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And Now For Something Completely Different . .

. . . President Obama's TV viewing habits:

President Barack Obama can’t stand to be without his “Entourage.” . . . For less R-rated fare, he tunes into “Hannah Montana” or “SpongeBob SquarePants” in the White House with his daughters. Aides said he would have watched Monday night’s NCAA championship on TiVo on his way home from Iraq Tuesday night.

MORE . . .

. . . Obama’s choices definitely have an edgier bent — such as the HBO drama “The Wire.” . . . “When you hear he likes ‘Entourage,’ you have to go, ‘That figures,’” said Robert Thompson, a professor of pop culture at Syracuse University. “Anything Obama does is cool by definition. He’s the Internet president, he’s the BlackBerry president, and now, I suppose, he could be called the HBO president.” Obama likes “Entourage” so much he even rearranged his campaign schedule not to miss an episode.

Full disclosure - I too watch Entourage and The Wire (even own the DVDs), watched the NCAA championship game (or most of it anyway) and "Hannah Montana" and "Sponge Bob" with my daughters. Does that make me "cool?"

Full confession - I watch the "Family Guy" with my 15 year old daughter. Does that make me a bad dad?

Speaking for me only

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  • Display: Sort:
    did you see this BTD? (5.00 / 1) (#1)
    by iceblinkjm on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 10:15:54 AM EST
    I watched BSG too (none / 0) (#3)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 10:17:23 AM EST
    Did you think the ending was terrible? (5.00 / 1) (#39)
    by Faust on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 11:43:03 AM EST
    As a serious sci-fi buff, I have to say that, while emotionally satisfying, I found the ending to be shockingly empty intellectually.

    Parent
    Awful (none / 0) (#41)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 11:49:32 AM EST
    I didn't as it tied into the mythological aspects (none / 0) (#42)
    by iceblinkjm on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 11:52:06 AM EST
    of the show that have been present since day one and even prevelant in the original series. "There are those who believe that life here began out there, far across the universe, with tribes of humans who may have been the forefathers of the Egyptians, or the Toltecs, or the Mayans. That they may have been the architects of the great pyramids, or the lost civilizations of Lemuria or Atlantis. Some believe that there may yet be brothers of man who even now fight to survive somewhere beyond the heavens..."  I think the ending tied that and the other threads together into a tapestry like a well written series of novels. The musical score was also a great part that made the acting and storytelling even more intense and poignant. I've been a science fiction fan all of my 31 years and I've yet to experience something else like BSG that made me think, feel and cry all at the same time. The writers and producers obviously respected their audience, something I find very lacking in other science fiction television shows. Frankly I find all the hand wringing and teeth gnashing over the finale to be nothing more than sour grapes from geeks still living in the past. This show was never meant for that demographic.

    Parent
    last was not meant to insult or belittle any (none / 0) (#45)
    by iceblinkjm on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 11:59:14 AM EST
    reader. I should have disclosed that I am one huge BSG fanboi and have the Starbuck dogtags around my neck to prove it.

    Parent
    And fanbois are wont to defend their beloved (none / 0) (#53)
    by Faust on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 12:39:26 PM EST
    Nevertheless, there is no defense from the perspective of coherence for what they did with all the balls they threw up in the air and failed to catch. The show was always a hybrid of soap opera and sci fi. In the end the soap opera won out, and the tension was resolved with a wave of a magic wand: it is so because God willed it. Hillariously, BSG becomes apologia for ID.

    I had the same feeling at the end of BSG after watching the 3rd Matrix movie. Mysterian wand waving may satisfy some, but it doesn't work for me.

    Parent

    You will than probably hate all the new (none / 0) (#62)
    by iceblinkjm on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 01:23:10 PM EST
    sci fi shows that are coming online next year as they are all arc and character driven shows taking cues from Firefly and Battlestar Galactica...

    Parent
    What's commin out? (none / 0) (#75)
    by Faust on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 04:14:15 PM EST
    I'm not sure if Obaba... (none / 0) (#28)
    by EL seattle on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 10:59:28 AM EST
    ...is a BSG fan or not.  What I'd really like to know is whether or not he was a big Star Trek fan when he was a kid.  

