TV, or not TV, that is the question

[bigblue_dl]

Re: TV, or not TV, that is the question

I'm working my way through Orange is the New Black season 3. I'm through 4 episodes and so far, it isn't as bad as some have made it out to be. It isn't as good as the first season, but it isn't terrible, IMO. Maybe it goes downhill from here?

 

[Kepler]

Re: TV, or not TV, that is the question

Anyone watch Scream Queens? I just couldn't get that into it. It bills itself as a comedy/horror but the comedy attempts are weak at best. Still haven't made it all the way through the 2 hour premier and deciding if I want to finish it.

AHS is so good that I thought I'd give it a try, but from the trailers it sure looks like what you're describing. Too bad.

 

[St. Clown]

Re: TV, or not TV, that is the question

AHS is so good that I thought I'd give it a try, but from the trailers it sure looks like what you're describing. Too bad.

I've never seen AHS, is it supposed to be genuinely scary? Scream Queens is supposed to be a campy horror show. I went into it with that in mind, but the jokes are all aimed at younger people.

 

[The Rube]

Re: TV, or not TV, that is the question

I've never seen AHS, is it supposed to be genuinely scary? Scream Queens is supposed to be a campy horror show. I went into it with that in mind, but the jokes are all aimed at younger people.

I've heard that AHS is really friggin' creepy. Of course, it depends on the season, because different strokes for different folks, but it's quality nonetheless. It's on my list to check out, and that is NOT my genre, for what it's worth.

 

[Kepler]

Re: TV, or not TV, that is the question

I've never seen AHS, is it supposed to be genuinely scary?

I wouldn't say scary -- nothing on TV can ever really be scary (other than politicians). But it's very disturbing and interesting. If you're going to try it out I'd recommend season 1 or 3. They were more traditional. Season 2 I didn't see. Season 4 was probably the deepest and most fascinating, but it was also extremely unpleasant.

AHS is a unique experiment for American television -- it's about very different emotions and reactions than most people are used to in "entertainment." I'm amazed it's lasted -- it is definitely not for everyone.

 

[Kepler]

Re: TV, or not TV, that is the question

I've heard that AHS is really friggin' creepy. Of course, it depends on the season, because different strokes for different folks, but it's quality nonetheless. It's on my list to check out, and that is NOT my genre, for what it's worth.

Creepy is a good word for it. It makes your skin crawl, and it doesn't get there with cheap effects either. It gives you fleshed-out characters and unpleasant situations. It's exploring the ways in which we've been trained by media, even horror media, and what happens when the rules are broken and expectations are violated.

 

[rufus]

Re: TV, or not TV, that is the question

We've had the Borgias and now we get the Medicis.

@BattlestarShow: Dustin Hoffman, Richard Madden set to star in drama about Italy's Medici family http://www.snsanalytics.com/XskGy2

Don't we sorta already have that with DaVinci's Demons?

 

[French Rage]

Re: TV, or not TV, that is the question

I'm working my way through Orange is the New Black season 3. I'm through 4 episodes and so far, it isn't as bad as some have made it out to be. It isn't as good as the first season, but it isn't terrible, IMO. Maybe it goes downhill from here?

Nah it's OK all the way through. There's isn't the newness of the first season, and perhaps it's lost a little focus as it's gone on, but it's not as bad as people are pretending.

 

[Handyman]

Re: TV, or not TV, that is the question

Nah it's OK all the way through. There's isn't the newness of the first season, and perhaps it's lost a little focus as it's gone on, but it's not as bad as people are pretending.

Or maybe we just find it meandering and dumb. No we must be pretending

What other shows do I hate but actually like...please tell me cause I gots ta know

 

[Tiggsy]

Re: TV, or not TV, that is the question

I'm working my way through Orange is the New Black season 3. I'm through 4 episodes and so far, it isn't as bad as some have made it out to be. It isn't as good as the first season, but it isn't terrible, IMO. Maybe it goes downhill from here?

I thought it was good. The season certainly takes a different direction with the main character which I thought was a interesting. Not sure I'd but it on the same level as season 1, but still decent.

 

[French Rage]

Re: TV, or not TV, that is the question

What other shows do I hate but actually like...please tell me cause I gots ta know

Deep down you think NCIS is a non-stop thrill ride.

 

[Handyman]

Re: TV, or not TV, that is the question

Deep down you think NCIS is a non-stop thrill ride.

