What Grabs you on TV?

Black Eye Guy

Black Eye Guy

Taking over the World!
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Black Thorn
There are so many factors to a shows now a days, I was wondering what grabs you.

Like there are Animated/Anime shows (I'd consider the two a different genres), there is Sci-Fi, Drama, Comedy, Action and Reality and any combination of those.
I was thinking, what grabs your attention, is it the cast, the premise or the genre (maybe genre and premise are the same?!)

But I consider story to be my mine grab, I'd hear about a show and I'd be interested in the story and I'd make a note to check it out, whether it be live action, animated or reality.

Next would be the cast, I think the cast has a bigger pull then it ever has before, like Nathan Fillion in Castle or Alyson Hannigan in How I met your mother, I would have waited allot longer before giving either of their shows a chance before I'd known that the actors from Buffy/Firefly were involved.

I think the cast has so much pull since Twitter has shot to fame, the main example I can think of is Nathan Fillion/Castle, he grew pretty quickly on Twitter and you only have to follow him on Twitter to know that most of the people that attend comic con do to (from the Double Rainbow shout-outs), a show like Castle wouldn't have gotten a panel at Comic-Con, where it not for Fillion.

Same with writers, I've started following comics, but I don't think without Whedonds run on X-Men and Runaways (although not a fan of his ) Runaways stories, I would not be a Comic book fan without him, I think he was a nice bridge to another world were allot of TV fans could find intrest, but not exactly fit into, or not know where to start.)
He was definitely the hook that grabbed me, and allowed me to explore so many other mediums that I would not have looked at had it not been for him guest writing on Astonishing X-Men, and had it not been the combination of TV and comics, I would not have looked back on Animated TV shows or the new animated Movies for their equal or not yet more advanced stories that I've enjoyed.

Especially now when looking for new shows, I go on what I enjoy last season, like I only recently started watching Mad Men so knew I'd be giving the more grown up looking Pan Am or Playboy shows a look, since all my Adult attention has been geared to the American Cable Channels, and for my reality fix I know I have The Apprentice US/UK to keep me over summer and Jersey Shore for crappy TV fix, and comedies of Cougar Town/30Rock to keep me laughing!
But I was wondering how you pick your TV shows, whether they be new, old, animated or a web series?
 
Good writing, good actors & actresses. Obviously, a good story. Sometimes, just knowing an actress that you like, will be in a new show, grabs me on tv...hehe.

Sci-fi,fantasy,supernatural type shows grab me. Also strong women roles usually grab me on tv.
 
A different premise grabs my attention. I'm so tired of cop/lawyer dramas or some form of that. I'm also tired of family sitcoms and reality tv shows. So anything that looks a little different grabs my attention. After that the cast and writing has to keep me watching more than 2 episodes.
 
Actors, if I can't stand the actors then there's little to no point 🙂

Story, well obviously it needs some kind of interesting hook. Like I'm not a fan of CSI or all of it's spawn but I like Criminal minds because of the psychology rather than the cutting up people and poking around their organs.

Writing, there's has to be intelligent writing with continuity. If the writers don't care about following the story then I won't either. (kind of like reading Charlaine Harris' books). Also not too many "get out of jail free cards" by easy plot devices, a few you can overlook but if the story stops feeling a semblance of 'real' then I'm out 🙂
 
Skanky Vamp
Skanky Vamp
Any why cant I be Bob?
Lately it is the characters/stories plus the writing is always a plus. I can be pretty lenient with shows I mean some aren't the best but if they are good enough I will watch. I can say I only seriously LOVED a few new shows these past seasons. The Killing being one. That is the type of show I love these days. Good actors, good story and very character driven I think it is a plus. The acting is always on my list because when watching a show if I can't believe the actors I don't care for it.

I do love supernatural type shows and if I know the actors that also grabs my attention.

Reality shows are a different story. I mean I love the real housewives but for example I find the woman well two of them on The OC repulsive, but it makes for a easy watch. I would say I love Jersey because unlike the rest I can respect Caroline on a serious level. Make any sense? I watch a lot of reality tv but really I wouldn't say I love all of the people lol.
 
S
StarSlayer
I agree when it comes to the acting!
It's the characters to me. I don't care if the plot is bizarre as long as there are characters that make me laugh/cry/whatever. It was arguably the best thing about Firefly and it also holds true for Glee/Friends/HIMYM,etc.
 
Definately the characters. If they are interesting and grab my attention, I'll most likely stick with a show. I think this also affects my genere preference; ie. I don't usally care much for sci-fi, because the characters generally aren't as well-rounded as with other shows (although I absolutely LOVE Firefly). Although it really depends. The plot is the one that has to be interesting to make me start watching a show, but the characters are what keep me there.
 
