Television Smellevision
I was watching an episode of the new Fox show Glee last night (don’t hate; there was nothing on and I was interested to see what all the fuss was about. Is it good? It was meh, meaning I’m going to download it and watch it, but it won’t take up space on my hard drive, which I plan on upgrading soon. The big black box is going to be replaced, so if anyone wants the old bride, let me know.), and it struck me how certain television writers just get a certain demographic, a certain subset. You see, the creator of Glee is a certain Ryan Murphy, he of Nip / Tuck and Popular fame, and Mr. Murphy’s strength lies, to me at least, in the fact that he knows outcasts, social misfits. While this may not be true of Nip Tuck at first glance, there’s no better way to show misfits than to show people who are uncomfortable with themselves, their vision of themselves that they think doesn’t fit with their idea of themselves. Glee is just an updated version of Popular, a teen series that aired for two seasons and whose claim to fame is introducing me to the wonderful goodness that is Carly Pope.
This phenomena isn’t exclusive to Murphy, though. You want conspiracy theories and scientific phenomena? You call J. J. Abrams. Of course, the thing about Abrams is, he can meld his area depending on who his cowriters are. You want government conspiracies, McGuffins, and gun toting action babes? Abrams will be flanked by Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, who helped Abrams on Alias and co-created Fringe (another show I can’t wait to see return). You want Star Wars references, philosophical discussions, and mindfucks galore. Allow me to introduce you to Carlton Cuse and Damon Lindelof, who you’ve seen previously on Lost. (Yes, that last sentence was intended.)
Josh Shwartz is the guy you go to for 80s cheese and the pulse of teen pop culture, for he is behind two of television’s most awesome shows, Chuck and Gossip Girl (yes, I watch Gossip Girl, and yes, I think it is awesome. Too girly at times, but still awesome. Also, I have an unhealthy obsession with Blair Waldorf. Really Unhealthy.).
I could go on and on about the two Davids, Chase and Simon, and Matthew Weiner, but, as their shows attest, it is better if you let them do the talking. So I’m telling you, if you haven’t watched Mad Men, The Sopranos, or The Wire, do so now.
My name is Doctor Impossible, and I’m a TV addict.
