When did tv shows become so partisan

When I watch television I don't think that the particular show I am watching will fulfill my partisan lining, but apparently according to the Nelson Ratings system, people of certain partying leanings watch similar television. I could understand this if it was all obvious leanings, such as Republicans watch the Bill Engvall Show and Democrats watch It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. These are actual television show party leanings, but there are other shows that I wouldn't think would have such leanings. Maybe that is because I watch them, and I don't understand why they would be popular amongst democrats and not republicans, and vice versa.


Looking at the Democrat leanings, I immediately look at I Love New York. What makes that show more akin to the party of the people as opposed to Rock of Love which is more akin to the Grand Ole Party. I am pretty sure I watch both and that most people I know watch both. They are both on VH1, many times would air following each other, but still have party leanings. I could stereotype here to figure out why they have their particular partisan alignment, but I will do that in my head, as you are probably doing right now. Eff it, essentially what they are saying is a show about a crazy black woman Democrats like and a show featuring an entire house full of rednecks would obviously be favorable to Republicans.

What makes this list even more interesting is aligning your television show watching with the particular partisan audience it matches up to. I like South Park, Doctor Who, The Colbert Report, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, but none of the shows that are supposedly equal to both party television watchers. Does that make me a flip flopper because I don't specifically align myself with my fellow party television watchers? Should I start watching Damages because I am a Republican, because I can't stand that show? Or, should I start watching Ax men because I am a democrat because I don't particularly like any of those crazy job shows on the History Channel. I would really like someone to explain to me why a British show has a Republican leaning, that still doesn't make sense to me. Maybe it is because The Doctor wears those nice suits. Republicans like their suits.

Writing Emmy Nods

This is the one category that actually recognizes the greatness of television series. It doesn't just rely on popular programming such as Grey's Anatomy or Two and a Half Men. It realizes that many shows have great writing, even if they are not watched by mainstream audiences.

Outstanding Writing for Comedy Series:
James Bobin, Jemaine Clement, Bret McKenzie- Flight of the Conchords (episode: "Yoko")
Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky- The Office ("Dinner Party")
Bryan Fuller- Pushing Daisies (episode- "Pie-lette")
Jack Burditt- 30 Rock (episode- "Rosemary's Baby")
Tina Fey- 30 Rock (episode- "Cooter")


I enjoy 30 Rock and The Office keeps me entertained, but there is not surprise for these nominations. I was happy for Bryan Fuller because he deserves to getting recognition for being a great television screenwriter. The ATAS failed to realize the genius coming from Dead Like Me, so at least they have come to their senses and realized that Pushing Daisies is another great from Bryan Fuller.Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement's hilarious nature and obvious genius writing carried Flight of the Conchords for its entire first season. "Yoko" is a great episode about the Yoko-factor, when Jemaine starts to believe a girl named Coco is attempting to break up the band.

I am holding out for these two nods in September, but the Office and 30 Rock will probably prevail again.

Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series:
Michael Angeli- Battlestar Galactica (episode: "Six of One")
Todd A. Kessler, Glenn Kessler, Daniel Zelman- Damages (episode: "Get Me A Lawyer")
Matthew Weiner, Robin Veith- Mad Men (episode: "The Wheel")
David Simon, Ed Burns- The Wire (episode: "-30-")


This is finally a category for writing that realized that there are great shows out there that aren't just on network television. First The Wire finally gets recognized in a writing category even though they completely ignored them for Outstanding Drama Series in its last season when it has been one of the best Drama series on television. Also Mad Men continues with its domination in drama categories for this years Emmy nods. First with a nomination for the pilot and another nomination for "The Wheel".

Finally, we have the first writing nomination for Battlestar Galactica. This was one of the things that made me excited about the nominations when they were released. This show has had great writing from the beginning, but ATAS still seems to think that Sci Fi Channel shows should only be nominated in technical categories. Well in your face. This show is good and the writing is amazing. Maybe next year you will realize that the acting is great also.

Top 10 Dramas

In my continuation of the Emmy's Top Ten Best ... Lists, I will now dwell on the chosen dramas. Oh television drama; filling my life with pointless plots, depthless characters, and terrible writing. I still love it all. This list is well...eclectic...:

Top 10 Dramas:
Boston Legal
Damages
Dexter
Friday Night Lights
Grey's Anatomy
Mad Men
House
Lost
The Tudors
The Wire

Unlike my last rant, I will start with what I like to call "you better recognize these great, but underrated shows". First, Friday Night Lights. This show is amazing. As someone who doesn't like sports, it doesn't matter. For someone who does like sports, it might be a bit artsy for you. The acting is great, the writing is amazing, the film editing is ingenious. The viewership, is quite lackluster. For the ATAS to recognize this show is an example of how America doesn't watch good television, they watch shit, like Grey's Anatomy, but I will come to that later. I will hold on to you Friday Night Lights for as long as possible, just like I did with Firefly, Freaks and Geeks, and Veronica Mars.

Speaking of others shows that need to be given their worth, and ATAS is helping them out here: The Wire. Even if most people aren't even aware of its existence, you should be because it is a great show. The Tudors, another good choice ATAS. I do enjoy watching King Henry shag everyone in sight. Another thumbs up to you for Dexter. This show is finally being recognized for its great... uh everything. I was getting tired of worn out cop shows like CSI and Law and Order, but then Showtime gave us the other side; the serial killers side. I have been happy ever since. Finally Mad Men, I love this show and you should too.

I am, I guess you could say, ambivalent about the sudden obsession with law dramas. Boston Legal and Damages are very good shows. They entertain me... sometimes. Actually, I can't stand Denny Crane and anything with Glenn Close in it. But they are both better than The Practice and Ally McBeal (yea go cry about menopause with that stupid dancing baby).


Now to my rant about Grey's Anatomy. Why is this a great show. The first season was entertaining, the second season kept me intrigued, ever since the show has been terrible. Yes Katherine "I'm a Bitch" Heigel. I agree with you! This show has no right to be on this list. What was great about this season: nothing. Nothing has been great about this show for two years. Emmy's, stop holding on to this show. It is giving us nothing anymore. Seriously, how many times can Meridith and McDreamy get back together? Ross and Rachel blew that fuse 7 years ago.

Snubs: uh, Battlestar Galactica? Just because it is on SciFi doesn't mean it isn't a great show. The writing is amazing and the characters actually have depth, unlike McDreamy, McSteamy, McFlurry, Mc Griddle, and what ever effing nicknames they have on that show. Please recognize this show next year. It is all it has. Big Love also a snub. Breaking Bad was also a great show that the writers' strike effed over. Well at least Desperate Housewives is not on anything. God that show is annoying.