Characters. If I find something in them then I'll most likely stick with a show.
 
Kean said:
Characters. If I find something in them then I'll most likely stick with a show.
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Do you mean the actors playing the characters or the writers writing them?

I used to think it was the actors for me, that made the show. But slowly I am seeing that even unknown, never acted before actors, with the right material are just as good, if not better.

I was reading about memory and past placement of characters with actors. It really opened my eyes to sometimes the cheap way of getting around poor writing.

For instance.. if I were writing a show about a female cop and I would say Eliza Dushku was playing the role, you would immediately have in your mind a preconception of what the role would be. But if I said Jane Doe was playing a female cop. The onus would be on me as the writer to make that character.

I never really thought of putting established 'memories' in those roles as a means to circumvent story telling but I can see it happening. I understand typecasting and all, but I did not think of it as as much of a crutch.

So what makes a character? and what makes you watch because of the character?

I am trying to turn a blind eye to the actor and just see the character fresh each time. It's really difficult!

So writing grabs me.. writing that makes me wonder and think and not for an instant understand. Twin Peaks grabs me. John from Cincinnati grabs me. Carnivale grabs me.
 
Taake
Taake
"Harry, you're all right"
Scobro said:
So what makes a character? and what makes you watch because of the character?

I am trying to turn a blind eye to the actor and just see the character fresh each time. It's really difficult!

So writing grabs me.. writing that makes me wonder and think and not for an instant understand. Twin Peaks grabs me. John from Cincinnati grabs me. Carnivale grabs me.
Click to expand...

The writing. My most beloved characters are nearly all played be actors I have little to no regard for.

I've been thinking about what makes me want to watch a show and as far as I can see it is the creation of a family or community and the sharing of experience. It doesn't matter if it is SciFi or the CW, if the writing can sell that heart to me, then I'm theirs.
 
Skanky Vamp
Skanky Vamp
Right on. Don't you think that is sometimes at the core of your disdain for 'fandom' also? Because doesn't fandom sometimes mean putting the blinders on, or taking them off? Failing to the truths simply for need of belonging to something?
There are a few things that are really important in terms of 'grabbing' me, but they're not really in an order of importance.

Writing is definitely a biggie. I'm so obnoxiously quick to judge a show so if I can watch an episode of something and think 'y'know what, this show is super smart' then I'm sold. I like clever, witty and believable dialogue, realistic and emotional interactions with characters.

The other two, stem from writing completely. One is the story. If a story isn't well written, if it's predictable and I can poke flaws in it, I'm not interested. I can spot a story that doesn't have a solid background instantly and I lose respect for it. I also really love shows that tie everything together in a plausible way and even better when I can watch it and think 'they knew they were going to do that from the off, they're telling the story they want to tell'.

And secondly, characters (with relationships being a huge part). I love my characters and I cherish my favourites. I love complex, conflicted characters who face a daily battle with themselves but always manage to remain true to themselves at the end. And, of course, I need a relationship to become invested in, smile and cry over. Preferably one of those instant connections, fated to be together from the first glance kinda relationships.
 
Kean
Kean
[No message]
The cast and the story mostly. I like a show, if the story is great. If I like the cast but the story is crap, I don't like the show.
I often check out shows that an actress or an actor that I like is involved in. I only checked out BtVS (which is now my favorite show!!) because I liked Alyson on How I Met Your Mother.
Then I checked out Dollhouse, because I liked Eliza on BtVS and because it's created by Joss.

I don't watch many animated series. If I do, it's mostly The Simpsons or SpongeBob SquarePants.
I don't care for the story here, as long as it's funny. I don't want to think when I watch that stuff 😀
 
For me, it depends on the show.

Shows that really grab me and keep me coming back for more are ones I think have good writing, awesome characters, brilliant acting, and offer something different that makes them stand out amongst the rest. I also love certain reality shows, mainly "Top Chef" and "Project Runway" because it isn't always about the drama, but rather the competition. And yes, I admit I also love those reality wedding shows, like "Say Yes to the Dress." They're my guilty pleasure. And, I'm not gonna lie. I do watch other reality shows that I know are total crap, but again. It's just a guilty pleasure of mine. Like, "The Bachelor" and "The Bachelorette." Every season I say, "I'm not interested. I'd rather catch up with good shows out there." But, I always get sucked into it. Maybe I'm addicted to the "real life" drama there, lol! But, mostly, I'm grabbed by good storytelling combined with great acting (in the case of fictional TV shows, lol).
 
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