It's the time of year where we learn the fate of our favorite shows and we get a glimpse into what pilots the networks are picking up for fall. I have always been amazed why certain shows like Jersey Shore receive a renewal, when others like Community sit in the wings.
It all comes down to the viewers themselves and an archaic ratings system (but I'm not going to go there.) Today, I'm going to discuss television viewers and the categories we all fit into. There are so many different types of viewers, I'm going to look at view specific "types," but feel free to add your own in the comments.
First, we have the "shipper" -- that is, someone who is desperate for a certain couple to get together, remain together, etc. These people are in it for the long haul. They love their specific couple and want anyone who gets in the way to disappear. Some common couples that people are obsessed with include: Bones and Booth (Bones); Andy and Sam (Rookie Blue); Castle and Beckett (Castle); Eric and Sookie (True Blood). The list goes on, but we're all guilty of it.
Some take it a bit further than others, tweeting show runners when they mess with their favorite couple. Some even go as far as to boycott the show until they get the relationship back on track.
I know that there were A LOT of angry fans when Booth and Bones were just suddenly having a baby, without seeing the relationship evolve. Personally, I love that Hart Hanson had the insight to make that move. His bravery in making such a bold jump is what helped keep the story fresh.
Next, we have the "rubber-necker" -- someone who admits to watching reality TV because it's like a train wreck they just have to watch. This type of viewer is often found watching reality shows such as The Real Housewives of... "anywhere," Jersey Shore, The Bachelor, anything with The Kardashians, Paris Hilton, or other annoying people.
Let's face it. These shows are as fake as they come. Those housewives are so far from real, they smell plastic, and I still hope the people on Jersey Shore are faking being that intellectually challenged.
It may seem like useless TV to some, but to these viewers, it's an escape. They eat it up like candy, and because of that, the networks throw more at us. It's an overflowing piñata full of mediocre television. That isn't to say all reality television is bad. I do enjoy some, like The Amazing Race and Top Chef. However, I'm referring to the shows that go to the edge of crazy and jump over.
Another type of viewer is the "Hater" -- the person who watches a show and does nothing but complain about it. I bet if you take a minute, you can think of someone on your Twitter or Facebook that constantly tears a specific show apart while watching.
Yes, I am a digital journalist. I criticize television -- it's what I do. These people watch a show religiously just to complain about how bad it is. If this show is SO astronomically terrible that you feel the need to tear it apart weekly, then stop giving the show ratings. Makes sense, doesn't it?
On the flip side of the "Hater" is the "Diehard" -- this is a person who watches a show religiously and cannot admit when the show isn't good anymore. They will defend the show with their last breath, simply because they love it.
"I just love it." That is not an explanation as to why you watch. At least tell me you love the characters, the writing, or even the incredibly attractive cast. Please be honest. You can definitely still love a show when it's not as good as it used to be, but at least admit when it's failing. Some examples of these shows (a couple which I am guilty of myself): Glee, CSI, NCIS, and House.
Glee is my guilty pleasure, my feel good, happy song weekly. It's not perfect, and Season 2 will go down as one of the rockiest seasons of a show ever. I love it because it makes me happy, but I can admit that it has distinct faults.
There are so many more roads I could go down with this, but frankly, I'm running out of allowed space. At the end of the day, we all watch TV for different reasons and in different ways. I am a smorgasbord of a couple of viewer types, but whatever type you are -- own it! Just remember that how we watch television shapes how the networks plan their schedules and contributes to the fate of the shows.
Follow Megan Ward on Twitter: www.twitter.com/@BaffledAddict
I dont watch a will they wont they storyline over several years for the show to break them up within a few episodes! I'm such of a die-hard I can't see the wood for the trees. Perhaps it was time for Star Trek to take a break, but no one will convince me season 4 of enterprise wasn't one of the stromgest Star Trek seasons ever! But I guess on shows like Friends and Will & Grace I knew it was time to say goodbye.
