Don't watch these TV shows

Many times, reviewers of TV, movies, books, etc. will give you their “best of” or “must-watch” ratings.

Often very helpful, but here below, I give you a little of the opposite. Some shows not to watch.

After experiencing some brilliant series of late, including The White Lotus, The Pitt, and to a slightly lesser extent, quality “feel-good” shows like Virgin River and Sweet Magnolias, I began searching for some new television shows to check out.

Let’s just kindly say it’s been a rough go in this regard. My “search” has hit way too many obstacles of late.

To witness, I have come across some definite “do not disturb” stinkers that I gave a shot to — they sounded promising — but in reality were sorely lacking in quality, depth, acting, humor, drama, or any combination thereof.

Here is my list of “don’t watch” shows that I have tried in recent weeks. Sample them if you so choose, but don’t say you weren’t forewarned.

Pulse(Netflix)

Another medical show, yes — but coming off my high on watching The Pitt (folks, if you haven’t watched this one, you are missing a true treat: brilliant in writing, acting, and realism of an emergency medical center), I was highly optimistic on this one. Twas not to be, however. The show simply lacks interesting characters, and the acting — and particularly the writing? Subpar would be a compliment.

Overcompensating(Amazon Prime)

Heard good reviews on this one and was looking forward to watching. Fascinating theme: a football star, homecoming king, All-American boy who is closeted gay heads off to college. All kinds of interesting possibilities here, but the show is just silly, immature, and doesn’t really explore, with any kind of depth, the issues it could have. Calling this program “sophomoric” would actually be an insult to sophomores everywhere. Can we use a new word? Maybe “fresh-moric” instead?

You(Netflix)

This one had me for a while… but just doesn’t have staying power. A weird combination of nice guy/violent murderer is the premise, and it works… for a bit. But it seems to get old quickly and starts to become uncomfortable without being entertaining. Not a good combination. Maybe I let go of this one too soon? Okay, but still, it makes my personal “do not watch” list.

Not There Yet But On the Cusp:

Football Parents(Netflix)

I am two segments in, and this show is almost on the old chopping block. Overzealous sports parents — comically so — is the theme, but this far in it just seems too over-the-top, with writing that is well below the acceptable line. I will give it one more look-see, but suffice it to say Football Parents is definitely an endangered species in my TV viewing.

That is it for now. My search for new shows will continue.

In the meantime, my fallback comfort show right now? The Gilmore Girls. Is it okay for a 68-year-old male to say that?

Hope so. I just did!