[watch] Five TV Shows To Give Up On
Television is suffering from a creative dearth. Between Jay Leno taking up five hours of primetime per week, the still-lingering effects of the 2007-08 writers’ strike, and long-established shows trying too hard to stay relevant, I’m finding myself taking more and more programs off my imaginary DVR schedule (I can’t even afford cable, much less TiVo). At some point, you just have to give up on believing a show will get better and cut your losses. Here are five shows I’ve recently broken up with:
Gossip Girl
The twentysomething favorite (seriously, I don’t know a single teenager who watches this show, but all my college-educated friends sure as hell do) ruined my favorite character, Blair Waldorf, by turning her into a whiny brat without a conscience. That, combined with the inevitably awkward high-school-to-college transition, parent plotlines no one cares about, and having dragged out the will-they-or-won’t-they of Chuck and Blair for way too long, and I threw in the towel about two episodes into season three.
Heroes
Actually, I stopped watching this show two years ago, which is when you should have stopped watching it too. I didn’t believe them the first time they said, “We’ll get back on track creatively,” not to mention the second time, or third… NBC should put this trainwreck out of its misery ASAP. Rest in peace, Heroes. We’ll always have “Company Man.”
The Office
Some of the best characters (Creed, Dwight, Kevin, did I mention Creed?) have been neutered in favor of endless, unfunny Jim/Pam/Michael plotlines. Bring back Holly, though, and I’ll reinstate my (imaginary) Season Pass immediately.
Dollhouse
The sophomore show recently got the ax from Fox, which should have come as a surprise to no one. Not only was it on Friday nights, but it was Joss Whedon’s weakest production yet. I was tired of Eliza Dushku’s slut-of-the-week storylines and Agent Ballard’s confusing double-crossing after the first episode of this season.
Dexter
This show can get back to me when Dexter and Deb get over their daddy issues, Rita stops being such a nag, and John Lithgow’s Trinity Killer character becomes legitimately scary. This once-great show is currently downright painful to watch.
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While I have to disagree with you on The Office (but concur with the Pam/Jim overkill) and Dexter (John Lithgow by is very nature is creepy to me), I agree with your other selections. I might also add LOST only because it’s about six years of my life I won’t get back and yet now that I’ve invested so much time in it, I HAVE to see it through to the end.
I also ended things with Gossip Girl a few weeks back. But we are going steady again on a trial basis. As long as she doesn’t pull that Tyra Banks guest star crap again then we’ll be golden.
I agree with Andrea – can’t give up on The Office (though I admit it’s getting tired) and Dexter still scares the crap outta me (last night’s episode was GOOD too). But Gossip Girl continues to collect on my DVR and yet not even the promise of Hilary Duff or Tyra Banks (ha) can motivate me to watch.
How about Grey’s Anatomy, every week it’s just too hectic, plus they kicked of the black guy, then they kicked out the gay guy, who’s next? And I think I’m all American Idoled out from now on.
Oz – I never watched Gray’s to begin with, but from what I hear, it would definitely be time to break up with that one too. And I stopped watching Idol after, like, season three.
Although I may not be timely. I gave up Battlestar Galactica is the fourth season.
The show just lost all momentum, and any actual forward progress in the plot was replaced by characters bickering.
It was a soap opera in space. I checked out before Lee Adama got amnesia or Cylons started getting long-lost twins.
I’m totally with you on Heroes… I watched like two episodes of season 2 then threw my hands up… I decided this year would be the year… but the first episode just made me roll my eyes… Also my wife insists on Dancing with the Stars taking one DVR channel so I had to choose between recording Heroes or The Big Bang Theory.. gee I wonder which wins that decision?!!
Also on Dollhouse.. Episode 1 = awesome!! Episode 2 = meh… Episode 3 and beyond = what’s Dollhouse?
I was so into Heroes the first two seasons. Then I missed an episode in the third and got lost. I don’t care how many recaps they do, you miss an episode and you’re hosed. So I’m sticking to shows that require a minimal amount of commitment. Like SpongeBob Squarepants.
One of my toughest breakups was with the Real World/Road Rules Challenge. We met, sparks flew, then we both grew older and drifted away. I consider it a win. I still have a few years left in my twenties which is more than most of the RW/RR characters could say.
I still love the Office! I agree some of the more background characters need to become front and center again. And hopefully we’ll see a little less Jim/Pam with the wedding out of the way… who knows. I keep saying I’m going to give up on Heroes too and every time I give it “One more week” and something grabs my attention, which isn’t hard to do, oh look a bird!
Anyway, haven’t even see any of the other shows on your list. But I agree with Andrea that I keep wanting to give up on Lost because it’s so fricking frustrating! But at this point with only 1 season left, I have to finish.
I don’t think the Office’s 30 minute segment is enough. But it’s definitely enough for them to change the storyline a little. Heroes is digging its own grave. And after the 50th time Izzie cried on Grey’s this season (by episode 2) I gave up. I don’t need that kind of drama coming from a TV. Shows I do enjoy that deserve credit are Parks and Rec, 30 Rock, Community, and Always Sunny. Might require a different sense of humor but totally worth checking out.
HUGE mistake breaking up with Dexter. This season was epic, as was the finale. If you want to watch, in my never humble opinion, the most shocking and gut-wrenching season finale of all time, I suggest you immediately rekindle the Dexter relationship.
Gossip Girl finally got rid of Hilary Duff (for now) and its Blair and Chuck escapades are now comfortable and somewhat sweet. Plus, Leighton Meester completely blew up the Hollywood radar in 2009, making GG a must-watch. I’d definitely reconnect here as well, if nothing else then to keep up with style trends :)
I was pretty devoted to Gray’s for a few seasons, but when Fringe came on opposite, I converted to Fringe. I don’t think I’m missing anything on Gray’s. It seems they’re just recycling story lines now and it’s not the same without George. They just brought in a bunch of newer, younger interns/residents and are starting over with the same stories. Eh….
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