Another burning....question

[xlivvielockex]

Okay list, I've got a little bit of a strange question for you. I know a lot of people (myself included) will watch a show because their favorite actor/actress is in it. That's how I got hooked on Greek because of Charisma's guest starring role.

My question is...does anyone else watch a show simply for the producer/writer/director/creator instead of the actors?



I know I do. I'm fiercely loyal to the producers/writers/creators that I like.

I started watching Veronica Mars, Big Shots, and Party Down because Rob Thomas did probably one of the best shows ever on television, Cupid. (Too bad the remake was SO bad)

I started watching Nip/Tuck, Pretty Handsome, and Glee because Ryan Murphy did one of my fave shows, Popular.

I got really into Buffy and Angel, Jake 2.0. and Miracles because of David Greenwalt who did Profit, the only show I have EVER campaigned for to keep on the air. (And this is probably why I still can't get into Firefly and Dollhouse (a sin, I know) because no Greenwalt)

I started watching True Blood simply because I loved Alan Ball's Six Feet Under and Cybill.

I got hooked on Grosse Pointe, Miss Match, and Sex and the City because I loved Melrose Place that Darren Star created.

Love Javier Grillo-Marxuach's The Middleman because while I was loving Greenwalt, I got addicted to Jake 2.0.

And the thing is, I'm more likely to stay with a show that I have problems with if the producer/writer/creator is involved with it. If an actor I like is in a show, like for instance, Bones or Smallville, but I don't like the premise and/or other actors, I can't watch it. But if a creator does a show, even if I can't stand the lead actors (True Blood) I will still watch it and get into it. (Sorry Anna Paquin!)

And every TV season, I check listings to see if my favorite creators have new shows coming out. And more often than not, I get hooked on those shows too.

So I'm just wondering, fandom friends, am the odd man out because I'd rather watch a show because a creator I like is making it than an actor I like being in it?

Comments

[nikkiwawa79.livejournal.com]

Hmm. Good question. I think there are actually more people than we think that tune in to a show because we like the actor/creator/producer.

I saw BtVS the movie because Luke Perry and Kristy Swanson. When I found it is was going to be a show and SMG was going to be Buffy, I was already on board b/c I LOVED her on All My Children. It made it better when I knew CC was in it, as well. I LOVED her in Malibu Shores LMFAO I'm such a dork.

The only reason why I gave Bones a go was David Boreanaz. Sadly, during mid-S3 Boreanaz couldn't even make me continue to watch. But, that's for another topic altogether ;) I still love David and I can't wait to see what he does AFTER Bones is canceled.

Fringe, I was on board when I knew Joshua Jackson was one of the leads. I love my Pacey Witter! ♥

Jeff and I went and bought True Blood season 1 because so many people said it was good, but that it was created by Alan Ball and how much I loved Six Feet Under made it a go. Now, I'm so fucking addicted to that fucking show. I love it so much.

I'm pretty sure I gave every show I watch a go because so and so is in it or it is produced or created by so and so. There's nothing wrong with that. When you do start watching that way, you find out that you genuinely like the show for more than your favorite actor most of the time, anyway. Although, I'll be tuning into The Vampire Diaries and Flash Forward this month. It has nothing to do with who's in it and what not. It does help Flash Forward that I like John Cho, but that's not the reason I'm tuning it. I'm intrigued by the premise.

[xlivvielockex.livejournal.com]

I do that too. There are a lot of shows that I tune into purely because I like the premise. Vampire Diaries being one of those. I have to check the rest of my schedule. I started watching Weeds, Deadwood, Rome because of recs from friends and I love those shows.

I guess it all depends really. :)

[beer-good-foamy.livejournal.com]

I should. The weird thing is, I do it all the time with movies but less so with TV. Sure, I've watched everything Whedon has done, and I watched Drive (what little of it we got) much more for Minear's sake than for Fillion's.

But... for instance, I love West Wing but have never even tried Sports Night or Studio 60. My love for The Shield won't get me to watch Women's Murder Club or Lie To Me. And I'm a slobbering Simpsons fanboy who never once found anything interesting in Futurama.

It's weird. It behooves pondering.

Incidentally, I'm just wrapping up a re-watch of The Middleman on my brand-spanking new DVDs. Works even better the second time around, but would it have killed them to include the script for the last unfilmed episode? Or a Spaced-style subtitle track listing the pop culture references as they come up?

[xlivvielockex.livejournal.com]

Don't get me started on The Middleman because it will just make me so upset. It should have never been on ABC FAMILY to begin with. It was a show that should have been picked up by FX or Comedy Central either. Better than that Krog Mandoon or whatever it was called.

And you don't like Futurama? I had no idea! I would have pegged you for sure as liking it because as you said, Simpsons Fanboy.

With movies, I am ALL about the directors. I have directors that I love, that I have all of their movies, even the bad ones. Some directors can just create such lush and inviting cinescapes that I have to get the movie. Even if the plot sucks, I can pick up on the sublties (Like Eyes Wide Shut comes instantly to mind)

[afrocurl.livejournal.com]

I watch some shows based on the showrunners, but I don't think to the same extent you do.

My interest in someone's work is a good step into the show, but I have to love the rest of it to stick around.

[xlivvielockex.livejournal.com]

Well, I have to wonder if a showrunner does a show you like, you are more likely to like their other shows because of their style. Like when I started watching Veronica Mars, I could see a lot of similarities between it and Cupid. Similar jokes and whatnot. It's kind of a chicken-egg sort of question.

