I Can't Watch Another TV Show
and why I watch Gilmore Girls all the damn time.
Okay, so it’s not that I can’t watch another TV show — I have a goal to watch more new-to-me TV — the problem is it’s incredibly difficult for me to consume new TV. I’ve tried to start so many shows, but I inevitably resort back to one of my comfort shows.
I can’t even begin to count the number of shows someone has excitedly gushed to me that I must watch. My response is usually the same. “Oh yeah, I’ve heard great things about it. I’ll add it to my list and get around to it one day.” Except I never do. The same goes for movies, but I’m making progress toward a goal this year to watch 20 never before seen (to me) movies.
Growing up, there were plenty of shows I wasn’t allowed to watch. I found my comforts in PBS kids (Arthur, Zoom, Dragon Tales, Wild Kratts, Mr. Rogers, Magic School Bus), Nickelodeon (Rugrats, The Amanda Show, Hey Arnold), and Disney (Lizzie McGuire, That’s so Raven, Sister Sister, Boy Meets World). Cartoon Network wasn’t allowed and neither were “the older kids” shows, let alone adult shows that many people my age loved at the time. With a few exceptions, if I didn’t grow up watching a show, I have never seen it. I’ve never walked the halls of Tree Hill High School or Harbor High. I never slayed vampires or read their diaries. I haven’t been to Dawson’s Creek (is that even a location?) or done magic with the sisters on Charmed. Something about rewatching the same few shows as a kid has stayed with me into adulthood.
If I only focus on watching shows from the 90s and early 00s, I can manage that, right? It feels possible, but when I think of how much TV exists from that time period alone, I feel overwhelmed. It’s difficult to sift through the shows and decipher what I would like and what was merely popular at the time, but bears no interest for me (more on that later).
But there are also so many new shows that I want to consume: Abbott Elementary, The Bear, The White Lotus, Poker Face, Severance — and that’s only what I can think of off the top of my head. The amount of TV is more than overwhelming (I can’t think of a better word here, but you have to see where I’m coming from). I think I’ve simply reached a point where I want to throw the towel in and stick to the same few shows I like to rewatch.
And it’s not like I haven’t tried. Recently, I attempted Emily in Paris (which my sister said after the fact was not a well-liked show, but everything I had heard about it said it was a cute, fun time! It was not). Then I tried Sex and the City, and I was bored? I made it through 6 episodes of both shows before passing. Then I tried one I was sure I would like, One Tree Hill. As a certified MEGA fan of Gilmore Girls, there is enough overlap in the Venn Diagram of these two early aughts teen dramas, right? Wrong, I barely made it through the pilot. I was bored, even more bored than I was watching SATC. Maybe it’s because I don’t care enough about sports to root for either of the two main characters, but none of the side plots were interesting either. And there was no Sophia Bush yet. I then learned the creator was problematic, so I didn’t feel all that bad about giving up on it. I also have watched the pilots of Breaking Bad and The West Wing probably three times over, trying to get into them, but I haven’t. Honestly, with all of these shows, I sat there thinking this is what so many people love? I didn’t get it.
I used to not know why I’m so averse to watching new shows. Yes, I know about the studies on how for anxious and neurodiverse people re-watching shows is comforting. And that is a big part of it, BUT, recently, I think I’ve gotten to the root cause. And that is the last two episodes of Games of Thrones. If you haven’t watched the end of GOT, I’m going to spoil it for you, but honestly, it’s okay because you will only be severely disappointed if you watched it, but still, keep reading at your own caution.
If you didn’t sit down on Sunday, May 12, 2019 (freaky how close we are to the anniversary) and watch Daenerys Targaryen burn an entire city to the ground, then you don’t know true disappointment. Then things went from bad to worse the following week with the series finale. The only good that came out of these two episodes was the unity of everyone hating the ending (back when you could browse Twitter without an account and reactionary memes were in their prime). I don’t think there has ever (or since) been a television series finale that crashed and burned as hard as Game of Thrones (heavy on the burn, sorry). It was the biggest show at the time, only for everyone to be disappointed in the end.
