Parks and Recreation Is Going on Hiatus

by Nicole Cliffe · October 22, 2013

imgresWhy? (Ratings.)

No, really though, it took me a whole season to warm up to it, and now I’m crazy about the show and will miss it terribly when it goes. What are you watching, and which shows have you lost? Is American Horror Story any good? Why is Homeland boring this season? (Sunday’s episode was better.) If you’ve been hanging onto any (spoiler-free) Breaking Bad thoughts, we’ll accept them at this time.

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194 Comments

  1. bxamsm

    YESSSSS. Of course, they also seem to be positing that the British are in league with Satan and that the Germans are irredeemably evil, which should be problematic but I am presently untroubled.

        1. daisymap +4

          I’m pretty excited about Broad City, which isn’t out yet, but which I think will be great.

    2. Elizabeth W +10

      I’m really enjoying Trophy Wife, which is much better than its name suggests. Also, Brooklyn Nine-Nine.

      1. nightsstar +10

        I’m enjoying Brooklyn Nine-Nine too, and I think it’s also by the P&R creators. But I think you have to be ok w/ watching Andy Samberg.

        1. mandarinmarie +10

          Yeah, Brooklyn Nine-Nine is solid. It’s no Parks and Rec, but I’m pretty sure Parks and Rec is the greatest television show of all time, so.

        3. 900ccs +4

          Seconded on both points, although I will say that Andy Samberg only really gets unbearably Andy Samberg-y once or twice per episode.

          Anyway, I’d nominate Comedy Bang! Bang! for more good funny TV, even though I think the second season’s been worse than the first so far and I’m still kind of put off by Scott Aukerman’s weird sexist joke about Joy Division fans that he never actually apologized for.

    3. supernintendo +6

      It’s not on right now, but I just caught up on Drunk History, and I think it’s really well done and hilarious. All the episodes are on Hulu+.

    5. Prawns +3

      Despite being on CBS, I really like the new show “Mom”. Alison Janney is just the greatest, it’s pretty funny, and seems to pass the Bechdel test for at least half of every episode.

  3. icebergmama +9

    I’m anxiously awaiting the return of Game of Thrones, Orphan Black AND Elementary now. Watching New Girl and (downloaded) Australia’s Next Top Model for my fix of Aussie scenery/accents and people calling each other bush pigs and molls.

    1. evieskye +2

      OMG Orphan Black. Yes yes yes. I am also loving Continuum and I have a soft-spot for the stupid but sweet Lost Girl.

      1. dance4freedum +1

        All. Of. These.
        Basically I am a sucker for anything un-reality-ish with a female main character…. Who wears lots of black and kick-ass boots.

        But I miss the crap out of Happy Endings. :o( And now P&R {quietly weeping}….

    2. meetapossum +2

      My friends and I have been playing the Game of Thrones board game all summer, so I am SO EXCITED for season 4.

    4. MrsTeacherFace +4

      Ugh, Game of Thrones, I love it so much. George R. R. Martin commented that he’s afraid the tv show will move faster than his ability to write the books and I’m like LOOK BITCH it will be years, YEARS until the show is caught up to the series and they are even dividing book 3 into two seasons, which will probably also maybe happen with books 4 and 5 and that is STILL not enough time? But then I’m not a writer and I don’t want to hurry him, which might make the books terrible, I just want them so much.

  4. daisymap +10

    I am still super into Nashville. Though people say this season is too soapy, my enjoyment has not been diminished. Have I lost control of my critical faculties? Probably. As usual.

      1. daisymap +1

        When you get to the episode with the ‘Wentworth’ family, I mean, they’re the Murdochs, right?

    2. supernintendo +4

      I loooove Nashville. I think the soapy aspects are part of the fun. The representations of women on the show make me so happy– the fact that Connie Britton’s story as a mother and middle-aged woman even exists is awesome, and I love that they’ve made Juliette such a difficult character to like. That scene in the first episode of this season where she was “interviewing” an assistant? Amazing! I also like how they show the ups and downs of the music industry and the people trying to break into it, particularly in Avery and Gunnar and how a huge career moment one week will fizzle out the next. Nashville endorsement!

    3. mkpatter +1

      Wait, people don’t watch Nashville for the soapiness and sequins, because that is the only reason I watch Nashville.

  5. mariasvdotcom +5

    Does anyone else ever wonder what might have been if they’d just let Smash run another season?

    2. evieskye +2

      I quit Smash after a few episodes but I miss Rachel Shukert’s recaps soooo much. RIP Kyle Goblinweed.

  7. onphonecantlogin +15

    I’m watching the charming and cheesey Sleepy Hollow. I have bad taste, OK?

    Delectable Detriment

    1. JocastaCarr +8

      I’m enjoying the hell out of Sleepy Hollow, no shame! Yay for a smart, capable, three-dimensional African American female lead (but fingers crossed that they don’t try to have romantic tension between her and Ichabod – I love the partnership/friendship they’ve got going). I just kind of have to turn off the part of my brain that knows even the most basic facts about American history. I definitely get how it’s too cheesy/over the top for some people, but I think they do a great job of blending the outlandish supernatural elements with drama/suspense and humor – Ichabod and Yolanda the OnStar lady! The best. And Tom Mison is just so scruffy and British and adorable.

      1. EPWordsnatcher +11

        I’m not too worried about the historical anachronisms, because the storyline centers around the headless horseman who is also a horseman of the apocalypse and G Dubbs was trying to save our country’s soul and eternal future, and also there is a spirit world and marginal levels of time travel.