    Parent
    I read somewhere that he watched it but I doubt it (none / 0) (#34)
    by iceblinkjm on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 11:06:46 AM EST
    made much of an impact judging by his treatment of NASA.

    Parent
    The HBO president.... (5.00 / 1) (#2)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 10:16:24 AM EST
    But is he the economy president.....

    I prefer (5.00 / 1) (#23)
    by TeresaInPa on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 10:52:32 AM EST
    anything on hgtv... and for network TV, Frasier rerun still crack me up and brothers and sisters is fun when calista bernhardt isn't on.

    Frasier is in my top 5 too (5.00 / 1) (#27)
    by ruffian on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 10:56:33 AM EST
    My estimation of any politician would go way up if he or she called that their favorite show.

    Parent
    liking Frasier (none / 0) (#79)
    by TeresaInPa on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 10:27:37 PM EST
    indidcates a great sense of humor and high intelligence... = )

    Parent
    So enjoy Frasier, too (5.00 / 1) (#80)
    by Cream City on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 11:42:13 PM EST
    but much as I like the subtlety of so much of the writing, some of my favorite episodes are the ones that do farce and almost slapstick.  The range is really much of the fun of the show.

    Parent
    comedy is hard (none / 0) (#85)
    by TeresaInPa on Thu Apr 09, 2009 at 09:01:10 AM EST
    that slapstick, like the episodes where one thing after another goes wrong (on the trip to the mountain cabin) are classic stage schtick.  The timing is immaculate.  

    Parent
    What?! Sacrilege! (5.00 / 1) (#37)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 11:31:58 AM EST
    OK, me too. Lots of plans for Casa SUO. Just discovered DIY Channel last week, I'm recording it right now...

    Parent
    HGTV (5.00 / 3) (#60)
    by sj on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 01:09:09 PM EST
    Liked it a whole lot more when there were more "do project or something" shows than there were "buying/selling/leveraging my house" shows.

    Parent
    Yes, but I do like the staging shows (none / 0) (#78)
    by TeresaInPa on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 10:26:33 PM EST
    somehow I feel like I am preparing for my future.  Why I do not know.

    Parent
    Ah, without HGTV (5.00 / 3) (#81)
    by Cream City on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 11:46:17 PM EST
    I would not be able to get through our long winters.  Those gardening shows give me hope for spring.

    And without HGTV, I would not be able to drop terms into conversations like "water feature."  To think that I used to call them fountains, pools, or ponds, so passe.  Now, we HGTV fans can find each other so easily.  Just drop the term "water feature" into a conversation, and it's like a code into a secret society as we recognize each other and gravitate to a corner of a room to talk about other esoterica known only to us.:-)

    Parent

    "Water feature", (5.00 / 1) (#84)
    by sj on Thu Apr 09, 2009 at 08:54:23 AM EST
    "focal point" and "pop" of color.

    Parent
    Straight-Guy Cool, perhaps. (5.00 / 1) (#30)
    by dk on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 11:01:23 AM EST
    I understand from my straight-guy friends that Entourage and the Wire are considered cool in that cohort.

    For those interested in gay-guy cable cool, I recommend Damages and the United States of Tara.  

    I really enjoy Damages (5.00 / 1) (#51)
    by Amiss on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 12:24:48 PM EST
    because you really have to pay attention and I like something that feels like a challenge to me, and I also like the new series "Dollhouse".

    Parent
    You know what would really be cool? (5.00 / 1) (#38)
    by lambert on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 11:41:27 AM EST
    If he turned off his teebee entirely.

    We can't all be (5.00 / 1) (#40)
    by andgarden on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 11:45:25 AM EST
    Then he might not need (none / 0) (#47)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 12:03:41 PM EST
    his Hollywood liaison

    Link

    (your tax dollars at work)

    Parent

    Saw that... (none / 0) (#48)
    by kdog on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 12:11:18 PM EST
    Kumar goes from White Castle to Guantanamo to the White House...how did he get past the vetting with all that celluloid of him smoking joints out there, even if they are fake joints?

    Parent
    Chuckle.... (none / 0) (#71)
    by Inspector Gadget on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 03:53:10 PM EST
    We should be glad this was the position he was offered. With his vast medical experience, we could have been gifted with him as the choice for Surgeon General.