Thankfully im not a rubber-necker I refuse to watch anything that comes under that catagory. I'm currently work hard to erase the word 'Kardashian' out of my mind, and of the talent shows I only watch Strictly come dancing.
It's about british sci-fi and fantasy for me at mo. I cant reccomend Doctor Who Torchwood, Misfits or Being human enough..Americans should keep their eye on a comedy show called "Benidorm" - You'll be remaking soon enough...Although I imagine if Fox remake it, it will be set in Aruba.
I will not watch or cover, Kardashians, Jersey Shore or any of that other reality garbage. I don't want to pump my fist with them, and I don't want to see Snooki flash her privates on national TV.
Doctor Who, Torchwood, Being Human are all amazing. I love them all, British versions and I like some of the American remakes.
Thanks for reading and commenting :)
The handling of Bones S5/6 can hardly be called brave, bold or insightful. It was simply the result of forestalling the relationship that kept "Shippers" hooked for five long years. Erecting barriers to keep the central couple apart that were too ridiculous for words. S6 was no great creative feat, it was simply a very messy spanner in the works.
The bold jump into the relationship was brought about by real life circumstances when Emily Deschanel was expecting her first child. That brave, insightful leap not so much creative forethought more like a story dropping into your lap.
Would Shakespeare have been brave to have the story of Romeo & Juliet distilled down to "Romeo meets Juliet at a party...some time later they are both found dead." Would the Bard have laughed that it would fix all those "Shippers" that constantly harassed him at The Globe?
It is hardly stellar advice to all those that toil in literature or film/TV media that if you reach a difficult part in the plot...jump over it and watch how the audience thinks it’s an innovative decision.
Is it any wonder with decisions like this members of the audience could be labelled "Angry?" Sometimes anger is misguided and sometimes the writers don't have all the answers. Just look how the "Angry" audience took Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's decision to throw Sherlock Holmes off Reichenbach Falls...
To each their own, but thanks for commenting. :)
Thanks for giving another viewer type.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmxFY0xjAVc&feature=player_embedded
Lovely way to speak to a woman, eh?
But again thanks for taking the time to share the opinion, I'm always interested in other's views.
As for ER, when Dr. Green died I cried too. I loved ER.
Cheers. At leat Public TV had a great bio on Annie Oakley!..don't know what I'd do without PBS! :-)
Copper-Someone who watches an endless slew of cop dramas and slight variations on the same CSI show because they cannot figure out they're all essentially the same show.
Talent Junkie-Someone who watches American Idol, The X Factor, America's Got Talent, So You Think You Can Dance, Dancing with the Stars, and The Voice because they cannot figure out they're all essentially the same show.
Castaway-Someone who watches the 50th season of Survivor because they haven't realized the premise of the show hasn't changed and they're still being spoon fed the same characters.
Gleeker-Someone who appreciated the beginning of Glee and what it could have been, but quickly realized what shoddy TV it is.
No-Brainers-Someone who watches all of "TV's number 1 comedies" such as The Big Bang Theory, Two and a Half Men, How I Met Your Mother, 2 Broke Girls, or Whitney, and can't figure out they're all similarly staged comedies that don't require a brain to understand.
Tube-Heads-Anyone who watches shows on HBO, Showtime, or Starz and has an appreciation for shows that make you think or require brain activity to follow and don't like having their minds numbed by dime-a-dozen drivel on the main networks.
I actually like The Big Bang Theory, 2 Broke Girls and How I Met Your Mother. Those shows do not deserve to be in the same sentence as the garbage that is Whitney.
Thanks for all your types.
It took me 3 years to wean myself from the terrible monstrosity that is Gossip Girl. What can I say? I can tell you a million and one things wrong with GG, but they look so pretty in their gorgeous designer clothes and I do - did love Leighton Meester and Ed Westwick.
I'd also add The Lifer or The Pot-Committed. I am so guilty of this--watching a show simply because I've been watching since the beginning. It is way past it's prime, and I'll admit it. I'm just riding the show out until the end. :)
As for watching show simply because you've watched from the beginning. We all do that.