        (I am really enjoying this show a lot.)

        2. msjinxie +5

          Oh, historical anachronisms! Last week’s episode had me googling “middle English” and when it was used and I started to get all annoyed at the show and then I remembered that it, as you said, “centers around the headless horseman who is also a horseman of the apocalypse” and switched to searching for Ichabod gifs instead.

      2. onphonecantlogin +1

        I’m in the UK so s couple of episodes behind but I am already invested in this very stupid show.

    3. cherrispryte +10

      Sleepy Hollow is absolutely amazing and I am in love with it. (Standard disclaimer that the “Native American shaman with magical blue tea” thing was inexcusably racist, but ASIDE FROM THAT.)

      Is everyone following Orlando Jones’ tumblr? He is the biggest fanboy of his own damn show. Its amazing.

      1. msjinxie +5

        I also loved the wee twitter “fight” between the creators of Sleepy Hollow and the people behind (I think?) Elementary.
        ETA: I just found the tumblr and one of my favorite things about it are the tags he uses on posts.

    4. Janie_S +8

      Sleepy Hollow is the best thing on TV right now and I will not hear ONE WORD SAID AGAINST IT. NOT ONE.

    6. sandwichharlot +3

      Yes. It is the dumbest (and super racist while actually trying not to be racist) show I’ve ever seen, but I love it so much.

    7. katfbward +1

      Sleepy Hollow is delightful! Witches. Sisters. A convoluted time travel plot that would make J.J. Abrams jealous! Charming English man. And somehow a tiny town in upstate New York that has the world’s most diverse police department.

  8. Lily Rowan +16

    Nooooo!!! I don’t understand why America doesn’t love Parks & Rec. It’s so good-hearted.

    I think about to give up Castle, which, Nathan Fillion, but still. (Only somewhat related to the fact that I’m about to give up my DVR and it’s on at 10, and I’m too old to watch shows at 10 OR find them online or whatever.)

    1. Spriggina +2

      I feel the same way about Castle. I think I’ll wait til there’s the DVD release and then one day when I’m sick or distracted or stressed, and want something really straightforward and unserious, I’ll watch a whole ton of the episodes. But it’s really not a big priority for me to see what happens next. I just like Nathan Fillion a bunch.

    2. EPWordsnatcher +5

      I continue to watch Castle, though it may be out of habit at this point. I do love Nathan Fillion and that cast has such good chemistry.

      Then again, I still watch Grey’s Anatomy, so clearly I’m not good at letting go.

      1. MrsTeacherFace +2

        I’m still watching Grey’s Anatomy, although my husband makes fun of me every time because it is definitely not great at this point.

    3. blushingflower +3

      I go back and forth on Castle. All the episodes from this season are in my Hulu queue and for whatever reason I just don’t feel like watching them. I suspect at some point I will binge watch them all.

  10. tekkah +6

    I watch Scandal, Revenge, Sleepy Hollow, and Agents of SHIELD.

    Sleepy Hollow is one you have to turn your brain off to really, truly be able to enjoy (otherwise you end up like me, wondering why 1600s people would be using a language that was used in the 1300s AHEM, or why Ichabod Crane has a modern British English accent and someone please let him change out of his burial clothing for frick’s sake and and and nevermind), and SHIELD is kind of… formulaic SciFi/Fantasy (in the vein of Stargate: Atlantis) so far, but Revenge and Scandal are ON POINT this season so far. Loving them both.

    I’m especially happy to see Revenge back in good shape — they literally used the first 10 minutes of this season’s premiere to use expository dialogue to just wipe out all the bad plotlines they’d cornered themselves with last season. Fantastic, and also hilarious.

    I’m waiting for Game of Thrones to come back, and I also watch MasterChef Junior and America’s Next Top Model, for more brainless entertainment than anything else. Also for adorableness, in the case of MCJ.

    1. EPWordsnatcher +5

      I am STILL waiting for AoS to figure itself out. It’s given me very little reason to care about the main characters so far.

      edit: except for Coulson who I love forever.

        1. EPWordsnatcher +5

          I’m slowly getting attached to FitzSimmons, and I want more Melinda May, but Skye and Ward can go wander off into a swamp for all I care.

          1. Janie_S +8

            Yes. If we could have a show with Coulson, Melinda and FitzSimmons wandering about doing spyscience with occasional visits from Maria Hill – that might be a show I would actually want to watch.

          4. tekkah +2

            I’d actually be MORE impressed if his (infrequent, so as not to lean too heavily on the films) cameos would somehow tie into the plot. The shouting at Coulson was fun, but felt way too much like pandering (even if that’s exactly what it was).

        2. TheRenleigh +5

          They can kill off everyone but Coulson and May and then they can go around being sad but also needing to make a new team out of people who aren’t total nothings.

          3. Bittersweet +1

            Please let it be Skye, please let it be Skye…she needs to get tragically offed by a Malaysian warlord using alien technology, and then they’re sad for a week and then bring someone on board with a personality.

      1. tekkah +1

        You and me both! I feel like it’s slowly (SO SLOWLY) improving, but I worry that it just won’t get anywhere near “actually good” before the fans jump ship out of sheer impatience. Everyone I know has crazy high hopes for this show but it’s just not delivering.

        1. mkpatter +4

          I had to quit AoS after episode 2, which was really boring, and in which they used a Mayan pyramid and said it was Incan, and it made me really ragey, even though I am not even like, a central or south american history scholar.

    3. Janie_S +10

      Ichabod Crane can change out of most of his clothes but the coat must stay. They can introduce him to dry cleaning. It will be adorably hilarious, somehow.

