Off topic: Popular TV shows are just as bad as popular online shows.

'Popular' shows just don't do it for me

Every time I watch something that's considered 'popular' or 'succesful', my first reaction is: this is crap. It's kind of weird. Maybe I'm cynical, a bit pessimistic, counter-culture... but it's my observation, and I know I'm not alone. Here's an example I like to use: Arrested Development and Two and a Half Men. Both aired around the same time in 2003.

One went on for three seasons, was absolutely brilliant, had an amazingly talented cast, and the script was genius. The other is going on its ninth season and has Ashton Kutcher. So what happened to Arrested Development? If it was so great, why were the ratings so bad? To be honest, I don't know. A lot of critics said it was 'too smart for TV', which I kind of agree with. I just think it's awful that a show has to be dumbed down so people can understand it. Not only does it drain the creative genius from the actors/writers, but it also paves the way for even crappier TV shows, like My Name is Earl. Wow that show blows.

That being said, Arrested Development is going to come out with a mini-season and a movie after that, which I'm really excited for. There's also exceptions for certain shows, like The Office, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Modern Family. All great shows, but still haven't received as much commercial success as Two and a Half Men.

All hail the internet

YouTube is the same way. Hilarious YouTube shows like Between Two Ferns (a mock interview show hosted by Zach Galifianakis), Harvard Sailing Team (a show that reverses the stereotypes of men and women) and The Michael Showalter Showalter (another mock interview show), are all trumped by this guy:

 

Wow. Something is wrong.

I understand that not everyone can share my taste in comedy, and the thought of everybody laughing the same robotic laugh at some government sanctioned comedy show scares the hell out of me. But Fred? Really? Comon' people.