With one exception, I have not started a new show that wasn’t already concluded since watching the horror that was the GOT series finale. The one exception was Schitt’s Creek, but I did have to give it a couple tries before I started to enjoy it. (I’m not counting a few mini series because one season feels doable. Although, yes Fleabag does have 2 seasons but there are only 12 episodes in total so it really feels like a mini series). I didn’t realize this was the root cause, but when the idea of this Substack post began percolating, I connected the dots.
*Edit: after seeing these two shows mentioned in a comment, my count for new shows started after the GOT finale is actually at 3. I had forgotten about The Good Place which I adored! And Hearstopper (though that one is technically in another category because I read and loved the graphic novels first. I’m excited to see how it wraps up with the movie).
Well, what about shows that have ended, you ask, and I really can’t say, except that most beloved shows that have concluded are well over 100 episodes, and that seems like a big undertaking. Oh, and most shows that are over 100 episodes start to go downhill after that point anyway, so I’d likely be disappointed (sure, not GOT levels of disappointment, but still).
Even my most beloved shows reach season 6 or 7, and there is a noticeable dip in quality (Gilmore Girls being obvious but also New Girl, Grey’s Anatomy, and Friends). Or there’s a problem on the other side of the series for some shows, and it takes a few episodes or even a few seasons to find their footing. And I get it; it takes time to create art. But I’m at the point in this TV-watching endeavor, that if a show doesn’t pull me in within the first few episodes, I’m tapping out. Why would I force myself to watch TV I’m not enjoying when I could put on a show I’ve seen 10 (or 100+ if we’re talking about the one) times?
There are also shows that I started before GOT ruined television for me, but I haven’t watched newer seasons (probably because I’m scared of the disappointment). I haven’t watched season 4 of Stranger Things. I only watched the first season of The Handmaid’s Tale (honestly too afraid to watch past that). I’ve watched 2 ½ seasons of You. I made it through about a season and a half of Good Girls. And probably the most shocking, I have not finished The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
I know it sounds like I’m complaining for the sake of it, and I’m shutting down any solution you may have for me. Because I do really want to watch new-to-me TV shows, but it’s difficult to decide which show is going to be the one to make me overcome the hump. So what am I going to do about this? Honestly, part of the solution lies in writing this and clicking publish. By outing myself as a relatively TV noob, I may (keyword may) be inclined to make progress on my never-ending lists of shows to try. I have a similar problem when it comes to movies, but new-to-me movies are much more manageable because there’s way less of a time commitment. As I said, I’ve made progress on my goal of watching 20 new-to-me-movies this year (we’re up to 8!). Maybe I need to set a goal. To watch (and finish) one new-to-me TV show by the end of summer. That feels like it could be aligned with American Girl Magazine summer, right? (I’m telling myself it is.)
I’m currently re-watching Parks and Rec (one of my few comfort shows [and also one that took some time to find their footing]), and I’ve been itching (no pun intended) to watch Fleabag again because I’ve only watched it once, and it’s a masterpiece. But after I finish both of those, I think I will attempt a new-to-me show. The question is which one?
The Contenders:
The Pitt: This one feels manageable because it’s just one season so far. However, this does lend to my concern of the show going off the rails in a few seasons. I made it quite far in ER during college, and I adore Noah Wyle in his role as Dr. Carter, but I don’t know if this show would be too similar to watching him in ER. I also don’t know if I can do another medical drama show*.
*(Sidebar with Grey’s Anatomy Spoilers) I stopped routinely watching Grey’s after Derek’s death, but I caught up to season 18 a few years ago. When I saw the returning cast during the covid season, I wanted to watch those episodes, but I didn’t want to feel lost, so I watched seasons 12-17 (after I re-watched 1-11 obviously). There were some enjoyable moments. I was a Private Practice girlie, so I loved Amelia’s storyline (except marrying Owen??? PLEASE!). And Stephanie Edwards’s final episode was the high stakes season finale I used to love from this show. The Perfect Penny dinner scene (let’s pass those peas), “Those are the names of the spouses of every patient I ever lost,” Alex and Meredith hugging when she got her hearing back, and all of the female doctors lining up for the sexual assault victim all felt like classic Grey’s moments that reminded me of why this was one of my favorite shows. Season 17 was wonky, but I felt they handled covid as best they could as a medical show. I decided to give season 18 a try because THE Addison Forbes Montgomery Shepherd was returning. And other than her scenes, I was supremely disappointed. This season was so boring.