      1. Bittersweet +2

        I read somewhere recently (EW? online?) that the Sleepy Hollow creators will *never* let Icky change out of his historical wear because “then the show loses its heart” or some such nonsense. Honestly, I could see an enjoyable subplot in which Abby introduces him to the wonders of jeans and stretch t-shirts, and he says, Screw this 200-year-old itchy wool crap, and then they go out for drinks.

        2. msjinxie +2

          One of their explanations for the wardrobe is that they didn’t want the character to look comfortable, because that would take away from his being super out of place in the modern world. Which, I guess I get, and I do love that coat of his, but there are few pop culture tropes I love more than a good makeover montage so you know what side of the argument I’m on.

      2. tekkah +1

        If they have to make him keep the clothes forever, can they at least have a scene in which Abbie very obviously teaches him how to work a laundry machine? THAT WOULD DO.

        1. mkpatter +1

          Well, they bought laundry soap last week before shit went down, so she obviously INTENDS to.

  11. rickmoranis +6

    SCANDALLLLLLLLL

    Also, I watched Trophy Wife because I have residual West Wing-related feelings for Bradley Whitford, and it’s pretty cute! Funnier than recent Modern Family, and also added benefit of Josh Lyman.

    1. Rianne +2

      Bradley Whitford is on Trophy Wife?
      I was super crushed that Josh’s fansite does not actually exist.

      I am currently watching The West Wing for the first time. At markwatches.net where we all review episodes together and laugh and ship all the people and it is wonderful </shameless plug>

      1. anachronistique +1

        Mark is a delight and the reason I am also watching for the first time! (Though I raced ahead into Season 5 and then hit a wall.)

    2. honey cowl +2

      I just started Scandal on Friday and watched the entire first season and most of the second season over the weekend and I’m in WITHDRAWAL.

    3. Alli525 +2

      Oh Bradley Whitford. <3

      He was on an episode of Parks & Rec though and he was nearly unrecognizable… either really good makeup or he has not aged well a la Mark Hamill. :/

  12. thesarahgirl +3

    In a totally different vein, the only show I really keep track of these days is Face Off (on SyFy) – who do people think will win this season? My vote is for Laura or Miranda, but it’ll probably be Laura. Also, Miranda is so ~pretty~, I have a little crush on her.

    1. lonely cheese +1

      Love Face Off so much! It’s so oddly engrossing. No idea who will win but I’m annoyed that Miranda keeps Taylor Swifting it – like omg, me? What?!? – every times she (deservedly) wins a challenge.

  13. And then Katie said +2

    Agents of SHIELD! My friends and I have little viewing parties at each other’s apartments every week, it’s dorky and awesome.

  14. bgprincipessa +3

    Ugh, I am so distraught about this.

    Question because usually I don’t pay attention to TV ratings unless it’s affecting my life (like now): I don’t have TV, but Parks is one show that I always watch using the NBC app whenever a new episode is out. (And obviously Netflix for older seasons, on repeat, ad nauseam). Does my using the NBC app help ratings at all? Like this is the only thing I feel bad about not having TV for, so that I cannot support this wonderful show.

    1. GrizzlyAdam'sPetBear +4

      Short answer: Yes, it gets lumped into the +7 numbers, which are increasingly important to marketers. Its even better for the show if you watch it online closer to when it runs on the air.

    2. carmencicero +5

      Don’t worry about it, because the only way you watching it on a TV would help is if Neilsen contacted you and gave you twenty bucks and a box to record what you watch. Otherwise, they have no clue if you’re watching on TV. Watching on the app is actually better – at least they know how many people watch it, although they don’t count it in the official ratings.

  15. eastcoastanne +4

    Now that I am thinking about the shows I watch, I realize I watch much too much TV. I watch P&R, but also am big on Fox’s tuesday comedy line up. I warmed up to Brooklyn 99 after the first few episodes.

    I also always watch the Amazing Race, if only to just debate with my significant other who would do what challenges, because that is the whole point right? And this has gotten me into The Good Wife.

    1. OshKoshMalosh +3

      Brooklyn 99 is pretty good! It is produced/written by the same people who do Parks & Rec, too! I watch entirely too much TV as well, and I’m trying to cut back a bit.

      1. slowseptember

        It’s been on for four or five episodes! There’s only been like two good ones though, so you could catch up.

  16. archivesjulia +7

    PARENTHOOD. It is the best. [And I am single, child-less, and pet-less.] I laugh and cry every. single. episode.

    2. jennjennboben +4

      I adore Parenthood. Last season I had to save them up on my DVR after that one diagnosis though, because I knew it would be extra weepy and I couldn’t handle it at the time. Recently I had a 2-day sobfest watching them all and it was very cathartic.

      It kind of makes me want to have a bunch more kids just so we can have a huge, messy, over-involved family. haha

  17. mclloyddavies +7

    My favorite funny show on right now is Childrens Hospital although I understand it isn’t for everyone–but LAKE BELLLLLLLLLLLL

    1. MalloryOrtberg +7

      WHY IS IT SO HARD TO UNDERSTAND THAT I FAKED MY DEATH BECAUSE I HAVE *TOO MANY EMAILS*

    2. Cait +1

      CHILDRENS HOSPITAL. Every week, after we watch the new episode, my husband and I turn to each other and one of us asks, “so this is the best show on TV, right?”

      SO GOOD.

      1. mclloyddavies +2

        I’ve now watched the recent one with all the Midsummer references and the poison lipstick four times on demand. Did you see “In A World?” So many CH folks!