    Parent
    In fairness (none / 0) (#77)
    by Socraticsilence on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 08:13:35 PM EST
    Kal Penn has a degree in International Security from Stanford, taught a couple of courses at UPenn last year and is applying for a low-paying public service position.

    Parent
    Boston Legal (5.00 / 2) (#43)
    by oldpro on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 11:53:25 AM EST
    of course.

    Hilarious over-the-top comedy played perfectly straight by good actors, serious plots (usually) and terrific writing.  

    Reminds me of All in the Family and why we never missed an episode...even the reruns!

    I suppose it's partly the times.  Talk about needing a good laugh...

    Coolness (5.00 / 1) (#50)
    by Dr Molly on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 12:20:04 PM EST
    Full disclosure - I too watch Entourage and The Wire (even own the DVDs), watched the NCAA championship game (or most of it anyway) and "Hannah Montana" and "Sponge Bob" with my daughters. Does that make me "cool?"

    Well...

    Cool is something you're either born with or not. You can't get coolness from what you watch on TV.

    I believe BTD was probably born cool.

    Sorry... (5.00 / 1) (#52)
    by Thanin on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 12:29:43 PM EST
    but Six Feet Under trumps them all.

    Loved that too, (none / 0) (#57)
    by ruffian on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 12:45:09 PM EST
    more than Sopranos...

    but it's not as good as The Wire imo.

    Parent

    Yuk of the day... (5.00 / 1) (#73)
    by desertswine on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 04:04:35 PM EST
    With TIVO (none / 0) (#4)
    by Cream City on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 10:17:26 AM EST
    why did he have to rearrange his campaign schedule?  (Can I hope that he does not similarly rearrange his presidential schedule?)

    But to the important question:  Anybody who watches Sponge Bob Square Pants is not cool.  I have been subjected to it by a visiting nephew.  Ugh.

    Heh (5.00 / 1) (#5)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 10:18:12 AM EST
    Love Sponge Bob myself.

    Parent
    Hey now! (none / 0) (#11)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 10:25:57 AM EST
    I happen to enjoy the Squared Pants one and his friends!

    I can even sing the theme song for you...

    Parent

    To quote that high-culture flick (5.00 / 1) (#15)
    by Cream City on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 10:28:55 AM EST
    Jurassic Park, or at least to paraphrase Jeff Goldblum, talking about resurrecting dinosaurs:

    Just because you can do it doesn't mean you should do it.


    Parent
    To paraphrase myself (5.00 / 1) (#55)
    by Faust on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 12:40:45 PM EST
    Just because you don't get a joke, doesn't mean it's not funny.

    Parent
    So I hope (5.00 / 2) (#59)
    by Cream City on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 01:03:04 PM EST
    that you got my humor. . . .

    Parent
    lol (5.00 / 1) (#74)
    by Faust on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 04:12:14 PM EST
    The arguments in my house over this show... (5.00 / 1) (#31)
    by Lil on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 11:03:17 AM EST
    My daughter loves it and it is on like 24 hours a day. I will let her watch it and I even get a laugh out of it. Other parent in the house HATES it. We've become closet watchers of Sponge Bob...

    Parent
    Ohhhhhhh, Who lives in a Pineapple (none / 0) (#13)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 10:27:38 AM EST
    under the sea?

    Parent
    SpongeBob SquarePants! (none / 0) (#19)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 10:33:26 AM EST
    Absorbent and yellow and porous is he!

    /looks for jellyfishing net

    Parent

    LOL (none / 0) (#49)
    by Dr Molly on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 12:17:50 PM EST
    If nautical nonsense be something you wish...

    Then drop on the deck and flop like a fish!

    Loved watching Sponge Bob with my kids. Great kid show.

    Parent

    How in hell... (none / 0) (#6)
    by kdog on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 10:18:58 AM EST
    could Obama watch "The Wire" and still be down with the war on drugs?  It's one of the most comprehensive scathing artistic critiques of policy ever made....did the whole thing fly over his head or does he just not give a sh&t?

    Omar was my favorite character too..."A man needs a code".

