Television in 2011, Part 1

HBO announced today that they've cancelled ‘Hung’, ‘How to Make it in America’, and ‘Bored to Death’ in favour of the renewal or introduction of  programming.

I know that 'Hung' was about a bored guy who decides to override the monotony of his life with a new side career as a prostitute. I kept meaning to see this show because I find Thomas Jane exceedingly attractive in a really dirty way but I haven't seen him in anything that has validated my feelings. Synopses for 'How to Make it in America' relate ambitious, pretentious people trying to make it big in the fashion industry. I have always completely missed the point that high fashion tries to make. Hell, its largest employee pool hasn't hit puberty yet, so I have to say I don't feel connected to all of the parties involved. 'Bored' sounded boring, or at least like a little too much work for what I got out of it. I enjoy Zach Galifianakis, but I have to be in the right mood for his brand of heightened indifference.

I really didn't watch a lot of TV this year that I hadn't been watching in previous years. I watched a lot less, and grew a lot more impatient what I did see.

The Worst

Two and a Half Men. I can’t say as there was anything that could have been done about Charlie, but the show’s done. I’m so sorry, Chuck.

Jersey Shore. I don't know where the fuck they found these vapid fleshbags. I think Snooki was in Toronto a little while ago, and I was thoroughly dismayed to hear she was in my city. THESE people are interesting? THESE people? I have a fat and weirdly affectionate cat with extra toes at home. If I spray paint her orange and post pictures of her, will she become inexplicably popular? No. Because my cat is really, really smart. 

Reality Television. Reality television has crippled television. Even the original reality series, Survivor, has turned into a bastion of stupidity, and spectacle for spectacle’s sake. The exception seems to be a handful of competitive cooking shows that hold up simply because good cuisine is an art form and art still appeals to some people. Gordon Ramsay is an talented and entertaining bastard, and watching him hand some entitled saladboy his own ass is wildly enjoyable. Also, some women still eat.