  18. BPym28

    I already posted about Super Fun Night on last week’s open thread, but I feel in my bones it is about to be canceled and that makes me sad! Mostly because Rebel Wilson’s comic timing is a tonic to my nerves, even if her American accent leaves much to be desired.
    In a very different vein, I loved Gillian Anderson in The Fall. She was so icy and sexy! I am desperate for the new season to begin as the last one ended in such a cliffhanger.

    1. anachronistique +3

      I have to say, they did a really terrible job of selling Super Fun Night. I love Rebel Wilson but it looked like 30 minutes of “laugh at the poor sad fatty,” which I don’t need in my life. Is it better than advertised?

      1. BPym28

        I do think it is better than advertised! (Better, but not actually great.) To me, Rebel comes across as not sad, but beautiful and kind of goofily powerful, if that makes sense? And the dynamic she has with her roommates is very sweet, and there is a nerd love subplot, and the British guy is cute, so….it all went down like a glass of smooth white wine.

  19. Firoola +6

    Love/Hate is this amazing Irish show that I’m sure no one here has heard of but you should cos it’s great and is basically The Wire except set on the northside of Dublin, and you guys, you don’t even know how excited the whole of Ireland is that we actually produced something entertaining but not in an ironic way.

    Also, it has this a boy named killian scott in it and oh god go google him right now seriously.

    1. bgprincipessa +1

      You actually just convinced me into wanting to watch this. It’s good?? But how hard of a time will I have understanding the accents (I’m American)? I mean, Irish I’m usually pretty good with. It’s Scottish that’s the issue. But is it like slang-y?

      1. Firoola +1

        Ah yay! It is a little slang-y, yes. Actually there was talk it would get commissioned for British TV and they were going to put subtitles on it soooo read from that what you will haha.
        I will say that the first two seasons are a little weak but the third and (so far) the fourth are awesome, and there’s only 6 episodes per season, so. There are loads of clips on youtube though, so maybe take a look and see can you understand it?? Or just watch with the sound off and enjoy the majesty that is killian scott and robert sheehan with skinhead haircuts and tattoos.

  20. deleted1892326 +7

    I’m pretty sure the general conclusion is that the major networks no longer know how to gauge what audiences like. Nielsen ratings mean pretty much nothing when regarding the coveted 18-34 market. If they didn’t keep taking away my favorite shows I would find their whole running around like chickens with their heads cut off routine pretty funny.

    Watching (or waiting to watch) Parks and Rec, Community, Elementary, Game of Thrones, Dr. Who, Orange is the New Black.

    Tried to watch Breaking Bad recently – is this the place to unashamedly say that I did not like that show?

    1. thebellewitch +5

      I made it like two episodes into Breaking Bad and was just like, Nope. I’m not even sure why – I’ve loved plenty of shows with unsympathetic leads, but Walter White was just not doing it for me.

      So you can come hang out with me. And while you’re here, should I be watching Elementary? I watched the pilot and thought it was so-so, a bit too standard police procedural. Does it get better?

      1. deleted1892326 +5

        Elementary definitely gets better. Incredibly strong character development, and the writers have stated that they’re committed to not having Holmes and Watson have sex, which I find refreshing. I like Elementary much more than Castle – I found Castle too formulaic, and the characters remained pretty flat for me. Also, I should note that as an Asian-American lady, I definitely have a soft spot for Elementary since Joan is a real person instead of a stereotype.

        I think part of my problem with Breaking Bad is that it was just too much – it didn’t seem plausible in the slightest. And yes, people can counter and say that Community isn’t realistic, but Community isn’t trying to be that at all, whereas I think Breaking Bad was.

        1. thebellewitch +1

          Aw, you’ve convinced me to give it another shot. I’m currently rewatching old episodes of The Office, seasons 2 & 3, so it’s not like there’s more pressing TV I’m missing.

      2. Rianne +1

        commenting because I am interested in your answer about Elementary.
        Your thoughts are my thoughts exactly about the pilot.

      3. MilesofMountain +3

        The police-y bits of Elementary have never been that strong and they stay fairly standard. The strength is definitely the compelling characters and how committed the writers seem to be to allowing them to change as people. It’s not like most standard police procedurals where you could watch an episode from Season 2 right after Season 4 and have them fit well together. Season 2 Joan and Sherlock are noticeably different people than Season 1 versions, which feels more realistic to me.

      4. MrsTeacherFace +1

        I made it something like 6 episodes in to Breaking Bad, but I can only watch a show so long when I want to punch the protagonist in the face all day long. It gets exhausting after awhile.

        For very similar reasons, I could never watch more than 4 eps of Mad Men.

  21. anachronistique +4

    Between the Parks & Rec hiatus (nooooooooooo) and Sleepy Hollow being off for sportsball (noooooo) I don’t know what to do with myself. I liked the first two episodes of Brooklyn Nine-Nine but haven’t been remembering to watch as it airs. I bailed on Agents of SHIELD after two episodes.

    However, second seasons of My Mad Fat Diary and Orphan Black are on their way, so life is still worth living.

    1. EPWordsnatcher +3

      Sleepy Hollow is off for sportsball? FOR HOW LONG? What will tumblr talk about in the mean time?

      1. daisicles +4

        It’s off for three weeks. Or, since it’s now Tuesday, for two more weeks. It’ll be back in November, which seems a bit crap to me because what current show is better suited to watching right before Halloween?

      2. anachronistique +4

        At this rate, the fandom is going to eat itself whole by the time the World Series is over.

