I Hate TV

I might come as a surprise, but I hate television.  Where I have a tendency to watch several shows to satisfy my pop culture addiction, they remain viewed via Netflix or dvd and rarely is said show current.

Far too many of the shows that get popularized today are nothing short of awful.  They're predictable, poorly written, and frankly leave something to be desired.  Sure there are outliers, I for one am quite fond of Breaking Bad as well as Archer, nor can I wait for the next series of Sherlock to be released on Netflix.  Setting that aside, this generation of "reality" TV is likely one of the worst offenders of this premise.  These shows are nothing short of retarded. (my apologies to any mentally disable individual for making a comparison to such an awful concept)  From the brainchild of heartless capitalism, these programs are created for the sole purpose of profiting off the poor bastards weak-minded enough to place themselves in such torturous conditions.  If it weren't bad enough that these shows are typically kept for several seasons, those that do provide quality programming are canceled well before their time. (I'm looking at you Fox)  Arrested Development, Firefly, Better Off Ted, Bored to Death, Family Guy (twice), The Tick...the list goes on.  Many of these shows have active cult followings to them, meanwhile we're forced to endure another season of The Jersey Shore.

I find it disturbing that television controls so much of our lives.
After a long day of work we fanatically rush home to our telly to which we hopelessly depend on in order to be entertained.  People plan their agenda around their TV schedule, and where that used to be the only way to keep up to date on a program, it's no longer the case.  We have the internet, dvds, and reruns out the ass  to prevent us from knowing who got kicked off Idol the night before; so there's no excuse for television to run our lives, but it continues to do so. (god forbid you miss another shitty episode of Glee)  Here we are, completely held captive by an inanimate object, and we don't do a thing to prevent it.

If it wasn't bad enough that we glued to our TV routine, it's all anyone talks about when they aren't watching TV.
"Did you catch the Jersey Shore last night?", "Who do you think is going to win on The Voice?", "Did you see the Tosh.0 when...."
I've had enough!  Jesus Christ, as if it wasn't bad enough that we're helplessly dependent in catching our shows while they air, but we no longer have anything interesting to say.
"How've you been?"

"Fine"

"What've you been up to?"

"Nothing"

"Umm...Have you been watching South Park?"

"OOOO, South Park?! Did you see the episode..."

Due to our obsession with TV we've lost interest in our own lives and are content is allowing fictional characters live them for us through predictable plots and catchphrases.  We're too tired all the time to go do something, and when we aren't, we aren't nearly creative enough to decide on something interesting.  As time progresses it becomes all too common.  What the fuck happened to people wanting to do something fun?  To get in trouble?  To try something crazy?  We've gained an understanding that it's no longer required to do anything simply because once a week, Barney, on How I Met Your Mother, does something childish which we pretend to relate to and laugh about.

All too often, especially around here, do people complain that there isn't anything to do.  I suppose it's become too much to ask that the individual becomes creative when filling their waking hours.  Then we have those individuals that constantly suggest crazy, outrageous things to do, but never act upon them; talk is cheap. (you aren't fooling anyone asshole)  Meet me once you know how to have fun.