Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Thursday Thirteen #28 . . . 13 TV Shows I'm Embarrassed to Admit I Watch . . .

I don't watch a lot of television. Never have. But these days, I'm watching even less than in previous years. Frankly, most of the stuff that makes it on the tube either bores me or I find insulting. Yes, I am hard to please and most of the shows I do like, don't stay on for very long and/or a good number of folks find rather odd. Hey, such is life.

The only NEW prime-time series that currently interests me is Life On Mars. It's different enough to hold my attention, though I'm not sure for how long. At the present, the only prime-time series I watch with any degree of faithfulness, outside of NBC's Nightly News, is Brothers and Sisters. Like I already admitted, I'm weird like that (smile).

Even though I don't have any problems owning up to the fact that I enjoy a number of news programs, a variety of music specials and documentaries, as well as shows like HBO's Real Sports and The Wire, the following list is composed of TV shows I'm ashamed to admit, I have actually been known to sit down and watch from beginning to end. Sure, I watch them, but there's only one in the bunch that really has me hooked . . .

1) The First 48: I just started watching this over the summer. So all of the repeats are new to me. I'm not so sure why it fascinates me, other than the fact that I've been able to gain some insights into the minds of criminals and detectives. Perhaps this is research for some future novel? (smile) And of course, I especially enjoy the episodes filmed in Memphis. Gotta give it for the homefolk in the Dirty South.

2) Jon & Kate Plus Eight: Every time my son and I sit down to watch this show, the hubby leaves the room. He doesn't have to worrry, my dreams of having 4-5 kids have long since passed. Besides, watching this crew will most definitely make you think twice about having additional children.

3) Blues Clues: Well, only the reruns featuring my boy, Steve, mind you. This is one of those back down memory lane sorts of things. Blues Clues was the first show I allowed my son to watch as a preschooler.

4) Bridezilla: How these women, (particularly the ones who are tore up, from the floor up, as we used to say back in the day) get away with the crap they pull both amazes and amuses me.

5) The King of Queens: The hubby got me hooked on this over the summer after he talked me into watching an episode with him. Even though I do find the show funny and very well-written, something tells me the hubby identifies just a wee too much with that nit-wit Doug.

6) Divorce Court: While I'll watch any of them, I prefer the reruns with Judge Mabelean. She cracks me up.

7) Real Sex: What can I say, other than it appeals to my inner freak (LOL)?

8) Soul Train: I doubt this one comes as any real surprise. The fact that I'm old school has been well established.

9) Joel Osteen: "Don't drink the Kool-Aid!" is what I used to whisper at my hubby whenever I'd catch him watching a Joel Osteen broadcast. But one day, I sat down and listened for a minute and even though I'm still a little leery of dude's smile, I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.

10) Inside Edition: Mainly, I watch this show in order to get my entertainment news and because I'm generally too lazy to get up after the evening news goes off.

11) Buy Me: Since in recent years it always seems like I'm in the process of either buying or selling a house, this show appeals to me.

12) Funniest Home Videos: Just call me a sucker for silly cat, dog and baby videos.

13) Oprah: It's only been in recent years that I've become ashamed of being such a hardcore Oprah fan. But yes, I've watched her show ever since it hit the airwaves One of the best things about living in Charlotte is that Opie's show is repeated in the evenings, so I don't ever have to worry about having to record or miss a show. But don't worry, you'll never catch me on one of her "favorite things" give-away specials screaming like an idiot. That's so uncool (LOL). I also don't typcially don't bother to watch the show when she's doing her in-depth celebrity interviews. Sorry, celebrities just aren't my thing, unless, of course, we're talking about somebody like, PRINCE!

So what shows do you watch that might surprise those who THINK they know you?

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here! The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others' comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

20 comments:

Michelle said...

