guilty pleasures and why they're not

I've tried to start this blog post about seven times.  No idea why I'm having a hard time, since I've ranted about this very subject to anyone who will listen.  Perhaps I just have to jump right in?

"GUILTY PLEASURE" IS A STUPID TERM.

There we go.

It is though.  Primarily because either way you slice it, you're talking about TV shows, people.  And this is coming from someone who has gotten through many an emotional whirlwind with the help of fictional characters and alternate realities, but whether it's Pawn Stars or Homeland - you're choosing to sit on a couch and stare at a screen.

Let's break this down a little.  When I was in school, I took a class about the History of Television.  We talked about the "lowest common denominator" and how a lot of popular shows, usually sitcoms, were dumbed down to please larger audiences.  My response: Who cares?  Does that make them less enjoyable?  For some, maybe, but in general I don't see anything wrong with watching hours of Two Broke Girls or a "smarter" alternative: Louis CK. 

 vs.

I don't watch either of these shows and I get the argument: Two Broke Girls is just sex jokes while Louis deals with bigger issues and feels more real.  Well, maybe I don't want to watch a believable version of reality.  Maybe I unwind better while watching two idiotic waitresses try to make a cupcake business work.  YOU DON'T KNOW ME.

I think my biggest issue with a lot of people's grumblings about the ridiculousness of The Vampire Diaries and the genius of Game of Thrones is that few people have seen both.  Lucky for you, I thoroughly enjoy each of these shows equally, but very differently.

vs.

These shows aren't trying to achieve the same thing, and I think that's the most important thing to remember.  The Vampire Diaries is on The CW while Game of Thrones is an HBO spectacular.  Their demographics aren't the same, therefore the content isn't either.  TVD is trying to connect to female high school students and people from the original Buffy fan club.  GOT wants whoever they can get, while also not caring who tunes in because they're on cable.  Both these shows have supernatural elements, new universes, insane love stories, and sibling rivalry.  One has a psychopathic murderer interrupt a school dance while the other has a sadistic cretin end a wedding in bloodshed.  There's lore and lies in both series as well as danger and destruction.  So why is TVD looked down upon and GOT praised?

I'm not going to try and argue that they're the exact same thing or on the same level per say, but as someone who watches both avidly, I have a hard time getting the bandwagon that Game of Thrones is superior purely because everyone's decided it is.  Sure, TVD has a bit of a tedious love triangle, but twins are having sex and making babies together on GOT, so let's all just calm down for a second. 

Bottom line: whether you're watching Sons of Anarchy or Pretty Little Liars, if you're enjoying yourself, chuck the guilt and give into the pleasure.  No one actually cares what you're watching, they're just trying to go along with the critics and watch the highly worshiped shows like The Americans or Mad Men.  Both of which I find boring.  Before you get angry, I didn't say they were bad... I just said I was bored.  I think they're well written, well directed, and well acted, but I just don't care about the characters or the plot.  Don't know why, just don't.

I've now run out of steam.  Anyway.  You get my point.

A la Little Miss Sunshine, "Do what you love and fuck the rest."