      3. msjinxie +1

        I hope all y’all are aware that (Season 1, at least, of ) SH is only going to be 13 episodes. 🙁

        1. anachronistique +1

          I’m okay with that, actually. 22 episode seasons can sometimes leave a show running on fumes.

      4. Janie_S +8

        Between the new Doctor Who trailer and the continued existence of Tom Hiddleston, I’m sure that tumblr will manage to struggle its way through this dark time.

  22. Step On It, Velma! +3

    How I Met Your Mother because I’m an idiot and I have to see how it ends! I hesitate to recommend any other shows now because I clearly have terrible taste.

    (but you guys should watch Trophy Wife)

      1. Bittersweet +3

        I always THINK I’m over HIMYM, but then I watch a show, and laugh at Barney and all the double-entendres, and get all sentimental at the end of the episode, and life is good. So I’m in ’til the end. Sigh.

        1. QuadsForDays +1

          I AM FULL OF RAGE BECAUSE THIS SEASON SEEMS TO ALL BE ABOUT THE FUCKING WEDDING.

          HIMYM jumped the shark last year in a big way, but yeah, I’m in til the end.

          1. shahea +2

            Yup, I’m committed, but I’m committed in the “I only watch this on Netflix” way. I actually roll my eyes at almost everything, but NPH can seriously do no wrong with me. (Did anyone else see the photo of him and his husband and the twins’ Alice in Wonderland Halloween family costume?!??)

          3. shahea +2

            All of the cute. ALL OF IT. There is none left for anyone else, they have it all tucked away in theit adorable home that I imagine is a cross between a magician’s castle and a bouncy house.

    2. MrsTeacherFace +2

      I am annoyed that I can only watch HIMYM’s most recent season on the CBS website, which I can’t watch on Hulu or my tablet, but I am enjoying it so far. At the end of season 8 I thought, “That is now how I pictured Ted’s wife at all!” but now that she has had lines and is developing a personality, I like her a lot more. In it to the end.

      1. Step On It, Velma! +1

        I watch it on the CBS app on my iPad. It kind of embarrasses me to own the CBS app, but there you go. Also good for the Amazing Race.

        and yeah, I expected Ted’s wife to be more conventionally attractive, but I really like her.

  24. EnchiladaTaco +9

    I am in the middle of a Supernatural marathon. It started as a joke and now it’s the middle of season 5 AND I CANNOT STOP PLEASE SEND HELP I LOVE YOU JENSEN ACKLES YOU MAKE THE SADDEST FACES AND YOU NEED A HUG I CAN GIVE YOU A HUG.

    Oh, and I am currently refusing to process the Parks and Rec hiatus. Nope. Didn’t happen. Nope nope nope.

    1. EPWordsnatcher +8

      Best advice I’ve gotten re: shotgunning Supernatural–pretend that the show ENDS after Season 5. That’s when a major arc wraps up and when the show was originally supposed to end. It is a good stopping point if you want to get off the train.

      If you don’t want to get off the train, I understand and am right there with you.

      1. EnchiladaTaco +6

        I should get off the train.

        I won’t get off the train. I can already tell. I am going to go down in flames along with this stupid, impossible, show that has no right to periodically be this good. There is nothing but pain in my future, and I am resigned to my fate.

        1. JocastaCarr +6

          AHHHH fellow Supernatural people!!!! I, too, started watching it on a casual impulse and now I’ve watched every. single. episode. and a whole bunch of the videos from the conventions. Sometimes I’m like, I am a grown-ass woman, how did this happen? but then I get sucked right back in – Dean Winchester’s manpain! Castiel’s puppy dog sadface and hilarious literalism! Sassy Lucifer! It definitely has its flaws – the treatment of female characters and lack of racial/ethnic diversity being the biggest ones for me – but the show just does such a consistently good job of blending the monsters and mythology with humor and tragedy, even if after 8 seasons the themes have gotten a bit repetitive.

          All of which is to say, I am right there on that train with you. I think season 5 was the best (and season 7 sucked), but I also think it’s worth sticking with; there are some great episodes and characters yet to come. And Jensen Ackles’ face, what, I can’t even.

          2. msjinxie +2

            AH, Misha I love him so much. I love them all – obviously I’ve never met any of them in real life BUT I’ve only ever heard good stories about all the leads.

          3. JocastaCarr +2

            I adore him – I love how he interacts so enthusiastically and whole-heartedly with the fandom, and he’s made use of his celebrity to do a lot of good work, which I admire. And I was so so happy to read about him calling out the sexism, because he’s absolutely right. If only he had some real influence in these matters. Though I’m keeping my fingers crossed that Charlie becomes a bigger part of the show/one of the core group. And doesn’t subsequently die…

          4. EnchiladaTaco +5

            DEAN WINCHESTER’S MANPAIN.

            Basically, I am lost every time he gets that quivery chin and bravely held back watery eyes thing going. I will follow that character wherever it goes.

            Also, last night I watched the episode where Dean gets sent into the future and runs into Hippie Ex Angel Castiel who tells him “I thought you had gotten over trying to label me, man” and I choked from laughter.

            It occurred to me a few days ago that Jensen Ackles is basically my new Ben Browder from Farscape. So much manpain. Such pretty eyes.

          5. JocastaCarr +3

            Nobody does manpain like Dean Winchester does manpain. It’s truly a thing of beauty – big green teary eyes juxtaposed with gruff manly voice….sigh.

