In recent years, I’ve come to prefer two types of television shows. Those that serve as “filler,” as background or white noise to which I pay little attention. And those that are both compelling and uplifting. Additionally, If you’re curious about how much does wild n out cast make, you can actually check out these article if you want to.
I acknowledge there’s a lot of very well-done television that is compelling but may not be uplifting. Those shows just are not for me.
Let me explain.
The World is Dark
As I’m sure you all know, I work and live in the dark and difficult world of politics. My reality consists largely of malevolent or cowardly characters with whom the “good guys” battle. We work feverishly to protect the world from self-interested forces eager to rig the system to their benefit. Our adversaries are too often corrupt or too supportive of a capitalist system that benefits them. Benefits them at the expense of those without means, financial or otherwise, to fight back.
In this world, the “bad guys” win far too often for my taste. Especially, it seems, these days.
In the U.S., we’re seeing increasing divisions. Exploding wealth disparities. The terrifying rise of fascism. Stupidity, selfishness, cowardice, corruption, and deceit seem to rule the day. And they appear to be growing stronger. The real world in which I work and live is compelling enough. It’s rarely uplifting or hopeful.
So, if television is meant to be a distraction from our lot in life, I can’t help but be puzzled by the appeal of shows like Game of Thrones (GOT), Squid Game, or House of Cards.
With few exceptions, I prefer my TV to be lighter.
The West Wing, the Newsroom, Ted Lasso, Parks and Recreation, Doctor Who, Star Trek, and the like are my go-tos. The exceptions may be some science fiction, but even in those cases, the “good guys” win in the end.
Dark Dramas
Years ago, before the show’s apparently disappointing conclusion, Game of Thrones was all the rage. When stepping out for a smoke break, I would often listen to my fellow addicts talk about the most recent GOT episode. Not being an HBO subscriber, I’d not seen the show. But listening to them, I grew curious.
Then, two of my favorite shows, The West Wing and Doctor Who, moved to that platform. It was reason enough to shell out another $5 a month to subscribe. And once I did, I gave GOT, as well as another show popular at the capitol, House of Cards, a try. I didn’t get very far with either.
House of Cards
There’s no denying House of Cards was a brilliantly done show. It had compelling characters perfectly cast. It had suspenseful and engaging storylines. And, as so many of my friends and colleagues would point out to me, it was “realistic.”
It was that indeed. There was no shine to the show. It was textbook Machiavellian politics at the U.S. Capitol.
Kevin Spacey was so brilliant in the show, along with so many others. So, when I’d come to the end of an episode incensed about how there were no redeeming characters for whom to root, I’d watch the next episode anyway. Until I got to the first episode of the second season. In it the idealistic, if not determined journalist, played by Kate Mara, is killed by Spacey’s character. He pushes her off the platform in front of an oncoming Metro train.
That was it for me. I turned it off right there and never went back.
It was too… realistic for me. Too Machiavellian. Too much a reminder of the kind of shit I experienced in my professional life. Minus the sex and murder. Yes, it was well-written and well-acted. But I couldn’t, and can’t, understand why anyone would subject themselves to that kind of “entertainment” voluntarily. Especially if they work in politics.
Game of Thrones
An epic fantasy story with compelling characters, majestic and sweeping landscapes… and dragons, GOT had potential.
I only made it, I think, four or five episodes into the series before giving it up as well. Unlike House of Cards, this show very clearly had “good guys” and bad guys”. But it very quickly became clear to me that the good guys weren’t the “heroes,” so to speak. Every episode I watched seemed one of the good guys was killed. Gruesomely.
Aside from having too many characters for me to keep track of, this constant killing of the good guys early on was more than enough for me to set it down.
Similarly, I couldn’t and can’t understand why people would watch this show. In the real world, the “good guys” are constantly losing. Sure, maybe they’re not gruesomely murdered. Still. I couldn’t stomach it and haven’t watched an episode since. Nor will I watch the prequel now airing. It’s just not for me.
Inspiring and Hopeful
When I want to sit down and take a break from my job and passion, I choose lighter stuff.
Those who know me know my love for The West Wing, which I’ve seen probably a dozen times. Or more. Created and written by Aaron Sorken, it is great television. At least those seasons he’s written. Funny, thoughtful, and hopeful, The West Wing is everything I want (or need) from television. It’s a distraction while being ancillary to the work I do.
The same can be said for The Newsroom, also created and written by Aaron Sorken (like whom I wish I could write).
Parks and Recreation is similarly ancillary while being far more tongue-in-cheek. It’s so funny and goofy. While also being about government and providing a more hopeful outlook on the work I do.
More recently, Ted Lasso has become one of my new all-time favorites. It’s also goofy. And has great characters and a compelling story arc. The main character is optimistic, arguably, to a fault. But it works. More than any other show, I think, Ted Lasso gives me hope in humanity. Even though it’s about Soccer, which I couldn’t care less about, the characters and story are just… lovely. And so funny.
If you haven’t already, sign-up for Apple TV+ just to watch that show. I promise it’s worth the time. And if you wait until the conclusion of the next (and supposedly, last) season, you can binge-watch the whole thing with a free 30-day trial. Do it.
Star Trek and Doctor Who are different in that they’re not usually funny. But Star Trek takes a very positive and hopeful view of humanity by portraying a future that’s collaborative, socialist, absent strife, or poverty, etc. Doctor Who is both a tragic and inspirational figure. An individual who has lived for centuries, travels space and time helping people and stopping injustice. And neither he nor his ship, carry any weapons. There aren’t many, if any other, science fiction shows that do that. Despite all he’s seen and done, he continues to reach for the best in those around him.
T.V. That’s Optimistic
We need way more of this on television.
People want distractions from their lots. I get it. What I don’t understand, what I’ll probably never understand, is why people choose to watch shows with crime and death and “reality” in them.
I get enough of that by just being conscious. T.V. should be a distraction. And one that delivers a more hopeful and inspirational view of the world. That’s something I think we could all use more of.