I have to agree with you. There's not much on TV these day's with substance. Though I have to say Brothers and Sisters Rocks! I never miss a show. I'm addicted. Happy TT and thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Life On Mars was good last week. It is an American version of a British show that aired here last year and as far as I can tell that was pretty much word for word the same script, with some details changed because of the NYC setting. LOM was only 16 episodes long from start to finish in England, but I suspect that if it is a success ABC will drag it out year after year (like NBC have done for the US version of The Office). I am willing to bet a million dollars that the US Life On mars won't end the way the British one did!

Sharon said...

I've not seen several of these.
Every now & then I get caught up in Jon & Kate, but I can only handle that show in small doses. ;)

What got canceled but I miss is Journeyman. I thought that was a good one.

Anonymous said...

i love Steve too,over Joe,i think Joe is OA!
http://www.fickleminded.net/2008/10/15/thursday-thirteen-3/

SJ Reidhead said...

I am so not an Oprah fan. Thus said, I don't think I watch anything on your list. I have a tendency to go for the Sci Fi Channel, and the science things.

SJR
The Pink Flamingo
http://thepinkflamingo.blogharbor.com/blog/_archives/2008/10/15/3932491.html

~Just Me Miranda~ said...

I love Jon & Kate plus eight, mostly cuz the lil ones are so cute. Can't stand that Maddy kid though. The rest I can take or leave.

Great List!
Happy TT!

Lori said...

Ive only seen a few of those...we went and seen Americas Funniest Home Video in person...very cool. Real Sex?? Does it show REAL SEX??? Hmmmm, HBO right? Great list. Happy TT.

SandyCarlson said...

OK. So I'll admit I see more Disney than I ever thought I would not that my daughter is 9.....

I remember watching Oprah in the 1990s when I lived in Ireland. I remember thinking "how American."

Anonymous said...

I used to watch Real Sex too.

The only show I watch with any regularity anymore is Eureka on the Sci-fi channel.

Unknown said...

No way will I admit to some of the shows my girls have hooked me on LOL Fun list. Happy T13!

marcia@joyismygoal said...

I cuncur on Oprah to say i heard on Oprah carries so much less credibility than it did several years ago

Anonymous said...

I enjoy Life on Mars.

I also watch Real Sex....

Happy TT!

Anonymous said...

What a great list! I think we all have our guilty pleasure shows - Jon and Kate Plus Eight is definitely one of mine too!

Have a great TT!

Malcolm said...

You shouldn't be ashamed of watching "Soul Train". Even if the episodes are over 20 years old, it's still the "hippest trip in America".

As for shows that I watch which might surprise some, I occasionally watch some of the Disney sitcoms (Hannah Montana, That's So Raven, The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, etc.).

Meju said...

My girls and I love Jon and Kate plus 8! Happy TT.

pussreboots said...

Most of your list I haven't heard of and I haven't actually watched any of them. Happy TT.

Anonymous said...

Cheaters. That's got to be the most ignorant show on television, but I do watch it if I'm up late on Sunday night here in Cleveland. I can't believe people sign a consent form to be seen on that show. Here in Cleveland, Channel 19 news also is an embarrassment. One of the reporters was film butt naked and drunk at bar in Florida. Another did a report on a photographer who filmed hundreds of people -- including her -- in the nude. The story didn't appear until sweeps week. There were a bunch of titilating promos before the story ran.

Yasmin said...

Happy TT and I watch ANTM. ;)
http://www.apooobooks.com/thursday-thirteen-scariest-time-life

pjazzypar said...

I watch the SOOOOOOUUUUULLLLL TRRRRAAAAIIINNN! I am not really embarrassed, but I have seen every episode of "Hannah Montana" and I just love the theme song. Happy TT!

Cindy Swanson said...

I also love King of Queens...it's one of those shows that I don't get excited about when it first comes on, then I get hooked and I'm laughing like crazy!

Shows that people would be surprised I've watched? Maybe MTV's "The Real World"...I really got into a marathon of that a few years ago...but I haven't really watched it since.

Stop by my TT when you get a moment!