            And future Castiel is amazing – “Let’s go get washed up for the orgy, everyone!” Oh lordy…

          6. Alli525 +6

            I saw a Buzzfeed article that called Dean “Top Model” and Sam “Sad Moose” and I JUST CANNOT.

      2. msjinxie +4

        COSIGN. I’m still watching, because I’ve watched the stupid, stupid show from Day 1 and I feel like I need to see it through to the end, but damned if it’s not terrible now even by it’s own very low standards. But even when it’s bad we still have hot dudes, a bitchin’ car, class rock, and Dean Winchester’s One Perfect Manly Tear:

        1. shahea +2

          I’m in season 2 of Supernatural, and I think maybe it makes me a terrible feminist because I totally have not yet had the rageflail about misogyny? But I love the show even though I think it’s ridiculous and silly but MAN, I love Dean.

          3. JocastaCarr +2

            [This comment is a little spoiler-ish, though it doesn’t give away any specific plot details – just FYI in case you want to avoid knowing anything about future episodes!]

            Honestly, I don’t know that Supernatural is that much more misogynist than many other TV shows on the air. It’s just that the complete lack of central female characters + the high death rate for any woman who’s on for more than an episode or two makes it more blatant in their case. Not to mention how freely they throw around “bitch” and “whore.” And in my opinion most of the women fit into one of three categories – mom/mother figure, sexual/romantic interest for one of the boys, or adversary.

            On the other hand, the character development gets better as the show progresses (I share your love for Dean, and he becomes even more complex and lovable), and they start to have a lot more fun with the premise and take more risks. And I don’t think that you have to find the show to be super-misogynistic to keep your Feminist Card 🙂 It’s hard to find any form of entertainment these days that isn’t at least somewhat problematic in that regard….

    2. MrsTeacherFace +7

      I love Supernatural so much! I Netflixed the hell out of it this summer and I’ve just started season 8. Don’t give up after season 5, although those are the best seasons. I started to lose interest about halfway though season 6, but then it got better again.

      Jensen Ackles is the best. I want to hug him all day long and stare into his eyes.

      I know part of the show’s draw is supposed to be “look, two hot guys!” but I just cannot get on board with Sam. From interviews with the cast I think Jared P. as goofy real-life Jared is a lot more attractive than Jared P. as fictional Sam.

      1. EnchiladaTaco +5

        I totally agree, Jared P is darling, but Sam just sort of doesn’t do it for me. I find myself going “blah blah blah your pain is so special” when Sam is around, as opposed to my endless appetite for the Suffering and Apotheosis of Dean Winchester.

        Jared on the other hand seems to be a really delightful person and I definitely enjoy watching his con appearances and stuff.

        1. JocastaCarr +3

          Completely agree. “Endless appetite for the Suffering and Apotheosis of Dean Winchester” perfectly and eloquently describes how I feel about this show. While Sam…idk. I think it’s partly how the character is written and partly that Jared Padalecki, in my opinion, doesn’t have as strong of a presence as Jensen Ackles (and also doesn’t get as many opportunities to be super-dramatic).

          I think JP really shines when he gets to do comedic stuff (the scene in the season 2 episode with the Trickster where Sam’s all, “Brave little soldier!” comes to mind), but generally Sam’s such a serious character (though there’s some good stuff at the beginning of season 6!). He is an adorable and hilarious ray of sunshine at cons, though!

    3. msjinxie +4

      And aside from all the other reasons to keep loving SPN even though it’s totally ridiculous: JIM BEAVER. I love that dude and I want him to be in everything.

      1. JocastaCarr +3

        JIM BEAVER. I don’t care how many times they have to come up with absurd, contrived ways to bring him back – Bobby Singer 4ever.

  25. Rianne +2

    I used to be devoted to the shows I was watching. And then I fell off the wagon in a bad way. Got behind on all the things.

    Have not finished the previous seasons of Mad Men or Dexter (don’t tell me it’s bad, I don’t want to know). There is a complete season of Lost Girl I haven’t even started and I love that show like breathing.

    Watching Agents of Shield and am already behind on that. No other new shows this season.
    Orphan Black sounds right up my alley, but again haven’t even started.

    I was watching Amazing Race Canada over the summer but stopped once Hal & Joanne got kicked off, because there was no longer any reason to watch.

    I aspire to watch more reality television. Really I do. What are the best things? Master Chef Junior sounds adorable and the various Top Model’s fascinate me.

    1. kateeek +1

      With my husband we decided to wait until the end of the season for Mad Men so that we could binge on all the episodes, but now it’s been, what, months? since it ended and we haven’t gone back to watch it at all.

  26. Bubbles +7

    Elementary > Sherlock to the nth degree. I don’t even know if I will watch the 3rd season of Sherlock(show I watched first) now that I have Elementary. It is vastly superior, but I will only argue for this stance with someone who has seen all available episodes of both, because I don’t actually like arguing, and I think the evidence speaks for itself.

    Why does NBC continue to be run by people determined to destroy good tv shows?

    Yes, American Horror Story is good, but also I liked both of the first two seasons. Anne Helen Peterson wrote something about AHS and it is interesting and you should read it. http://blog.lareviewofbooks.org/deartv/exquisite-…

    1. Janie_S +1

      Is Elementary available to stream on Hulu or something? I would like to catch up with it …

    3. meetapossum +3

      OOh. This AHP article is excellent.

      “We want to see a corpse, not because we’re weird, but because a body should mean life — and here it doesn’t. It confuses meaning, sure, but that’s gross and engrossing.”

      This goes back to the whole idea of the “uncanny” in general. It’s something which should be familiar, but isn’t. The abject and the uncanny, I think, are at the root of true horror.

