I’ve always been easily influenced by hype. I remember back in 1989 when the first “Batman” movie came out, the massive marketing campaign easily sucked me in. I gobbled up magazine articles about the movie, would spaz out when movie trailers showed on the television, and purchased t-shirts and other merchandise before the movie even CAME OUT. The media told me this was a movie I was going to love and far be it from me to argue.
I’ve gotten a little more discretionary over the years, but not much. I tried to resist the “Twilight” phenomenon, but when I saw that all my favorite bloggers loved it, well, that was no match for me. Could all these fabulous people be WRONG? I didn’t think so (and, as it would happen, they weren’t wrong. “Twilight” rocks). I let myself get sucked in and I happily follow the crowd on this one. Because Edward is so worth it.
But, there are other things which I have refused over the years to get into just because everyone else loves it and I have never regretted it. Here are some of the television shows I have turned my back on because I have refused to let the crowd influence me:
- America’s Next Top Model
- Gossip Girl
- The Hills
- Entourage
- Project Runway
- Mad Men
- The Sopranos
- Six Feet Under
- Big Love
- Sex and the City
- Weeds
- X-Files
- CSI (any incarnation thereof)
- Law and Order (any incarnation thereof)
Wow, I’m realizing that I could have easily gone on there. EASILY. There are a lot of television shows that I have refused to get sucked into and have never regreted not getting sucked into. My life has somehow managed to be full and wonderful WITHOUT these shows.
I also don’t get and refuse to buy into a lot of music hype. I used to say it was because I didn’t really like music but I know now that’s not really true. I love music, but I like to discover it on my own. And I’m not the sort that likes to read about bands or musicians in magazines or follow them around on concert tours or whatever else. I like to enjoy my music when I am able to (usually in the car) and I find a lot of music hugely inspiring, but I don’t get obsessed about it. And I rarely ever get into an artist that everyone else oohs and ahhs over. Like I said, I prefer to discover music on my own.
Are there any fads that you have resisted (MIchelle, I already know you are resisting “Twilight”, so don’t feel the need to bring that up AGAIN cuz it’s only gonna make me feel ornery!)? How about fads that you tried to resist only to find out they were truly awesome? And what fads have you bought into hook, line and sinker?
Similar Posts
15 Responses to “Following the crowd”
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.
I find it something gets too popular as a trend, I actually LOSE interest in it.
Never saw one episode of “The Sopranos.”
I keep hearing about this Twilight thing. To be honest, I thought it was one of those Christian novels, so I have ignored. Maybe I’m wrong? I don’t know. Sometimes I get stressed out just trying to figure out which book comes first in a series.
I’ve definitely fallen for the Twilight series, even though I resisted for a while. I usually tend to hold off on the fads for a while. Some I cave into, others I will just never get into – like Project Runway and America’s Next Top Model. Just not my thing. I waited on LOST and then ended up watching the entire first season in a weekend.
I think Matrix is one of the dumbest movies EVER. And, I’m pretty sure I’m the only one who feels that way.
I fought off the Harry Potter phenomenon for so long. I didn’t pick up the first book until well after the sixth book had been released. Needless to say, I got sucked right in and I was one of the idiots in line for book seven at midnight. I like to be one of the originals, so if I don’t get into a fad right when it’s new, I pretend I was too cool for it anyway.
Ok wait! Sex and the City! BIG LOVE!!!! SIX FREAKING FEET UNDER!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ARE ya kiddin me woman???
we can no longer be friends lol..
just kidding but man, you need to rent the dvd’s and just DO IT! Because seriously millions of people are not WRONG HERE
*wink*
I love Entourage, but everyone I know doesn’t watch it. I’ve only watch that because we’ve gotten it through Netflix. All that other stuff though, we don’t have cable and barely enough time to shower and keep the joint clean!
Ok, What about Criminal Minds and Prison Break. Those are my favorite shows right now. I can’t watch Entourage, because I work for Rex Lee (one of the characters) and um… I don’t really like him too much
Oooooohhhhh, I loved that series too. I’m now reading her other book, “The Host”. Not sure if it’s going to be a series or not, but she is now one of my favorite authors. I can’t wait for the movie.
I’ve rejected all network reality TV, though I did enjoy Ice Road Truckers. I’ve rejected pretty much all network tv shows including Lost, Heroes, the Office and every show you mentioned except Xfiles (the first 4 years) and the original L&O (the first 5 years).
I rejected the Twilight series but only after plowing my way through the first book. I like Harry Potter but not with the level of devotion so many of my friends have.
The crowd I run with in real life is a geek crowd & I threw myself into Babylon 5, Star wars, all the Star Treks, and Firefly but had to reject Battlestar Galactica after the first season.
Um, Rhi, I HATED the Matrix trilogy.I did see them (my husband dragged me along) but I did not enjoy a single minute of any of those movies. So you are not alone. Things I’ve resisted (besides Twilight)?? Well, Bunko. I don’t know exactly what it is, but it’s a big thing in the military spouse community. And I won’t play. I resisted myspace, but got sucked into Facebook, so I guess that washes each other out.
There’s lots of TV shows that I don’t watch, and movies that I haven’t seen. But to be honest, if most of my friends are doing it, I’m signing up just because I don’t want to be left out. Not that I would jump off a bridge with ya, Marilyn. I love you to pieces, but I gotta draw the line somewhere.
Your non TV list is a lot like mine, except I do love L and O.
Okay I did watch a season of Project Runway on TIVO with my sisters over the summer and I enjoyed it.
We aren’t much for tv or fads. Of your list, X-Files is the only one we watched and it wasn’t until after it was in it’s last season or two. And we didn’t watch any of the non-Mulder ones. Harry Potter is the only fad we ever enjoyed that I can think of!
whaat?! but gossip girl RULES!! I’ve been completely sucked in to the teenage angsty comedy drama!! (love me some chuck and queen B). And we love project runway too. I guess I avoid book fads, not even enjoying Harry P. that much (gasp).
“I think Matrix is one of the dumbest movies EVER. And, I’m pretty sure I’m the only one who feels that way.”
well you are absolutely right. you are one of the few. I think that movie was great. It really changed the who action movie how they are done. but you have to let go of the “normal logic” in order to have fun in that movie.
Jhon