Television: Culture. Entertainment. Research?

Confession: I probably watch too much TV in my never ending search for another favorite, like LOST or The Closer.

I believe it's important for novelists (even those who write books set in the past) to be aware of the culture we live in. Television, love it or hate it, is one sure way to keep up with the culture. And while there is a lot of junk masquerading as entertainment, there are some good shows too. It's not all bad.

So here we are at the start of another television season, and I've got my eyes on a few new shows, hoping they will deliver.

Prime Suspect: Yes, I like cop shows, so I couldn't resist checking this one out. It isn't the same as the British version that starred Helen Mirren some years back, but I think it has potential for being entertaining. NBC on Thursdays.

Person of Interest: Okay, how could I not check out this show. It is "sort of" a cop show but not really. It stars Michael Emerson (LOST) and Jim Caviezel (Passion of the Christ) and it has JJ Abrams' (LOST) fingerprints all over the concept. I think this series could really catch fire. CBS on Thursdays.

A Gifted Man: For all intents and purposes, this is a ghost story, and those don't usually appeal to me. But it co-stars Jennifer Ehle (Elizabeth in the BBC Pride and Prejudice) so I had to check it out. I think I could come to really like this show. CBS on Fridays.

I'm sticking with Survivor, Dancing With the Stars, American Idol, and So You Think You Can Dance for my reality show fixes. I checked out X Factor this week and quickly decided I wasn't ready for another singing show. I was particularly disgusted that they gave the fellow who dropped his pants and exposed himself even 15 seconds on air. Trouble was, they gave him more than 15 seconds. They let him continue to parade around the stage, singing a ridiculous song he'd written. Why didn't they stop him? Why didn't they use one of those old hooks and drag him off the stage? Whoever on Simon's team allowed it to happen should be fired and Simon Cowell should apologize to the American public. There were kids in the audience. Viewers at home were at least protected by the X covering his privates.

I'm also hanging in there with a few older favorites like Castle and Hawaii 5-0.

What about you? New favorites? Possibilities? Anything you absolutely hate already?

~robin

Comments

[Katie Hart]

I took my love of both TV shows and writing one step further and began a TV blog! (Link above if you'd care to visit!) I don't blog about reality shows (since I rarely watch them), but I'm checking out some new shows this year (including Person of Interest) and chatting about old favorites. My site's even gone a bit Castle-crazy this month, with a new sidebar look and a giveaway!

A few opinions so far: I wasn't fond at all of New Girl, but I may give it one more episode since they're adding a new cast member. 2 Broke Girls was better than I was expecting. Person of Interest had a good start, but needs more to be a compelling watch. And I'm really looking forward to Homeland and Once Upon a Time!

[Robin Lee Hatcher]

Wow! That's ambitious. I definitely do not watch enough TV to tackle a TV blog. I don't watch many comedies on TV, mostly because they have become so raunchy (i.e. Two and a Half Men) that I don't find them funny or feel guilty when I laugh.

I love Castle, which definitely has humor mixed in with the drama. Haven't heard of Homeland or Once Upon a Time. I'll have to check them out.

[Nicole Petrino-Salter]

I confess: I love fall TV. Love it. And, right or wrong, I watch a lot of it. Surprising how it can inspire me. So? Nothing anyone can say to change my mind.

Love the CSIs. Yes, all of them. Love NCIS. Yes, both of them. Love Hawaii Five-0. Bones. Criminal Minds. And I enjoyed Person of Interest. Hoping it makes the grade with future episodes. Same with Unforgettable. (And I like The Closer and Rizzoli and Isles which they say might start up with five new episodes in November.) Lean a little to the area of crime and forensics, wouldn't you say? ;)

Don't do any reality TV. Ever.

[Stephanie]

I have just started watching the new Dr. Who and love it. Highly recommend it! Also, my husband & I love to watch the Mentalist.