While most MamaPop writers have their fingers on the pulse of what's hot on TV, I tend to fall really behind on the boob-tube pop culture. I have basic cable, which I barely watch, and for long stretches of time I will only flip between Bravo, VH1, MTV and the Food Network, as though they were the only channels in my cable package. When I finally do catch on to a popular or critically acclaimed show, it's usually well into its run and, in some cases, after it has ended entirely. Usually this is okay with me — I get to watch it on my time, and if I can't wait to find out what happens, I just watch the next episode right then. It's like delayed instant gratification.
My most recent obsession is The L Word. I've now watched most of the first season and am officially hooked. While I love that I can pop to the video store when I'm dying to find out what happens next, there is a problem with watching years after the first season has aired.
See, I like to talk about television with other people who watched the same television program as me. It's the American way, practiced around water coolers from coast to coast. With my method of television consumption, however, if I talk to someone about what I'm watching, they usually treat me like I just came out of a time machine from 2004.
"Oh my god, I'm watching the first season of The L Word and I'm totally hooked!" I'll say. "That Jenny chick is CRAZY PANTS! I mean, like Melrose Place crazy."
This usually elicits one of two responses. Some of my friends have spoiled future seasons. Even more annoying than the spoilers is the, "where have you been?" reaction. Like, "wow, that sounds cool. Hey, did you read that story about Janet Jackson's nipple yet? Or that they passed gay marriage in Massachusetts? Who are you voting for, Bush or Kerry?"
I'm not sure what pisses me off more: the fact that I know what happens four seasons from where I am (not that I don't see it coming, hoo boy), or the fact that I get treated like I just woke up from a five-year coma every time I want to talk about how hot Shane is. Shane's hotness is for the ages, people, not just for 2004!
Even more annoying, I can't even filter my excitement about the show through episode recaps, like Kelly does with
True Blood and
Weeds or Heather's
Real Housewives posts. What would be the point in recapping a show you can download from Amazon or Netflix and watch your damn self?
I can't be alone in either my need to talk with others about the television I'm watching, nor the frustration when the television show I'm watching is one most people who were interested already watched years before me. Perhaps book-club-like coffee klatches for TV on DVD will be the wave of the future? I'm fairly certain I'll have to start a group soon for The L Word.
...Wanna join?
It could be a "video book club"...not unlike Infinite Summer...you watch the videos, and should reach a certain point, and then recap! it would be awesome!
Posted by: inkypop | June 30, 2009 at 11:19 AM
I just discovered The L Word about 6 months ago, and I've rented everything out there...but am still in the dark about the last season! LOVE IT and yeah, where the heck was I that it took me so long to discover it? Uh yeah, and Friday Eye Candy could totally just be a picture of anybody who's ever been on that show....
Posted by: Elaine | June 30, 2009 at 11:52 AM
OMG, SHANE!! Hawt.....!
Posted by: Haley-O | June 30, 2009 at 11:52 AM
I did something similar when I watched all 9 seasons of The X-Files last fall/winter. I *knew* they had aired a really long time ago and that I had seen some of them when they originally aired but i really wanted to talk about some of them but no one seemed interested in my "OMG that episode I just watched was awesome" conversation!
I like the past show recap idea. There are a lot of shows that we don't get here in Canada (or we get only on the pay channels that I'm too cheap for) and I want to watch them on DVD but won't have anyone to discuss them with.
Posted by: lori | June 30, 2009 at 11:53 AM
Yes, yes yes! I swear about 4 months ago I was in exactly the same spot you are in! I just happened to discover it on a rerun one night and was hooked!
and oh yes Shane is super hot!
Posted by: Ceece | June 30, 2009 at 01:43 PM
I would totally join, for the hotness of Shane alone.
Posted by: JennC | June 30, 2009 at 02:44 PM
Shane is so so yummy.
Sigh.
Posted by: Kim S. | June 30, 2009 at 02:44 PM
Love, love, love with a capital "L" the "L Word." Call me.
Posted by: Sheri | June 30, 2009 at 03:24 PM
*starts catfight with all MamaPop readers over Shane* :)
Posted by: daisybones | June 30, 2009 at 03:52 PM
There were a LOT of hot women on that show.
Posted by: Suzy Q | June 30, 2009 at 05:37 PM
The AV Club does recaps of old shows - they're working on Buffy season 3 right now - so no reason you can't join in as well.
Posted by: Katharama | June 30, 2009 at 06:26 PM
I'm more of an Alice gal myself. I still haven't watched the last season, so no spoilers, please!!
Posted by: savia | June 30, 2009 at 06:36 PM