I have discussed my online video viewing habits before. I know that it’s almost a mandate that cable networks push the envelope and I appreciate their pushing, but lately I have noticed something perhaps disturbing in the shows I like to watch.
Here are my current favourite US Cable shows to watch online, can you see the pattern?
- Weeds
- The Wire
- Breaking Bad
- The Client List
- Bored to Death
- Sons of Anarchy
- Boardwalk Empire
The common element? They each glorify an illegal activity.
- Weeds – single mom turns to selling pot to support her family
- The Wire – the Baltimore drug trade from both sides of the coin
- Breaking Bad – chemistry teacher turned meth lab operator
- The Client List – single mom turns to rub ‘n tugs to support her family
- Bored to Death – main characters are all pot heads
- Sons of Anarchy – guns, drugs, prostitution … they’re bikers, pretty much everything these guys touch is illegal
- Boardwalk Empire – Prohibition era look at illegal booze
But like watching a train wreck or listening to Howard Stern, I just can’t stop myself. All these shows are well written, well produced and have some extremely talented actors. I know there are dozens of others, but I started watching these after recommendations from friends and social networks. So what is the lure behind these shows? Why are they so popular?
Or is it just me? Am I the warped one and everyone else is normal?
Comments are open!