Guilty, guilty, guilty pleasures
Posted by Maggie
August 23rd, 2006 at 10:24am
In Guilty Pleasures
So I've been trying to think of a way to rationalize my sudden and totally undeserved love of Smallville. There's been a lot of soul-searching, some tough questions asked, and deep thinking about the place of television in my life. And plenty of staring at Tom Welling.
Lately I've been meeting a lot of people who say that they don't watch TV, which, fine, that's cool, but does kind of (okay, always, and immediately) make me go into defensive mode, where I try to explain that Deadwood is the equal (if not superior) to any movie you could name and many books as well and that I do not enjoy Veronica Mars ironically and I'm not just sitting letting the pretty images wash over me and lull me into a consumerist stupor etc, etc, etc.
Unfortunately, my self-righteous "TV is art" argument loses all its steam when it comes to Smallville. Because, and I don't know if you know this, but Smallville… is not that great. The writing is bland and often awkward, the episodes are paint-by-numbers structured, Kristin Kreuk is acting disabled, and massive gaps in logic and sense occur in almost every single episode.
I can't defend it. I wouldn't recommend it. Here's all I've got.
Sometimes, and I'm sure I'm not alone here, I want to watch something that doesn't require my full and rapt concentration. While I'm having a snack, for example. Or painting my toenails. Or just really tired. This is the time that most people would turn on HGTV or Made or whatever Adam Sandler movie is playing on TBS, but I'm spoiled now: I can't take the commercials. So I'll save a couple Smallvilles just in case.
Also, it is occasionally nice to feel smarter than the show that I'm watching. Watching Smallville can make anyone believe they're a freaking genius.
And finally, I don't think we should underestimate the fun of looking at Tom Welling. Looking at Tom Welling makes me happy, releasing endorphins, which reinforce my good mood. I then am able to smile politely at people who try to tell me that all TV is trash, eliminating violence and generally making the world a better place
So what do you keep watching even though you know it's bad and quite possibly making you stupider? And why?
30 Minute Meals is what I watch when I’m tired and want something that doesn’t require my full attention. Which is why I usually fall asleep before the third commercial break.
Our friend Rebecca (perhaps you remember her from the alcoholic escapade that was my birthday?) is also an enthusiastic Smallville-ite, and she shares your disdain for Kristin Kreuk. Nay, rage. I love hearing her bash her acting. Also, there is nothing wrong with staring at Tom Welling for hours on end. I believe we’ve been through this re: Cheaper by the Dozen.
Of course I remember Rebecca. I think she tried to convince me not to get sucked in (twice now), but some poisons you just have to taste for yourself. She also answered some really important questions about what the hell’s going on; I refuse to watch the episodes in order.