This is a shallow post

[swatkat]

This came up while chatting with jaybee65 this morning, and now I have a very shallow confession to make - I don't always get into a show or a character unless the actor is someone I like to look at. The real reason I started watching Angel? I was channel-surfing one day and S3's scruffy!glasses!Wesley caught my eye and I couldn't look away, although it was a silly vampire show (I know, I know). And while I have grown to completely, absolutely love everything about House (except maybe the fandom, which is batshit. of course, so is HP, so maybe I'll get used to it), the reason why I *started* watching, inspite of the fact that I *hate* doctor shows, is because everyone is so darn pretty (then House quoted the philosopher Jagger, and I was in love). And I don't care at all for Smallville, but sometimes I watch it just to look at Tom Welling.

(hello, new people! please make yourselves comfortable. i'm not always this shallow)

ETA: Oddly, I don't care at all if the characters in a book are pretty or not. Emma!Hermione, pretty is she is, is nothing like my!Hermione, who's a plain girl who *can* look good when she's all glammed up but doesn't particularly care about it. Hmm. Does the nature of the medium condition our expectations of it? Television = visual medium = eye candy?

There. Not so shallow anymore.

Comments

[hardticket.livejournal.com]

Shallow is good. *grins* We all do it. You should try Doctor Who *points to icon and stares* Sometimes the acting or the writing doesn't matter at all as long as there is Teh Pretty to look at! Supernatural is one of my Guh Shows. Both of those guys don't even need to know how to talk.

[swatkat24.livejournal.com]

I don't watch Dr. Who, but yes, both the doctors are very pretty. And Rose. Same with SPN - I don't think I'll ever watch it (if they ever air it here, that is. not my kind of show), but Sam and Dean are v. pretty.

Oddly, I don't care whether the characters are pretty in a book fandom. Movie!Hermione, pretty as she is, is not my!Hermione, simply because she's so pretty.

[jaybee65.livejournal.com]

Well...I don't necessarily need teh pretteh to be drawn into a show, although sometimes it helps. I *will* confess to this, though: if the character everyone in fandom is squeeing over doesn't happen to be my "type," I will tend to dislike that character on principle. Case in point: the two main leads of La Femme Nikita. I think they're both kind of unattractive, and while I grew to dislike the characters for other reasons, the shallow reaction got the ball rolling in that direction. (I *can* be won over to liking a character, eventually, as has happened with BSG -- where again, almost no one appealed to me on a purely eyecandy level. After watching it long enough and coming to like the characters' personalities, some of them *started* looking good. Or at least better.)

But if characters aren't presented (by TPTB, or by the fandom) as if they're *supposed* to be attractive, the lack of pretteh doesn't matter to me.

[sk56.livejournal.com]

Of course it makes a difference to you what the actors look like -- this is a medium you participate in by looking.

Which is why you don't have the same reaction to HP/Hermione -- reading is visual, but not pictorial.

[swatkat24.livejournal.com]

I on the other hand watched Nikita because the way Nikita looked at Michael after the date turned out to be a mission *broke my heart* and because I thought Paul was rather dashing, although he was being nasty to the poor girl. I kinda ignored Michael till Escape, and really fell for him only after Hard Landing.

if the character everyone in fandom is squeeing over doesn't happen to be my "type," I will tend to dislike that character on principle

LOL! I don't think I do that.

I think they're both kind of unattractive

!!!!!! Different strokes, I know.

[swatkat24.livejournal.com]

Of course it makes a difference to you what the actors look like -- this is a medium you participate in by looking.


I know, I know. It is only somewhat disturbing when I think that I'm falling into the same stereotype I at times criticise.

[jaybee65.livejournal.com]

LOL. What can I say? I think both RD and PW kind of, um, have weird-looking facial features. (Sorry!!) And ye gods, RD doesn't help himself by having had the most unflattering hairstyles *ever*.

But I tend to have quirky taste in what I think is attractive, so just ignore me.

[sk56.livejournal.com]

The gods conspire to keep all of us from getting too smug.

[debbiebiv.livejournal.com]

I must be shallow too, because 9 outta 10 times when i watch a show it is usually because one or more of the characters is visually appealing. Or I think I can see a spark of chemistry between two characters.

As for LFN, it was the sparks between Paul and Maddy in Inside Out that I caught on cable. *sigh* Ahhh, those were the days!

