Jack Borer? (Or how I learned to stop watching and hate 24)
Posted by Sarah Anne Parker on December 17, 2008
American dramas have become a thorn in my side. I can’t go to work, or round my friends without hearing the words “have you see the latest episode of … yet?” I have a few issues with them, like the endless cliff-hangers, the explosives, the cheesy one liners and that they are all so pretty or hunky despite being put under the most extreme conditions.
24 was not 24 episodes long, they decided that Bauer just didn’t have such a shitty day after all and made another few series of it. Prison Break should really have ended when they broke out of prison, but they also decided that it needed to be longer. The Lost series should end now, it’s BORING!!
I have had a few conversations recently about these types of TV shows, and I kinda do have the attention span of a goldfish, but they are just too long. The perfect series for me was the BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. 6 episodes long, well acted and everyone is happy at the end. Why does everything have to be blown to pieces, or shot, or found out, or mistaken for a Polar Bear? (I don’t watch Lost; all I know is there was talk of a Polar Bear in it).
I recently decided to watch 24, seeing as everyone raved about it. I got to the bit where Terry developed amnesia, Kim was in prison being a bratty bitch and Jack was pretty much having sex with his own ego when I decided that I couldn’t take anymore. I must confess that in the beginning I loved it…then it just became a bit too silly.
Reader Comments
I’m right with you on the 24 thing. I watched the first few seasons of 24, and the campery of the ‘who will kidnap Kim this time’ or ‘how many times can Bauer take being dead before it kills him’ storylines soon became tired. I watched half of the fourth series as someone excitedly lent me the box-set, but the sheer horror of President Logan’s face put me off the show permanently.
Yet, I do NOT agree with your casual dismissal of LOST. You said you don’t even watch it! We’re talking solid-gold, a-grade entertainment here. Granted, seasons 2 and 3 were a little slow in points, but even at its weakest, LOST towers above most other shows. Plus, as they know exactly when the show will end now, they can give us all the good stuff without the need for treading-water. I suggest you grow some cojones and watch it. *points accusing finger*.
I stand by everything I have said. Everything.
You’re standing by a world of pain.
In fact, i’ve been thinking about writing a flowery and over-long piece about THE GREATEST TV SHOWS EVER! So eat it.
Eat it? Oh, I’ll eat it alright, eat it with a knife and fork!
Hmm, I completely disagree with what you’v said. Of course, Im not angry writing here but expressing my opinion ;)
Anyway, to further my end of the debate.
Its good TV shows like these that take lots of planning, many writers and thought to develop that make them any good. What makes them better than a movie is that the twists are just endless, as you pointed out, because of seasons. Fair enough if you dont like a show (theres several I could mention I wouldnt watch) but its the sheer endless pressure the characters are under that make it good.
Unrealistic… Sure, but why not. And of course you want a negative spin on things otherwise you’d end up with seasons of cribs end to end.
I think this TV shows great creativity and excitement in worlds that we common folk dont live.
Now Im going to pick on 2 shows that DONT deserve praise. Soaps being one. Poorly written drivel supposed to reflect on reality. My girlfriend and house mate watch just about all of them. All I can figure is that in their reality everyone should be cheating on each other, shouting a lot and perhaps drinking at an inappropriate time to ruin “sallys” birthday. These people have miserable lives and I think the realism they portray runs into real life families (Not mine… at least not as often).
Next Im picking on reality TV. Not house finders or travel programs etc. But Come dancing, Louis Walsh, Simon Coward.. Big Brother. These self made Celebs should be shot for wasting everyones time.
Anyway, Dont bash well written tv. I think its all that is left to save the box.
Sai, you’re right that there are worse things than 24. Much worse. And you’ve given a few examples… but it’s probably run its course now, i’d imagine.
That said, I haven’t seen any of the new stuff so I can’t really judge. Sarah wrote this post (as you may have noticed) and she vowed to attack and kill anyone to dares disagree, so just… be careful. I’d hate anything to happen to you.
Sai, you are right there are TV shows much worse that 24, but there are also so many better TV shows than 24. I will kill you for what you have said…but if Jack even tries to stop me, I will kill him so badly that he will be in hosptial for a week…or something :S
Amen. haha.
fair enough if you arnt a fan of cop action drama.
I’ll say no more so I dont die a horrid realistic death.
Well I’m hurt.
Sarah’s art is pain, and she’s about to paint her masterpiece.
Steve, how can you say 24 has run its course when there are so many series that are longer.
Did Sopranos ever run its course? In my opinion it had a lot of fight still left.
How about Star Gate, Buffy or the star treks and spin offs? They run far longer and retain interest and a strong fan base.
Has Lost lost it? I dont think so as it had a pre-set story line that hasnt run yet (Though its obvious some episodes were unnecessary).
Prison Break on the other hand really only had the first season planned out. Saying that, Im a prison break fan but for all the wrong reasons. I think its terribly acted and has so many loop hopes it has turned into a comedy by mistake (which makes it better in a bizarre way).
Anyway. Im a fan of well thought out series with good script, sound and camera work. Im not a fan of home made celebs and unscripted tv
Well, no-one approves of unscripted TV, i’m sure. But I think with the premise of 24, it would be exciting for 1 season, really. There’s no real continuation between seasons… a day starts, lots of people run around talking on mobiles… and it ends exactly 24 hours later.
Series like the Sopranos etc, had a story with follows the progression of it’s characters… like LOST. 24 is focused more on keeping up the action and the pace, and not about much else.
I liked 24, as it was just kinda no-brained fun, and that’s all it’s meant to be, so yes… I don’t really have a problem with it, i just think the premise has gotten a little old now.
My art is pain? I like that Ste! HAHA!
From what I saw of the Sopranos I liked a lot. It was very well written and acted, whereas Jack Bauer is just a rude and selfish bastard. He doesn’t answer the phone, he just screams “BAUER!” Plus, he is really arsed that his family are in trouble, yet he shows no connection with all the people he kills…no one ever thinks of the henchmens family! I think that the whole “Men want to be him, women want to sleep with him’ thing is really annoying too.
I just want to sleep with him.
I thought it was rude when Tony Soprano killed his mates several times over….
Jack Bauer and I did a little frigging.