I had a very similar reaction to The Madness. I thought the first two episodes were strong, but then it got increasingly incomprehensible and MSNBC-brained as it went on, and I was so bored by the end that I’ve already forgotten how the show ended. I’m honestly surprised that I finished it.
When I started watching, I was planning to write about it for my newsletter, Dad Shows, but I ended up not doing it, because I didn’t want to go on the record indulging my urge to laugh at the show for embarrassing stuff like Muncie watching The Wire and saying “best show ever.” Must. Not. Cyberbully. Showrunners…
It’s interesting that the show is actually pretty popular - it only just left the Netflix top 10 - and stars an actor who’s about to get his second consecutive Oscar nomination, but there’s been very little conversation about it. I guess it’s just so mid that there isn’t much to say about it.
Yeah there were numerous Wire mentions and I think I paused to breathe out on all of them.
I wasn’t going to write about it either except that it perfectly encapsulates how you can get dragged to Meh when you wanted to just find something good and entertaining. Although as mentioned, I should have given up - was yelling at the screen final two episodes.
I like this column. I keep thinking about opportunity costs, but that only applies sometimes. If I expect something to be good, and it's not, I'm quick to pull the trigger and move on to something else.
Anyone else see Pantheon on Netflix? Great sci fi.
I might try Pantheon, but haven't been watching much animation of late, except for Miyazaki. And if you know when to fold 'em, you're doing it right, Joe.
A question: has anyone here watched the ABC series "High Potential" (streaming on Hulu)? My husband wants to watch it, and it looked very mid/meh to me (kind of "Good Will Hunting" vibes—the cleaner is actually a crime-solving savant!), but I'm willing to change my mind.
I very rarely (like almost never) watch network TV but I watched it and thought it was certainly good for what it was going for. Kaitlin Olson is always worth the time. She's very committed to it. It's light fare, totally fine. I would probably spend my available time elsewhere if I was limited, but squeezed it in.
Yes. It sort of inverts the procedural cop formula with a bit of humor. Like any episodic procedural, it chugs through the basic plot, but Kaitlin Olson pulls it off in a relatable way. It doesn’t really push any boundaries for broadcast TV, but it’s a notch above average. If you like Kaitlin Olson, the poorly named “The Mick” is a riot. Both seasons also on Hulu.
You have indeed, and guess what? I started it on Tuesday and watched two episodes and snuck the third episode into Wednesday lunch. I'm intrigued. It's kind of all over the place. So I'm going to watch it all.
My television stomach has multiple chambers, one high brow, one low brow. And each is hierarchical, yet only one diet is generally discussed with friends. I suppose Mid Meh resides in both.
So this is like your Bile File? I mean -- stomach chambers. I think that's a first. But I do think we all need a lot of room for Mid because there's a lot out there to, uh, digest.
You mentioned preferring darker mystery shows. I am currently watching Man on the Inside (Netflix). It seemed light like Only Murders and then it definitely goes darker.
As for mid vs meh, yes!! Am I a bad person for actually wanting the mid stuff sometimes? Not overly ambitious, not aiming for greatness but nevertheless executing on a high level. That is often my sweet spot. Your example of The Diplomat is apt. The gourmet cheeseburger. (How Much Netflix Can the World Absorb?https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/01/16/how-much-more-netflix-can-the-world-absorb-bela-bajaria).
I think Elsbeth is probably a favorite mid show. I like procedural dramas but when I watch Elsbeth the quality is simply up several notches above everything else. It’s sly, being a Columbo type show while throwing in social commentary. The Kings are simply good at this even if they’re forced to be less ambitious on CBS.
Thanks, and yes I was so swamped with stuff when that podcast came out I don't think I even made mention of it. I was going in a lot of directions, but glad you liked it. Always good to talk TV with Jason.
My husband watched The Madness while I ignored it at the same time (I read or crocheted). When I would mentally tune in, there were parts that were good and parts that were more WTF? I much preferred Black Doves and even more The Diplomat.
This post resonates a lot with me as a reader. I have a hard time knowing when to give up on a book. I just finished a 600-page novel that had come highly recommended, but I found it VERY MID. Why didn't I bail at the 50-page mark? A late friend of mine used to bail on books all the time, skipping to the end if she was curious about what happened. With TV it's even easier, since most of them have detailed Wikipedia summaries if you're dying to know how it all turns out.
Oh I think a book like that must be very hard to sort out when done (it takes me forever to read) and wonder why you didn’t stop. I feel you. Also because some books are A SLOG but end up excellent and worth the time. Hard to know!
In case anyone has been tempted to try Before on Apple TV+ with Billy Crystal, do not bother. The ending was very meh.
This is both helpful to readers and something that made me laugh. Thank you Stephanie!
I had a very similar reaction to The Madness. I thought the first two episodes were strong, but then it got increasingly incomprehensible and MSNBC-brained as it went on, and I was so bored by the end that I’ve already forgotten how the show ended. I’m honestly surprised that I finished it.
When I started watching, I was planning to write about it for my newsletter, Dad Shows, but I ended up not doing it, because I didn’t want to go on the record indulging my urge to laugh at the show for embarrassing stuff like Muncie watching The Wire and saying “best show ever.” Must. Not. Cyberbully. Showrunners…
It’s interesting that the show is actually pretty popular - it only just left the Netflix top 10 - and stars an actor who’s about to get his second consecutive Oscar nomination, but there’s been very little conversation about it. I guess it’s just so mid that there isn’t much to say about it.
Yeah there were numerous Wire mentions and I think I paused to breathe out on all of them.
