And Now For Something Completely Different . .

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Off Topic
Posted on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 10:13:43 AM EST
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. . . 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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And Now For Something Completely Different . . | 87 comments (87 topical)

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did you see this BTD? (5.00 / 1) (#1)
by iceblinkjm on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 10:15:54 AM EST

http://www.theonion.com/content/news/obama_depressed_distant_since

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.


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.


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.


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.


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...


: 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.


: 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.

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.


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... = )


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.


: 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.

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...


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.


: 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.

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.:-)


: "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.

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".

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

one of these people.


Then he might not need (none / 0) (#47)
by TeresaInSnow2 on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 12:03:41 PM EST

his Hollywood liaison

(your tax dollars at work)


: 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?

: 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.

: 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.

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

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.

Yuk of the day... (5.00 / 1) (#73)
by desertswine on Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 04:04:35 PM EST

Of course it had to be in Colorado!

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.


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...


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.

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.


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. . . .


: 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...


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?


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


: 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.

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.


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.


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.


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.


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.

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.


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.)

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...


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.


: 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!

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.

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.


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.


: 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.

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.


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.


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.


: 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!

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

imo.


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:)


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:)


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

TERRIFIED!

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.


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.


: 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?

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.

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.