    4. 900ccs +4

      I’ve seen all the episodes of Sherlock (and liked them a lot) and no episodes of Elementary, but I am So. Sick. of Stephen Moffat’s shit at this point that I am 100% ready to jump ship (except I don’t really have time right now to get into another TV show)

    5. mkpatter +2

      Sherlock is so boring.They don’t change anything from the books, and if they do, it’s always worse. I’d rather read the books, much as I love Benny Cumbs. (I am also bitter about this, b/c I have been a Cumbatch fan since Atonement, mostly because of the name, BUT STILL. ME AND MY FRIEND TIER KNEW HE’D BE A STAR LONG BEFORE ALL OF YOU.)

        1. mkpatter +11

          Sorry not sorry, what they did to Irene Adler should be an actual crime that you can go to jail for.

    6. shahea +1

      I haven’t seen Elementary yet, since NO ONE seems to have it streaming unless I pay per episode (and… no) but I honestly do love Sherlock. I love Martin Freeman’s Watson, I love Cumberbach’s Sherlock. I’ve been dying to see Elementary though, because as much as I could care less about the actress playing Joan (I have seen nothing of her that makes me think she can act) I have loved Jonny Lee Miller since Hackers.

    7. Bubbles +1

      I caught up on Elementary by finding a place that streams it (cough, cough). I already pay for Hulu and Netflix, so…whatevs, I TRIED. But also, I watch this new season on CBS’s website so they can get the ad revenue.

  27. evieskye +1

    Obsessed with Person of Interest (because Michael Emerson is adorable and I have an undying love for Amy Acker). It’s problematic at times but surprising and fun. It fills the hole in my heart that Leverage left (which if you haven’t watched that series GET ON IT NOW. Because it is very nearly flawless and full of nerdy-goodness).

    1. daisicles +2

      Person of Interest! It’s much better than I ever expected it to be when I started watching it this summer (I love me some CBS crime dramas, but they’re rarely the most original shows around, it must be said) and now I’m hooked.

    2. Spriggina

      Amy Acker? Ok, I’ll check that show out. Should I start at the beginning, or can I jump right in?

      1. daisicles +4

        I wouldn’t jump right in because Amy Acker’s character right now would lose a lot without the background. You could safely start from her first episode in the middle of the first season and catch up pretty easily on her character since she was only recurring until this season, but you might as well start at the beginning.

  28. cherrispryte +4

    So I started watching American Horror Story this season, but had never seen it/knew nothing about it and, um, it’s a doozy! A fucked up amazing doozy. I have images burned into my head right now I really wish I didn’t, but also, I can’t stop watching.

  29. meetapossum +8

    American Horror Story is SO GOOD. All the amazing women on it! Witches! Minotaurs! Other weird shit I’m sure will appear soon! PATTI LUPONE IS GOING TO BE ON TOMORROW’S EPISODE.

  30. Bittersweet

    We just got rid of our cable, so we’re now relying on Netflix and Hulu for TV. We watch AoS with the kidlet and just started watching Arrow with her, which is surprisingly not terrible. She likes the Avengers and superheroes, so Arrow seemed like a good family show.

    My husband and I just started watching Orange is the New Black on Netflix (without the kidlet, of course). I was ambivalent to negative about the first episode, primarily because the lead character is so annoying. Is it worth continuing, fellow Toasties?

    1. icebergmama +7

      It’s VERY worth continuing. I felt the same way. Just relax and trust that it’s okay not to like Piper.

    2. rosalineee +2

      Oh yes. Very much worth continuing. The pilot is pilot-y but I feel the show really comes into its own by the next few episodes.

    3. MrsTeacherFace +1

      Agreed – it gets much better after the pilot. The most interesting characters are the ones she meets in jail, and the pilot mostly focused on Piper, who is not and should really not be the star of the show.

  31. ach_so +1

    Oh, I am so sad about Parks & Rec. I loooove that show. I am watching The Mindy Project (which I really enjoy) & Scandal (duh).

  32. halleloujah +3

    KEY&PEELE. It’s my all time favorite (besides Coven, obviously) right now, and I am monumentally confused why more people aren’t into it. Or maybe they are, just quietly? K&P!

    1. tubatoothpaste +1

      Key & Peele is great! I think the way it was advertised at first made it look like a crappy knock-off of Chapelle’s Show, which put me off, but once I actually watched it, I loved it!

    2. Gingineer

      I’m wondering if it’s a younger crowd? I’m an OLD in college again and my 20-21 year old friends all watch it. It is awesome though.

  34. QuadsForDays +1

    How is it that no one has mentioned The Newsroom (which is another HBO joint, damnit). I fucking love that show so very much it’s a little ridiculous. I mean, I don’t even love Jeff Daniels, like not at all, despite growing up 10 miles from his hometown & seeing him out and about now and then, and kind of being required to love him because he’s a Michigander who hasn’t let Hollywood ruin him! (whatever.) But Will McAvoy (Daniels’ character) can do all kinds of nastiness to me (with me, for me) and I would not only accept it but encourage it to continue until we both pass out from exhaustion.

    Other shows I’m watching: Mindy Project (I hate the pastor dude, but I’m not spoiling for anyone who isn’t caught up), HIMYM (have to finish it), Orange is the New Black (I’m on episode 3? maybe?), and Big Bang Theory (because my husband likes it).