I wasn’t going to write about it either except that it perfectly encapsulates how you can get dragged to Meh when you wanted to just find something good and entertaining. Although as mentioned, I should have given up - was yelling at the screen final two episodes.
I like this column. I keep thinking about opportunity costs, but that only applies sometimes. If I expect something to be good, and it's not, I'm quick to pull the trigger and move on to something else.
Anyone else see Pantheon on Netflix? Great sci fi.
I might try Pantheon, but haven't been watching much animation of late, except for Miyazaki. And if you know when to fold 'em, you're doing it right, Joe.
It could be a Phillip Dick story. Not your usual anime. Certainly KB should check it out.
A question: has anyone here watched the ABC series "High Potential" (streaming on Hulu)? My husband wants to watch it, and it looked very mid/meh to me (kind of "Good Will Hunting" vibes—the cleaner is actually a crime-solving savant!), but I'm willing to change my mind.
I very rarely (like almost never) watch network TV but I watched it and thought it was certainly good for what it was going for. Kaitlin Olson is always worth the time. She's very committed to it. It's light fare, totally fine. I would probably spend my available time elsewhere if I was limited, but squeezed it in.
Yes. It sort of inverts the procedural cop formula with a bit of humor. Like any episodic procedural, it chugs through the basic plot, but Kaitlin Olson pulls it off in a relatable way. It doesn’t really push any boundaries for broadcast TV, but it’s a notch above average. If you like Kaitlin Olson, the poorly named “The Mick” is a riot. Both seasons also on Hulu.
It's definitely Cop/Not A Cop and it's fun because of Olson, agreed. The Mick was very underrated, also agreed.
Above average was incorrect. It’s actually just so so…but I’ll at least admit watching it.
I also wish to try “High Potential” but it’s not available at all in Australia and by the time it does get here, I’ll have forgotten about it. Damn.
I watched it in advance and already kinda forgot about it, if that helps.
I think I’ve built up enough cred around here to get Mr Crankypants to at least give the two episode test to…
(Ahem)
ZeroZeroZero on Amazon!!!
Check it out you’ll love it!!!
You have indeed, and guess what? I started it on Tuesday and watched two episodes and snuck the third episode into Wednesday lunch. I'm intrigued. It's kind of all over the place. So I'm going to watch it all.
I enjoyed it a lot. Some really good performances and good pacing without things being hectic for their sake.
Two thoughts:
1) No matter what ya can’t say they were filming on some back lot in Vancouver to stand in for Mexico or Italy, they’re definitely ON LOCATION!!!
2) Thematically it’s got something in common with “Patriot”: The idea that getting something from point A to point B can get complicated quick…
In this case that “something” is much bigger and there’s more of it, but the problem is the same…
I might want to watch Patriot again. I miss John.
We've been thinking about a Luxembourg trip. Seriously. And because of Patriot.
I had the same feeling during the first time I watched!
zero zero zero was fantastic- the multiple storylines came together perfectly
It's certainly operating on a lot of side streets so it's good to hear it comes together in the end. I'm liking it so far and sticking it out.
My television stomach has multiple chambers, one high brow, one low brow. And each is hierarchical, yet only one diet is generally discussed with friends. I suppose Mid Meh resides in both.
So this is like your Bile File? I mean -- stomach chambers. I think that's a first. But I do think we all need a lot of room for Mid because there's a lot out there to, uh, digest.
Hey Tim - I realized you did a podcast with Jason around Christmas time. Very enjoyable!
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-holiday-visit-from-tim-goodman/id920985248?i=1000681584864
You mentioned preferring darker mystery shows. I am currently watching Man on the Inside (Netflix). It seemed light like Only Murders and then it definitely goes darker.
As for mid vs meh, yes!! Am I a bad person for actually wanting the mid stuff sometimes? Not overly ambitious, not aiming for greatness but nevertheless executing on a high level. That is often my sweet spot. Your example of The Diplomat is apt. The gourmet cheeseburger. (How Much Netflix Can the World Absorb?https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/01/16/how-much-more-netflix-can-the-world-absorb-bela-bajaria).
I think Elsbeth is probably a favorite mid show. I like procedural dramas but when I watch Elsbeth the quality is simply up several notches above everything else. It’s sly, being a Columbo type show while throwing in social commentary. The Kings are simply good at this even if they’re forced to be less ambitious on CBS.
Thanks, and yes I was so swamped with stuff when that podcast came out I don't think I even made mention of it. I was going in a lot of directions, but glad you liked it. Always good to talk TV with Jason.
And of course Mid shows are fine! Go for it.
My husband watched The Madness while I ignored it at the same time (I read or crocheted). When I would mentally tune in, there were parts that were good and parts that were more WTF? I much preferred Black Doves and even more The Diplomat.
Same. And there were plentiful opportunities for it to work, but, well, wrong road taken at every fork.
This post resonates a lot with me as a reader. I have a hard time knowing when to give up on a book. I just finished a 600-page novel that had come highly recommended, but I found it VERY MID. Why didn't I bail at the 50-page mark? A late friend of mine used to bail on books all the time, skipping to the end if she was curious about what happened. With TV it's even easier, since most of them have detailed Wikipedia summaries if you're dying to know how it all turns out.
Oh I think a book like that must be very hard to sort out when done (it takes me forever to read) and wonder why you didn’t stop. I feel you. Also because some books are A SLOG but end up excellent and worth the time. Hard to know!
I haven't had Moravian Sugar Cake (yet), but these are pretty damn good. A holiday tradition ever since we got them: https://www.hanescookies.com
Nice!!