    Hamsterdam (none / 0) (#7)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 10:19:47 AM EST
    thanks you guys (none / 0) (#12)
    by ruffian on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 10:26:43 AM EST
    Now I'll be singing 'Way Down in the Hole" all day - in 5 different variations.

    Parent
    I like Season 4 version the best (none / 0) (#14)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 10:28:08 AM EST
    Was that the Tom Waits? (none / 0) (#24)
    by ruffian on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 10:52:37 AM EST
    That was good. The BB King one is what is in my head most of the time, but that might only mean that I tended to let that season's DVDs sit on the the menu page longer than the others while I got ready to watch.

    Parent
    Waits was Season 2 (none / 0) (#25)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 10:53:43 AM EST
    Season 4 was the kids.

    Parent
    That's right, how could I forget. (none / 0) (#29)
    by ruffian on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 10:59:53 AM EST
    I guess the only one I didn't like that much was the reggae-style one.

    I liked having Steve Earle do the final season, since he was in it!

    thank you for recommending The Wire, by the way. I watched them all last summer after you posted on it, and got hooked. Got the DVD set for Christmas. Now I want to watch them all over again.

    Parent

    Best show ever imo (none / 0) (#32)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 11:03:24 AM EST
    By far and away (none / 0) (#56)
    by ruffian on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 12:42:49 PM EST
    In a class of its own.

    Parent
    Greenwald has another post today (none / 0) (#17)
    by oculus on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 10:32:06 AM EST
    about the success of Portugal's decriminalization of drugs.  Surprised this study isn't being touted here at TL.  

    Parent
    Not my thing (none / 0) (#18)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 10:33:11 AM EST
    Not an issue you care about. (none / 0) (#21)
    by oculus on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 10:37:31 AM EST
    But kdog and Jeralyn certainly do.  (I am not a proponent of decriminalization.)

    Parent
    No mention of... (none / 0) (#22)
    by MileHi Hawkeye on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 10:51:52 AM EST
    ...Weeds either.  I love that show...

    Parent
    Just started watching "The Wire" (none / 0) (#64)
    by caseyOR on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 01:32:48 PM EST
    this year. I don't have cable. So, I must wait for the dvd to arrive at my public library. The library "hold" list for "The Wire" is quite long. I've seen parts 1 and 2 so far. What a great show. I, too, love Omar.

    And what is it about Baltimore? Another fabulous show, "Homicide" took place on the mean streets of Baltimore.

    Parent

    Same guy! (none / 0) (#66)
    by liminal on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 03:16:23 PM EST
    David Simon is the writer/producer behind both shows: he cut his teeth with Homicide, and then made The Wire.  That's what's up with Baltimore!

    Parent
    I'm too cheap to pay for HBO these days (none / 0) (#8)
    by andgarden on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 10:20:38 AM EST
    But I've found myself rewatching Seinfeld for the 5th time in my life.

    What (none / 0) (#9)
    by TeresaInSnow2 on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 10:20:57 AM EST
    No Grey's Anatomy?  No "The Mentalist".  Now those are TRUE sci-fi shows!

    Hey now (none / 0) (#33)
    by Socraticsilence on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 11:06:19 AM EST
    apparently careful observation lets you read minds and hynotize people instantly- who knew.

    Parent
    Love 'The Wire' (none / 0) (#10)
    by ruffian on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 10:23:54 AM EST
    Can't abide 'Entourage'.  Guess I'm not that cool.

    You're cool... (none / 0) (#20)
    by kdog on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 10:34:57 AM EST
    Entourage went downhill fast after Season 1, imo.  Overrated.

    Now "Eastbound & Down"...that sh*t was hysterical.  I can't remember the last time a sitcom made me laugh out loud like that.  

    Parent

    I caught one episode of that (none / 0) (#26)
    by ruffian on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 10:55:04 AM EST
    a couple of weeks ago, and it was really funny - I'll have to go into the 'On demand' and watch the others.

    HBO is the only thing I spend money on with no remorse.

    Parent

    Do it... (none / 0) (#44)
    by kdog on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 11:56:22 AM EST
    they're all lol funny...I hope we get another season.

    Parent
    Entourage (none / 0) (#35)
    by Socraticsilence on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 11:07:02 AM EST
    is basically male wish fulfillment in the same way Sex and the City was Female wish fufillment.