[rebcake.livejournal.com]

Ryan Murphy did Popular!?! Well, that explains why I'm so gaga over Glee. See, I thought I was tuning in for Jane Lynch!

I guess the only reason I don't do more creator-following on TV is that it takes research. A face is easy to remember, but a name can get iffy, for me. Also, until very recently, I tried to keep my TV watching down to one show a week. Heh. Those days are so very gone now.

Glee, tonight! Glee!

[xlivvielockex.livejournal.com]

One show a week?! I can't even do one show a day! Not even one show an hour! LOL I totally commend you for that. I'm addicted to the idiotbox.

And YAY! GLEE!

[chrissy-ny.livejournal.com]

I definitely do both!

I plan on watching Glee purely because of Ryan Murphy.

And I watched Big Shots (an awful show) for both Michael Vartan with bonus Charisma!

[xlivvielockex.livejournal.com]

LMAO I liked Big Shots! I think if it had more time, it could have been good. But really, who did they think the audience was who would turn into Desperate Househusbands? LOL

[damnskippytoo.livejournal.com]

I do both, but I also do the reverse. I WILL NOT WATCH ANOTHER WHEDON SHOW! And I'm sure there are actors I can't stand who will keep me from watching a show unless it's written by someone I adore. Like, Warehouse 13. I'm not a fan (or wasn't) of the guy who plays the male lead, but I saw Jane Espenson was co-creator and wanted to see what she could do. I'm beginning to be okay with the co-star now, but it's taken about half the season to do it. :)

[xlivvielockex.livejournal.com]

The actor-hate is well known and respected in this household. You know I can't bring myself to watch Bones because of my issues with ED. I also can't watch anything with Elizabeth Shue, for completely different reasons. So I feel you entirely there.

I haven't watched Warehouse 13. I have the episodes ready to go, I just haven't had the time. My brother loves it too, which really isn't a point in it's favor. :)

[damnskippytoo.livejournal.com]

WH13 isn't anything close to masterpiece territory. But it's got humor and a nice core cast. I love Saul Rubinek so that's nice. As long as they stay away from pushing the leads into a romance, it should keep my interest for awhile.

[obiwahn.livejournal.com]

I also started watching True Blood because of Alan Ball. I was pretty disappointed at first, but I've grown to like it just because it is so over-the-top cheesy.

This goes without saying, but I'd watch anything Joss Whedon writes/directs, or even produces (though would be less excited about that last one.)

[xlivvielockex.livejournal.com]

OMFG I LUV TRUBLUD! LOL

Seriously, it's so campy and delicious and I love the violence and gore. I was probably a Roman in an previous life too. But you just can't take it seriously. It doesn't lend itself to being serious.

I'm glad you are growing to like it though. It's good popcorn Sunday night fun.

[phantom-queen.livejournal.com]

I will usually follow an actor to a series, I started watching Fringe for Josh Jackson and Leverage for Tim Hutton, I will watch just about anything for Charisma Carpenter, Michele Rodriguez or Johnny Depp but that's about it.

I don't follow TV shows for the producers but I will go see movies based on the director.

I will never follow a Whedon or ME show, if one of the ME crew end up on a show I'm watching, that's fine but I'll never watch a show just b/c it's Minear or Fury or SDK.

[xlivvielockex.livejournal.com]

Totally agreed that I won't watch something just cause it's ME. I'm not as enamoured of them as other people.

But I'm with you on the actors too. I will watch Charisma Carpenter eat a sandwich if it was on television. And Tim Hutton...totally underrated and fantastic actor. He is why I started watching Leverage, not Christian Kane actually.

[xlivvielockex.livejournal.com]

I was saying to afrocurl above, I wonder if "we" like shows by the same showrunners because showrunners tend to do the same thing. Same style, writing, etc. So if you like one, you'll like the rest. But I'm with you there, all new shows get 3 episodes by me, regardless of actor/producer/etc.

[leobrat.livejournal.com]

That makes sense. And I'm usually likely to *try* a show with actors I like, if not necessarily stick with them. I'm just probably less likely to notice the showrunner off a trailer or something. (I can read, I swear.)

[xlivvielockex.livejournal.com]

Well, unfortunately, if it isn't a name then most people have no idea who the showrunners are outside of the credits. And if you are creditless, then it makes it even harder. But I'm with you. I will try anything if the actors I like are in. And even more so if the showrunner is someone I love.

[xlivvielockex.livejournal.com]

I don't think it's weird at all. I mean, there are authors that I have read everything they have written, bands I have their every album. I think when you find something you like, you gotta stick to it. With so much out there, a lot of it is crap. Not to say quit trying stuff but when you find that rare thing you connect with, you gotta grab it.

[sunny-serenity.livejournal.com]

Eh, it's about a 50/50 for me. If it's the producer/writer/creator/show-runner or actor. But mostly I lean toward the behind the scenes ppl than the actor. Most times if it looks like the actor/tress did it cos they needed a job, I'll pass. I'd rather see them in something worthwhile than throwing the talent in front of money. Perfect example: Bionic Woman. I attempted to watch it for Katee Sackhoff. ATTEMPTED being the operative word. I watched Carnivale & BSG b/c of RDM cos I followed him thru his Trek days and they're some of my fave shows.

[xlivvielockex.livejournal.com]

I hear you about the whole actor needs the work thing. Sadly, I've seen way too many movies that were so horrible to sit through simply because of the fact that an actor I liked was in. It's just not worth it. With so many tv choices, a show still has to be good to keep me tuned in.