Discussion: An Antidote To The Anti-Hero: It’s Draining To Commit To Watching Jerks

TPM Article Topics
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3 things:

  1. No one seems to know what the term “anti-hero” means, any more.

  2. TPM TV show reviews. Really???

  3. This was paid for and extremely sneaky and extravagantly pumped by TPM editors? Or am I paranoid?

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It’s worse for Boardwalk Empire. The author keeps creating very likeable characters, and then killing them off.

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Because they do what we wish to do but not get caught. The fun and sublimating charm of fantasy.

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Note: Channel 4 is a meaningless reference on the internet. Channel 4 here is the NBC local affiliate.
What’s yours?

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Note to system: Different people deserve different comments. Fuck off.

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He or she is referring to BBC’s channel 4 in the UK.

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While the headline was merely an excuse to praise “Royal Pains,” the article was a nice assessment of the show. I started watching it at the outset and it’s one of those shows DVRd where you ponder watching it down the line. “Oh, it’s only ‘Royal Pains.’” Then, when actually watching it, you find yourself smiling and thinking, “Oh, yeah. THIS is why I’ve been watching it!” The show brims with good will.

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I suppose I understand that the need for a constant flow of content necessitates the publishing of some articles that are not exactly earth shattering and timely. But an article of this length to recommend something as anodyne and formulaic as Royal Pains seems excessive even in that context. Thats setting aside that the author’s analysis of anti-heroism in narrative is extraordinarily shallow and simplistic to begin with.

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“Royal Pains” is no “House”.

Gregory House was a very complex, complicated character (especially in the earlier seasons) which is what made the show so interesting. Brilliantly played by Hugh Laurie with some great writing. Nothing about Royal Pains comes close.

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Sorry, it’s still just TV.

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LABEL YOUR ADVERTISEMENTS.

Time to cross off Talking Points Memo from the list of trustworthy sites. Disguising your advertising as an opinion piece is something I expect of Huffington Post or Fox News. Thanks for letting us down.

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This is a shonda of the first order. Shonda is a yiddish word meaning a shameful thing. This is not only crap television but no one comes to TPM for exaltations of embarrassingly prosaic dramedies. What is the matter with you, Josh?

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True, Royal Pains doesn’t have any dark, anti-hero protagonists, but then it doesn’t have any interesting protagonists or compelling stories either.

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we’ve been watching Royal Pains since its first season. it’s pretty clear, right from the start, this isn’t meant to be Dr. Kildare, or Ben Casey. Nor, is it a new House. it’s a refreshing, fun break from the tv staple medical show.

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See? It’s not even in this country! And I’m supposed to know which Channel 4 acoss the whole planet he’s refering to.

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And you notice, these sociopathic, controlling, violent main characters are always men?

It’s Republican chick porn–the traditional girl’s fantasy of the macho, controlling alpha male who becomes her protector/provider as long as she will toe the line.