time dwelling on the past. It just seems so contrived to me -- the ignored kid who constantly seeks attention, the poor little overweight girl, the black kid who never feels like he fits in so he over-achieves. I could just see some PR people pitching the pilot.... it's like that skit from SNL about the ad agency.

[zanana1]

110. I absolutely love that show.

It's a nice break from sci-fi and reality tv.

[Doug the Dem]

68. Ally McBeal

My wife loved it. For me? Torture!

[skypilot]

93. I always wanted to see...

...Lucy Lui's character beat her ass. One of the most annoying TV characters ever. And I didn't buy for a second that all these guys were falling for her.

[catbyte]

72. Game of Thrones. I tried, I really tried, but they lost me when they sentenced the

dire wolf to death. It wasn't even that graphic, but it turned me off so much I never watched another episode.

[Binkie The Clown]

73. My daughter said the same thing. Then a few years later she tried again and got hooked. n/t

[Brother Buzz]

74. Hunter Pence thinks Game of Thrones is just OK

The Giants are currently 30½ games behind the Dodgers in the NL West. This bobblehead was given away on Game of Thrones night at AT&T Park on July 20. It is literally the most exciting thing they’re going to see for the rest of the season.

[samnsara]

85. i marathon watched the first 4 seasons then i was caught up and forgot to watch..

..the current episodes then I got lost then it seemed ultra violet.

[PassingFair]

75. True Blood

I actually have to leave the room when it's on.

The FAKE ACCENTS that COME AND GO!

Arghhhh!

I can't see that Sooki character without wanting to smash the TV.

My hatred of this show is unreasonable, but there it is.

[skypilot]

94. I watched the first couple seasons.

Liked the season with the "maenad" character feeding off people's energy at her bacchanalian events. But rather quickly I got bored with any and all story lines that involved Bill and Sooki, and since that was a good portion of the show...

[get the red out]

76. Friends

[samnsara]

78. The Apprentice, a bazillion kids and counting, naked and afraid, survivor...

..real housewives of whatever, jersey shores, ANY reality show ( except the Osbournes). 90210,
the newlywed game, MTVs real world, ( except when Tammy Faye Baker was on)

[underpants]

87. Not that it's highly acclaimed but "Big Brother" US is horrible Z

My wife started watching it years ago so I did too.

They've tried everything they, the producers, can think of and it's just a big dud. Nothing happens but that gets dragged out over a week. They've brought past guests back, let some leave secretly, brought evicted back in - you name it and still laughably bad.

Oh and JULIE CHEN has to be the worst host of anything I've ever seen. She's gone hot mic while revealing some big secret to the viewers and the guests have heard. That's happened at least twice and they had to scrap the big secret or game change. She's the boss's wife so ...yeah.

[Watchfoxheadexplodes]

91. Mad men

Honey get me a drink as I plan to boff the next female office employee.

The end

[LeftInTX]

98. House of Cards

[femmocrat]

111. I couldn't get through the first season.

Everyone was so hateful.

[Mike Nelson]

101. YIKES...

...I agree with every show mentioned in this thread - that I've seen! ...even The Simpsons, which I rarely admit... DU posters have excellent taste!

[avebury]

102. Any and all reality tv shows

They remind me of ancient Rome when the people went down to watch the gladiators fight at the Coliseum. It is ultra cheap entertainment for the sole purpose of trying to keep the masses tied up watching stupid tv instead of paying attention to what is going on around them. If people paid more attention to what is going on, perhaps we wouldn't be in the mess we are today. No tv show can beat what we are experiencing in real life at this time.

[NobodyHere]

104. Anything on AMC

[mackerel]

107. How I met Your Mother

It was always so close to being funny but never really got there. Then to realize at the end that this is a Dad talking to his kids about their dead mother.

[Luciferous]

108. The Sopranos