Confession time: I love bad TV. I do. It’s kind of my weakness. And as far as weaknesses go, it’s definitely not the worst one I could have, but it is rather time consuming.
When I first moved down here, I lived in Arlington with my roommate and was still in the midst of the job search. And because you can only write so many cover letters and send out so many resumes before your head hurts, I would do the only logical thing: completely shut down all brain cells and turn on SoapNet at 4pm.
If I remember correctly, it’s been nearly a year, after all, since I’ve done this, SoapNet would start with back-to-back episodes of Beverly Hills, 90210 (the original, obviously), and then an hour of One Tree Hill. Ahhh. Three blissful hours of sitting on my ass, watching, according to the channel’s tagline, “pretty people, pretty messed up.”
Now, in my new place, I no longer have cable – mainly so I can’t waste away in front of the television. However, I was moderately regretting that decision today when the topic of conversation in our pod at work turned to bad TV. More specifically, the new 90210. The general consensus was that it couldn’t hold a candle to the original (although, I hear it’s trying by bringing back Brenda and Kelly). But the best comment, and one appropriate to pretty much ALL the teen soaps: “I just wonder, when will I stop watching shows about kids in high school?” Amen. I’m right there with you.
Why do we care so much? And why, as late-20-early-30-somethings do we like watching shows about high school kids? There’s no excuse about it reminding you of your own high school days. (Unless, of course, you were the most popular girl in school, dating the star of the football team, who was secretly cheating on you with your best friend, but it’s okay because you were sleeping with your guidance counselor – then, by all means, reminisce away.)
I thought about it a little more after that conversation and chalked it up to “car-wreck effect” – you don’t want to stare, but you just can’t look away.
And then I promptly watched an episode of One Tree Hill on my computer.