That is actually true...I like NCIS.

 

[bostonewe]

Re: TV, or not TV, that is the question

That is actually true...I like NCIS.

Original or spin-offs? Or both?

 

[Handyman]

Re: TV, or not TV, that is the question

Original or spin-offs? Or both?

Original is best...the spin offs I watch at work for background noise mostly

 

[jerphisch]

Re: TV, or not TV, that is the question

I wouldn't say scary -- nothing on TV can ever really be scary (other than politicians). But it's very disturbing and interesting. If you're going to try it out I'd recommend season 1 or 3. They were more traditional. Season 2 I didn't see. Season 4 was probably the deepest and most fascinating, but it was also extremely unpleasant.

AHS is a unique experiment for American television -- it's about very different emotions and reactions than most people are used to in "entertainment." I'm amazed it's lasted -- it is definitely not for everyone.

I thought Season 2 was better than 3, you should check it out. 3 was the weakest of the bunch, drawn out way too long but had a very solid last couple episodes.

 

[The Rube]

Re: TV, or not TV, that is the question

I thought Season 2 was better than 3, you should check it out. 3 was the weakest of the bunch, drawn out way too long but had a very solid last couple episodes.

Was it Asylum, Voodoo, and then Circus?

The voodoo one I am really interested in. Heard the Circus one is insanely creepy.

 

[Kepler]

Re: TV, or not TV, that is the question

Was it Asylum, Voodoo, and then Circus?

The voodoo one I am really interested in. Heard the Circus one is insanely creepy.

1. Murder House
2. Asylum
3. Coven
4. Freaks

Coven is the most stylish and beautiful. Murder House is the most intimate and emotional. Freaks is looking into the abyss -- it's distilled creepiness. I didn't watch Asylum because it looked like torture porn -- no thanks. I may circle around and try it again because I can't believe the people capable of the other three would stoop to that.

Five will be Hotel, and will be the first without Jessica Lange.

 

[Kepler]

Re: TV, or not TV, that is the question

I thought Season 2 was better than 3, you should check it out. 3 was the weakest of the bunch, drawn out way too long but had a very solid last couple episodes.

I disagree about 3. I did not see 2 so I can't comment.

 

[The Rube]

Re: TV, or not TV, that is the question

Haunted House, Asylum, Witch/Voodoo, Freaks.

Witch/Voodoo is the most stylish and beautiful. Haunted House is the most intimate and emotional. Freaks is just creepy. I didn't watch Asylum because it looked like pure torture porn -- no thanks. I may circle around and try it again because I can't believe the people capable of the other three would stoop to that.

Five will be Hotel.

No interest in House, Asylum was the first to get my curiosity, Witch/Voodoo REALLY got me curious, and Freaks I am unsure of. I agree on what you heard about Asylum, though, hence my hesitation until I heard about the Voodoo. It's the same reason I have no interest in movies like Saw/etc. Too blatant. If it's subtle, more mental...now we're talking...

 

[Kepler]

Re: TV, or not TV, that is the question

No interest in House, Asylum was the first to get my curiosity, Witch/Voodoo REALLY got me curious, and Freaks I am unsure of. I agree on what you heard about Asylum, though, hence my hesitation until I heard about the Voodoo. It's the same reason I have no interest in movies like Saw/etc. Too blatant. If it's subtle, more mental...now we're talking...

Saw I was actually very good. I hate torture porn, but the original Saw reminded me of the hard core parts of Videodrome.

Masha: Videodrome. What you see on that show, it's for real. It's not acting. It's snuff TV.
Max Renn: I don't believe it.
Masha: So, don't believe.
Max Renn: Why do it for real? It's easier and safer to fake it.
Masha: Because it has something that you don't have, Max. It has a philosophy.

The bad news for you is that none of the AHS shows are particularly subtle or suggestive. That's not what they're doing. They're effing with our expectation from canned entertainment in the form of horror and trying to jar us out of the sleepwalking of the horror genre. They're not doing this with brutality, but they are doing it by, if you'll pardon one word of jargon, transgressing the boundaries that we rely on in our entertainment, and that make it such a nice, soothing servant of corporate advertising and culture. TV is supposed to turn your brain off so you'll buy more. This is more like art, designed to turn your brain and your nervous system up to 11 so you can get clear of all the garbage.