For some reason, I decided to give it one more chance with season 19 and actually watched the premiere a few days after it aired. I hated it. I know the newest class of interns are well-liked by a lot of fans, but to me, it felt like a pitiful attempt to recapture the m.a.g.i.c of the original interns, but then I learned that Meredith was leaving Grey’s, and I wanted to find out how. I wanted to see her send-off so once all of season 19 was available on Netflix, I suffered through the dreadful season (and for THAT?). I know Meredith isn’t fully gone, but her farewell episode was so disappointing, but I kept going to see if they did anything more for her in the finale (they didn’t). It was then I decided I had fully given up on Grey’s Anatomy and would not be watching new episodes (although when they finally announce it’s end, I will be tuning in to see how it ends, but I haven’t decided if I will reluctantly watch all the episodes I missed (I think it depends on much further it will go on). All this to say, I don’t know if I can do another medical drama. When you’ve watched as much Grey’s Anatomy (and Private Practice, and ER, and House, and Scrubs (not a drama, I know, but still) as I have, it feels like it’s all been done before. I want something fresh.
The Resident: I know you’re screaming at me that this is in fact another medical drama. I know. But it’s just the Logan Huntzberger of it all, okay? I don’t know if I’d actually watch this one, but it is finished, so I’d at least have that peace of mind. I haven’t heard much one way or another if this show is actually good, but I would like Matt Czuchry on my TV again.
The Bear: I’m a foodie, so this (in theory) could be right up my alley. The problem is it’s not a cozy food show and that’s typically what I prefer my shows to be. Now obviously Grey’s Anatomy is not a cozy show, but I had already watched the majority of it so it felt more comforting than stressful (unless Owen Hunt is on the screen, then nothing is comforting).
Severance: Also not cozy, I get that. I actually had no idea what this show was about until my sister started watching it recently. I’m all for a unique concept in TV and movies because I feel like we’re in a loop of repeating the same few stories. And the Adam Scott transition would be nice after finishing Parks and Rec.
Only Murders in the Building: I’ve heard the dynamic of the three main cast is so sweet and then you add Meryl Streep into the mix and I’m in! The only problem? (I’m sorry if this seems mean) I can’t stand Selena Gomez’s voice. I don’t like the monotone delivery, but maybe it’s different when she’s acting? I never watched Wizards of Waverly Place, so I haven’t seen her act before.
Étoile: Okay, this one I have to watch out of obligation. I mean it’s Amy Sherman Palladino AND ballet (I took ballet lessons for 16 years). Saying out of obligation sounds like I don’t want to watch it, I absolutely do, but it’s just another show on this overwhelming list, so I just need to decide when (adding here that I will finish Maisel too).
Abbot Elementary: This one I think may end up being the winner. I’ve only heard incredible things about this show, and I did work in a school for eight years. It seems cozy enough and will be a good match of comedy after I finish Parks. Plus THE Chessy?? Say less. We’ll tune back in when I do finish Parks and Rec (and Fleabag) to see what ended up being the winner or if I caved and resorted to a rewatch.
Okay, reading back over this, I realized I listed Abbot Elementary first when I was naming shows to watch, so I feel like that’s a sign?? That wasn’t planned, I swear!
What’s a TV show that you recommend for someone who listens to Gilmore Girls every night as she falls asleep and dedicated an Instagram account to cooking her way through the show for 4 ½ years? Who knows, maybe I’ll finally watch it in 10 years?
More cheers, less fears,
Larisa
OH ALSO: Watch Bunheads. Again, you have to make it to the end of the first episode to really get into it. But SO many fun Gilmore Girls cameos and it gives true GG vibes (obviously since it’s an Amy Sherman Paladino show)
I definitely relate to this!! I cycle through the same set of shows often as well because so many shows are either too slow to get into or their ending just doesn't live up to the rest of the show.
I seem to have pretty similar taste in shows as what you've listed, so here are a few that I have loved (and several that I have returned to over and over)! Abbott Elementary (so so good!), Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Superstore, The Bear, How I Met Your Mother, The Good Place, The Residence, Heartstopper. Some of these are shorter (just 1-3 seasons), but some have several seasons that still seem to (mostly) hold up!