[nell65.livejournal.com]

It's a part of what I respond too.

I loved the old Lois and Clark, partially b/c Dean Cain is quite handsome, but especially b/c I though that Terri Hatcher, especially in the first season, maybe first two, was stunniningly beautiful - in part because she had a certain (for TV) physical heft - a voluptuous figure, hips, full breasts, broad shoulders, a fullness around her jaw that gave her a strenght and determination that suited Lois Lane (the one in my head) - that gave her a physical balance with Dean Cain. As she got progressiviely skinnier - Lois got progressively stupider, more emotionaly fragile, and more in need of resuce by manly Dean.

One of the reasons I don't watch Desperate Housewives is that I find Hatcher's current skeletal look so hideous in comparison to her earlier curvatiousness that I can't ever see her without thinking, "man, you used to be beautiful."

I dont know where I was going with this exactly, but, um - yeah. How characters look in TV really does matter to me. I fell for Nikita in her red dress stalking toward evil Alec Chandler - entirely because of the way she was so physically defiant in the face of her disgust, and so utterly without visible fear in the face of such potential danger. I actually am among those who thought RD was pretty funny looking, for quite a long time actually - until I realized that Michael loved my gal, completely and without reservation. Then I realized that maybe he was kinda cute after all!

[labellamafia494.livejournal.com]

See, I'm always shallow. Even in Wicked, my Elphie has a "pretty" face, despite its greeness. *g*

And then if a character happens to be my type, if I didn't find them particularly attractive at first, I will later on when the fannish glee comes. Like Grey's Anatomy's Addison (what is it with this medical show obsession although we usually *loathe* the genre?) or Maureen in Rent.

[jaybee65.livejournal.com]

OMG, Teri Hatcher! I never saw Lois and Clark so I can't compare her current appearance to what she used to look like. But every time I see her on DH (or promotional stuff these days) I want to run out and buy the woman a large bucket of KFC.

[nell65.livejournal.com]

Isn't it awful? Even worse are some of the paparazzi shots when she isn't glamed up and posed to cover the worst of the protrouding bones.

I can't imagine why anyone thinks that look is attractive.

Part of the reason I fell so hard for Lois and Clark was that I though TH was so georgous and so 'real' looking - if unusually lovely - and I loved that they had cast and written the show that way.

[nell65.livejournal.com]

Try this link:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/aa/Teri_Hatcher_is_Lois_Lane.jpg

[nell65.livejournal.com]

And now that I think of it, not all that unlike the way I saw PW's Nikita.

Hmmm. *g*

[jaybee65.livejournal.com]

Oh, definitely less skeletal! No jutting collarbones or anything! LOL.

[jaybee65.livejournal.com]

Wait...what's like the way you saw PW's Nikita? Because you're replying to my comment about wanting to buy TH greasy fried chicken, but somehow I don't think that's what you mean. LOL.

[(Anonymous)]

Uh. No. - I got lost in googling images.... *g*

I meant, that later on, I liked that PW's Nikita was presented, believably, as physically strong and capable, and more than able to hold her own on the physical level with men by occupying space in the same kind of powerful way. I thought that TH's Lois Lane could do that, at least, early in the series.

[jaybee65.livejournal.com]

Ahhhhhh. OK. Gotcha.

I liked that PW's Nikita was presented, believably, as physically strong and capable, and more than able to hold her own on the physical level with men by occupying space in the same kind of powerful way.

I agree with you there. While I (as I said above) found PW sort of strange-looking (and not in a good way), I did like the fact that she at least seemed genuinely athletic. One thing I have always disliked about Alias, in contrast, is that Jennifer Garner is just *not* believable beating anyone up, by any stretch of the imagination. She must weigh, what, 90 pounds?

[jaybee65.livejournal.com]

You replied anon below, so wanted to let you know I answered! *g*

[jaybee65.livejournal.com]

And, since this gives me a chance to pimp my current fannish obsession: you would *LOVE* Starbuck in the new Battlestar Galactica. I'm willing to bet actual money on that.

[swatkat24.livejournal.com]

Of course Elphie is pretty! She looks like this. *points to icon*

And then if a character happens to be my type, if I didn't find them particularly attractive at first, I will later on when the fannish glee comes. Like Grey's Anatomy's Addison

Word, word. And I've been resisting Grey's Anatomy (they just started airing) - enough with the medical shows already! (and I can't afford to watch even more tv)

what is it with this medical show obsession although we usually *loathe* the genre?

