I’m working on an essay for Benbella Books, for a compilation they’re doing for their SmartPop series on the show Supernatural, my favorite show on TV. So, I’ve been re-watching the first two seasons, taking notes to support the theme of my essay. It’s interesting what you catch when you’re watching something analytically versus just for fun. And though I already knew it, it’s striking me again just how good this show really is — great writing, great acting, totally fun and believable relationship between the brothers. Thank you, Eric Kripke!
I was talking to my husband yesterday about how different our TV viewing choices are. I like certain shows and don’t want to miss a single episode. That’s because I like shows that have a developing story arc over time. If you miss an episode, you miss a valuable part of the arc. Hubby, on the other hand, watches programs at random as he’s surfing, stuff you can miss and it won’t matter. For instance: Me (Supernatural or Moonlight) versus Hubby (South Park or The Colbert Report). I think our viewing choices are also reflected in our reading choices. Hubby watches Book TV on C-SPAN on the weekends, which makes sense because he’s almost exclusively a nonfiction reader (and really smart dude). I like shows that have stories to tell, just like my preference for fiction. I do think I’m more likely to read a nonfiction work than he is a fiction work, though he will be reading my published books — good hubby that he is. 
Same goes for TV. I’ve watched some Book TV, and I really enjoy The Daily Show. But I don’t see hubby giving in to weekly watching of Bones anytime soon.
April 5th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
So, speaking of TV, did you get the BG premiere last night?! I have to say, when I was in college, I watched a lot of sitcoms. Friends, Mad About You, that kind of stuff. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve become a big fan of complicated arcs (Joss influenced that a lot!) but for those of without Tivo, it also makes viewing more complicated. Dh and I have dropped entire shows because they fell on a bad night for us and we just couldn’t keep up with the taping. If I miss an episode of Project Runway or How I met Your Mother, I can always jump in later with no problem.
April 5th, 2008 at 11:52 pm
Yep, saw the BSG premiere and have my own theory percolating. I used to watch more sitcoms too, but like you, Tanya, I’ve gravitated toward the dramas now. The only sitcom I watch is Back to You with Kelsey Grammar and Patricia Heaton. Oh, and I love my TiVo because I’m not attached to appointment TV anymore. It’s like high-speed Internet, once you have it you never want to go back.
April 6th, 2008 at 11:57 am
>>>I love my TiVo
Oh, sure, rub it in! *g*
April 6th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
Heh – I like the Colbert Report… :X I only watch a few shows so I don’t even know what those abbreviations are for. I did start watching Eli Stone on abc, and like it a lot thus far.
Hehe – as to Supernatural, you should talk to Megan Hart. She gushes about it constantly!