The Clicker Jumps On The Bandwagon

Generally when it comes to TV shows that are getting a lot of hype, there are three types of people. We have the hypers: These are the people who have been watching the series from the beginning and rave about it constantly. We have the anti-hypers: These are the people who claim to hate the show but haven’t really given it a fair shot and whether they’re willing to admit it or not, dislike the hype more than they actually dislike the series. Then there are those of us who jump on the bandwagon when they hear that a series is great. In general, I count myself among the latter group but that wasn’t always the case.

Once upon a time, I thought if I hadn’t discovered a TV show on my own, it probably wasn’t worth watching. I guess you could say I was an anti-hyper. Take Buffy the Vampire Slayer for example. If you’ve read my previous columns, you’re probably all too aware of my love of all things Whedon and yeah, I tend to gush about Buffy but my experience in watching the series for the first time is really the best example I have to explain my transformation from an anti-hyper to a bandwagon jumper. Before I gave Buffy a chance I didn’t understand how a show about a teenager who killed vampires could be as great as everyone said it was. The series aired for seven years and while I was fully aware of its existence as well as its growing popularity (and obsessive fanbase), I refused to watch it. Two years after the Buffy ended I finally caved and watched a few episodes with my husband. I became instantly hooked and preceded to watch the entire series on DVD. While I have absolutely no regrets about watching the series in its entirety multiple times since then, I am sad that I was too stubborn to give in and watch the show when it was on. There’s really something to be said for getting to watch a series unfold season after season.

Falling in love with Buffy, followed quickly by Angel and Firefly (all thanks to TV on DVD) taught me a lesson. Sometimes when people say something’s great, it really is. Sure, it’s nice to be able to say that you started watching a show right from the beginning. It feels better to be on the bandwagon from the start than to have to admit that you were one of the people who jumped on board because of the hype. I’m at the point though where I really don’t care. Good TV is good TV. If enough people say its good, there’s a good chance that it is. There are obvious exceptions to that of course. Millions tune in to Dancing with the Stars each season and I’ve really tried to get into that show but I just don’t get it. It does absolutely nothing for me, regardless of which celebrities are involved. I did give the series a chance though. This is something I probably wouldn’t have bothered with, had I not come to learn that sometimes the masses are right. Sometimes.

On the plus side, following the hype has lead me to watch some great shows like Battlestar Galactica, Veronica Mars, Alias, Arrested Development and 24. So given the fact that most of the current TV shows are off the air due to the strike, maybe its time to give in and rent one of those shows you’ve been hearing so many great things about.

Are there any favorite shows that you started watching due to the hype? Post a comment below!


What to Watch (12/23 to 12/29)



Amazing Race 12 (CBS) 8:00ish pm
This Is Forever, Now - (New!) The remaining teams travel to Italy. One of the teams considers doing something permanent to their bodies to get ahead in the race.

Wonderful World of Disney: The Santa Clause 2 (ABC) 9:00 pm
In this surprisingly decent sequel, Scott Calvin has to return home to try and find a wife otherwise he’ll lose his Santa powers. Watch it if only to see Elizabeth Mitchell before she got all mysterious as Juliet on Lost.



A Christmas Story (TBS) 8:00 pm
Let the marathon begin! TBS launches their annual Christmas Story marathon. The classic movie about a kid and his dream of getting a BB Gun for Christmas will air on TBS all night and throughout Christmas. Even if you’ve seen it a million times, its always a good flick to have on the TV in the background while enjoying some yuletide cheer with the fam. Ho. Ho. Hooooo.



Home Alone (FX) 8:00 pm
Whether or not this is technically a Christmas movie has been an ongoing debate at the Cinema Blend forum. Regardless, the movie is full of Christmas cheer. In this family-friendly comedy, Kevin McAllister is left home alone when his family accidentally leaves him behind when they go on vacation to France. Its up to him to protect his home against two burglars.



Crowned: The Mother of All Pageants (The CW) 9:00 pm
Attack of the Beauty Queens (New!) – One of the moms overhears some of the other contestants talking behind people’s backs and a screaming match ensues.



30 Rock (NBC) 8:30 pm
Jack Gets in the Game (rerun) – Jack goes up against Devin Banks when both make a play for the top job at GE.

Family Television Awards (The CW) 9:00 pm
(New!) – Family-friendly TV is celebrated at this award show. This year, among the TV shows and movies that are acknowledged are Heroes, Pushing Daisies, Ugly Betty, High School Musical 2 and Planet Earth.



The Karate Kid (ABC Family) 7:30 p.m.
Any child of the 80’s had to love this movie. Ralph “whatever happened to him?” Macchio plays a kid who moves with his mom to California. After he gets the crap beat out of him by the school bully, he starts taking karate lessons from the maintenance man at his apartment building and soon becomes and kickass martial arts master. Sweep the leg!



National Treasure (USA) 7:30 p.m.
If there’s one person who can make American History seem exciting, it has to be Nicolas Cage. In this action movie, Cage’s character hunts for treasure using his keen knowledge of our nation’s history.