I blame the pretty. And the fact that we are shallow.

[msgenevieve.livejournal.com]

I think you shall find my answer (http://msgenevieve.livejournal.com/74276.html#cutid1) rather easy to understand.

*smirks*

[msgenevieve.livejournal.com]

I don't watch Dr. Who.

Much to my disappointment.

Have you checked to see if that computer of yours plays DVDs yet? *pokes you*

[swatkat24.livejournal.com]

I, OTOH, watch Alias (when I do watch it), solely for Jennifer Garner. And out of the hope that the episode will have Lena Olin in it. (also, Sark v. pretty)

[swatkat24.livejournal.com]

You should make posts like that more often. *happy sigh*

[swatkat24.livejournal.com]

It won't, but there might be some software that can help. I've been asking around. *eg*

[swatkat24.livejournal.com]

I think both RD and PW kind of, um, have weird-looking facial features.

Actually, they do. It takes time to get used to it. Much like James Marsters.

[swatkat24.livejournal.com]

Their chemistry in Inside Out is just gah.

[swatkat24.livejournal.com]

Ugh. Teri Hatcher is *extremely* skinny. Pretty, yes, but so damn bony.

a large bucket of KFC

I have to say - I do not get the appeal of KFC. Their chicken is absolutely tasteless.

[jaybee65.livejournal.com]

Exactly! He's another one I don't find appealing at all.

[jaybee65.livejournal.com]

Oh, I don't mind Jennifer Garner otherwise (she's a bit bland-looking, though), but I cringe at all the fight scenes.

Now, Lena Olin -- *that* is an example of someone I'll watch for completely shallow reasons! She's the only reason I watched any Alias, actually.

[swatkat24.livejournal.com]

He's funny-looking, actually. But his smile... *sigh*

But he's nowhere near David Boreanaz, Tony Head, Alexis Denisof or J. August Richards in the hotness scale, as far as I'm concerned.

[jaybee65.livejournal.com]

Oh, absolutely. But very, very fattening, which is the goal here. *g*

[swatkat24.livejournal.com]

Lena Olin is just... I have no words. It's just not the way she looks, its the way *acts* - her expressions, her eyes... I ♥ Lena Olin.

[swatkat24.livejournal.com]

Oh, absolutely. But very, very fattening, which is the goal here. *g*

Point. (also, good morning!)

[jaybee65.livejournal.com]

It's just not the way she looks, its the way *acts* - her expressions, her eyes

Still pictures (as gorgeous as they are) don't do her justice. You have to see video to appreciate that. *Swoon*

[jaybee65.livejournal.com]

Morning! *Waves* I'm doing my pre-coffee-wake-up tour of the internet before I hit the shower and head to work.

[swatkat24.livejournal.com]

No, they don't. She's the best damn actor in the show (although I do enjoy JG's role).

[jaybee65.livejournal.com]

Alexis Denisof! Now there's some pretteh.

[swatkat24.livejournal.com]

I'm procrastinating. I should return to Browning. *sigh*

[swatkat24.livejournal.com]

Sigh. He's the reason I watched Angel in the first place. I just watched the episode where Evil!Cordy kills Lilah and Wesley has to chop off her head (that's true love, that is), and he realises that they really did have something there and he cries... Broken!Wesley is so, so pretty.

And then Faith came in, and I nearly jumped off my seat in glee.

[nell65.livejournal.com]

I'm pretty sure I would too - but I don't get the right channels - and I haven't had the time this year to even finish watching my precious LFN S3 DVDs........much less enter an entirely new fandom....... *sigh*

[jaybee65.livejournal.com]

I don't get the right TV channel, either, but the DVDs are easy to get! You might consider just renting the 3-part miniseries that kicked it off in 2003: it's enough to get the flavor of the show and characters, but as it's only 3 hours you don't feel like you're committing to watch anything long and time-consuming.

Or, you know, if your computer plays DVDs, I could be persuaded to lend you the disk with the miniseries.

[msgenevieve.livejournal.com]

Ask around some more. Because then I can send you Prison Break as well. *points to icon*

[msgenevieve.livejournal.com]

I pretty much don't need any more encouragement than that, lol!