    Parent
    Hmmm. (5.00 / 3) (#63)
    by Dr Molly on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 01:30:08 PM EST
    I personally don't know any women who are fans of Sex and the City. Most of my female friends would roll their eyes about that.

    Parent
    I liked it (none / 0) (#68)
    by ruffian on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 03:34:00 PM EST
    I'm not a fan in the sense that I would line up to see the movie, or go on a tour, or any of that stuff, but I enjoyed the show.

    I don't buy the wish fulfillment part though, unless it is in the sense that appreciating any fictional world and characters constitutes wish fulfillment on some level. I like Jane Austen novels too, but it doesn't mean I wish I lived in 18th century England.

    Parent

    Sure, it was obviously hugely popular. (none / 0) (#72)
    by Dr Molly on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 04:03:12 PM EST
    Just not with anyone I know!

    Parent
    Great description (none / 0) (#36)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 11:07:54 AM EST
    imo.

    Parent
    Great description indeed... (none / 0) (#54)
    by kdog on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 12:40:11 PM EST
    what red-blooded American male doen't dream of one of his friends making the big score and retiring the whole crew to a life of sex, drugs, rock-n-roll, and leisure:)

    Parent
    yer scaring me.... (none / 0) (#58)
    by ruffian on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 12:46:47 PM EST
    Don't be scared... (none / 0) (#61)
    by kdog on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 01:13:41 PM EST
    if I make the big score everybody on TL is in the entourage...for one lost weekend at least:)

    Parent
    Now I'm (none / 0) (#67)
    by ruffian on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 03:26:36 PM EST
    TERRIFIED!

    Parent
    I'm with you (none / 0) (#76)
    by otherlisa on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 05:42:01 PM EST
    I worked in the Film/TV industry for years and really have an aversion to "Entourage." It's such backslapping, wish-fulfillment fantasy stuff.

    Except Ari. I like Ari.

    Parent

    Six degrees of separation: Jeremy Piven. (none / 0) (#16)
    by oculus on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 10:30:09 AM EST


    IN my view (none / 0) (#82)
    by BobTinKY on Thu Apr 09, 2009 at 07:15:59 AM EST
    Entourage succeeds because of Piven. Ari is hysterical.

    Parent
    I've never seen the show. (none / 0) (#87)
    by oculus on Thu Apr 09, 2009 at 10:08:36 AM EST
    Has he filmed episodes after he dropped out of the Mamet play in NY?  

    Parent
    Entourage? (none / 0) (#46)
    by KoolJeffrey on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 12:02:03 PM EST
    Never understood the appeal of this show. At least he redeems himself with "The Wire", which is probably the best series in TV history (sorry "Sopranos" fans").

    Damages is great (none / 0) (#65)
    by DancingOpossum on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 02:22:20 PM EST
    Love that show! Even its moments of preposterousness are so well done they don't disturb the insane pleasure of the crazy plotlines and the incredible acting (with the exception of the useless Rose Byrne; when Glenn Close said "She'll be back" at the end of the finale, I screamed "Please God, NO!")

    I don't have HBO or Showtime or anything I have to pay extra but the only thing from HBO I miss is "Curb Your Enthusiasm."

    Very impatiently waiting for "Mad Men" to resume. And count me in on the "Boston Legal" love, too -- although truth be told I'll watch anything with James Spader in it.

    I only want her back (5.00 / 1) (#69)
    by ruffian on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 03:36:16 PM EST
    if she has a few cheeseburgers during the hiatus. It was too painful watching her hold her head up on that skinny frame this season.

    Parent
    Just backs up my maxim: (none / 0) (#70)
    by Robot Porter on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 03:41:57 PM EST
    Never worry about anything said on cable unless it's on Spongebob.

    a few cheeseburgers (none / 0) (#83)
    by DancingOpossum on Thu Apr 09, 2009 at 08:47:40 AM EST
    Yeah, ruffian -- she looks like a light bulb. Scary!! (If girlfriend needs some tips on how to gain weight I'll be more than happy to help.)

    chips and icecream (none / 0) (#86)
    by TeresaInPa on Thu Apr 09, 2009 at 09:04:36 AM EST
    should do the trick.

    Parent