  35. awnutts +2

    After the television ripped Bomb Girls out of my loving embrace earlier this year, I began clinging desperately to Parks and Rec. If it leaves, I might end up wandering the streets aimlessly at 3 am with tears running down my face. Or possibly just preserving everything in my living room until it’s covered in dust, like Miss Havisham’s wedding. Or both.

  36. eegghh +4

    I was home sick a lot this month so I’ve checked everything out. No TV, but Hulu, Netflix, Amazon Instant and HBO Go, plus fridays at home means I watch insane lumps of tv. Here are all my shows. After I finish typing this I’m going to have to see the problem I haven’t admitted to yet. Some of these are series that I finished, but would watch again, so they count as current watching.

    My British pile:
    Orphan Black (Goddamn)
    Broadchurch (Ditto, plus tears)
    Call the Midwife (All Creatures Great and Small, but the animals are played by poor mothers. There’s a poverty tourism aspect that is appalling, and piles of schmaltz, but still I watch- could be hard for new parents- not all birthing goes well. Broadchurch is impossible for parents.)
    Downton Abbey (duh)
    The Fall- (perhaps I should watch less shows about late twenties brunettes being murdered as I get pretty twitchy at night sometimes).

    HBO:
    Game of Thrones
    Girls
    VEEP
    Parades End
    The Ladies’ Number One Detective Agency

    Netflix:
    Orange is the New Black
    Prime Suspect
    Poirot

    Hulu:
    Scandal!
    Grey’s Anatomy
    Sleepy Hollow
    Brooklyn Nine Nine
    Parks and Rec (I’ll wait for you my love!)
    Parenthood
    Agents of Shield (meh. Eh?)
    Nashville (Like it, keep forgetting to keep up, might be falling off my radar).

    Summary- love any kind of british person solving a horrific murder and any drama with ladiez. Oh except Luther and Wire in the Blood- those two are too sadistic even for me. I love Idris Elba though, so I kind of peek occasionally, and wish I hadn’t.

    1. combledore +3

      I was just about to ask if anyone else was watching Call the Midwife. Somehow it both makes me want to have a baby, and want to NEVER have a baby.

    2. mkpatter +6

      Orphan Black is actually more Canadian than British, seriously. Tatiana Maslany is from Regina, Sask, Hot Paul’s from Vancouver, Felix is from Brampton, it’s filmed in Toronto. WE CLAIM IT WITH GLEE.

  37. AdeleQuested +4

    Waiting for the return of:
    Mad Men, Girls, Veep, Orphan Black, Orange is the New Black, Game of Thrones

    Currently watching:

    Trophy Wife (Sarah Haskins of Target Woman is involved in the production!)

    Masters of Sex (because I liked Lizzie Caplan in Party Down. Also, I relate to TV!Masters’ attempt to deal with his own sexual hang-ups by taking a very clinical approach, although I extremly disapprove of the creepy way he tries to rope TV!Johnson into it).

    Brooklyn Nine Nine (surprisingly charming after all. I like the goofiness of it.)

    When I’m very bored:

    Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D (always curious about a Whedon project, although this one so far has been fairly mediocre, and doesn’t have that much Whedon involvement to begin with. Still, I usually have some patience for him.)

    Sleepy Hollow (I think Sleepy Hollow is to Supernatural as Elementary is to Sherlock.)

    Might get back into Revenge too, since I’ve seen so many reviewers claiming that it’s back on track. I’ve enjoyed most of the episodes I’ve seen to some degree, but the whole Initiative angle just didn’t work for me.

  38. betsymurgatroyd +1

    Am I the only one watching The Tomorrow People? Everyone in it is too pretty and the acting and writing could be better, but Mark Pellegrino is the bad guy and he is always worth my time. I’m also watching a lot of other crap I should be ashamed of but I’m not. I do feel vindicated by the others on here for enthusiastically watching Sleepy Hollow.
    The one show that you should watch is American Horror Story. All my friends are watching it. Even the ones who dislike horror and gore are watching this season.

  39. thatneilguy +7

    Rob Lowe staring himself down in a mirror and commanding himself to “Stop. Pooping.” made me laugh harder than nearly anything else ever.

    But I have not watched any episodes this year. Maybe I am the reason Parks and Rec is going on hiatus. Sorry about that.

  40. Amphora

    Thanks for the recommendation! I had no idea Rebel Wilson had a show. The Kendall character reminds me of Portia de Rossi's character on Better Off Ted. Sorta kooky-evil.

  41. tibia_

    This would only be a consolation if he was on The Mindy Project as Max, and they magically ported all Happy Endings writers over to TMP, because that show is not good enough to justify him.

    I miss Happy Endings so much.

  42. Godot_17 +2

    I watch way too much television, to the point I had to put together an excel sheet so I didn’t miss anything, in no particular order:

    Greys Anatomy
    Supernatural
    Scandal
    It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
    The League
    Mom
    Trophy Wife
    NCIS
    How I met your mother
    Brooklyn Nine Nine
    New Girl
    The Mindy Project
    True Blood
    Game of Thrones
    The Newsroom
    Parks and Recreation
    Orange is the new black
    Orphan Black
    Doctor Who
    The Blacklist (James Spader can do no wrong in my eyes)
    American Horror Story
    Revenge
    Archer
    The Big Bang Theory
    Homeland
    The Waling Dead
    Modern Family
    Veep

    If you made it this far, I think two things are clear: that I’m easily amused and get attached way too easily meaning I have to see things through. I also don’t watch all of these as they air but catch up on some of them over the summer etc.

    I love talking about tv though, any chance we could get a regular weekly thread just to discuss the latest episodes of stuff and what we’re into/not into?