Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Lost on me

When faced with the option of deciphering upwards of sixty odd pages of Said and Spivak's post-colonial theory or mindlessly watching three hours of a television show that has ceased to pretend--even to itself--that it makes sense, apparently I'll take the television.

Don't worry, folks: no spoilers here. You wouldn't even believe me if I tried to spoil it, to be honest. Polar bears? In the South Pacific? Really?

It seems odd and slightly shameful to--in the same week--witness the sad, premature end of one of the better-written shows on television (RIP Dollhouse) and also the season premier of a too-long running television show. According to Ian, who denigrated and derided me for my intense interest in Jersey Shore (fist pumps!), it is people like me--the people who watch the bad television--who force shows like Dollhouse off the air. If only I had watched Eliza Dushku kick more tush, and less Snooki getting socked in the face, Joss Whedon wouldn't be searching for airtime once more. I have news, Ian. It is people like us, in fact. You can't get yourself out of this one. It's people who can't get enough of Flavor of Love, it's people who devour four seasons of Lost in under 2 months.

I, for one, despite my inability to pull myself away from Evangeline Lilly's troubled eyes or Josh Holloway's strong chin, am relieved that this is the final season. I hate Lost. I can't stop watching it, but I know it isn't good television. I am still undecided if it would be worse to believe in Lost as good tv, or watch it knowing that it isn't. Either way, I'm there, knitting through the recap as well as the two hour long season premier.

And unlike last semester, with my marathon sessions of Madmen, I can't even pretend that last night's three hours were for homework. If Madmen was questionable in terms of academic potential, there's no way I'll be able to sell Lost to these East coast academics. Or even to myself, frankly.

6 comments:

Ian D said...

Yeah, okay, okay, guilty as charged. And yeah, there's no way you can possibly make Lost fit for academia, but it's an interesting learning tool for me. Lost is a compendium of what NOT to do in a narrative (or maybe how to pander to an audience that doesn't think too hard about the show's implausibilities).

Ashley said...

lame.

Scar said...

I can't believe you too are waxing literary about Lost. For shame...and boo to Jersey Shores. Carl made me watch the opener and I wanted to cut my ear off. And make Snooki eat it. Sick...

Chelsea said...

Um, I think you can turn anything into academic material. Including Lost. Which, if you will recall, I hated with a firey passion until partway through last season when I had to admit I looked forward to "not" watching it with Matt.

marin said...

I'm one of those four seasons of lost in two months people as well. I just started watching it the beginning of december on netflix - and got all caught up in time for this season's premier. I can already tell this season is going to irritate me more than season four - but it's the last season - how can I stop now!? I'm just glad I don't have to worry about justifying why I didn't have time for homework, lol!

marin said...

for you :
http://cupcakestakethecake.blogspot.com/2010/02/10-kinds-of-lost-cupcakes.html