Today's User Submitted Daily (USD) Poll was submitted by Teen Wolfers who was picked randomly from our Poll Submissions (see below).
Let us know in the comments what you voted for and why? Want to see your Poll posted on the site? Click the Blue Button below
Rules
- Polls need to be TV/Movie related.
- You must supply a Poll Question, and the possible choices. Please try to keep the number of options to a reasonable amount (Max of 20 Items)
- You can only Submit 1 Poll Per Day. Previous polls submitted will still be eligible for posting (ie you don't need to keep submitting the same poll everyday)
Each day we will pick one submitted poll at random to post on the site.
All I care about is about their story characters. As long as they are on a show, that's fine. Don't even care to know their real names, or what they do after a said show is done.
A story is dictated by intelligently written, realistic, dynamic characters, who are played by actors who are masters of their craft and the best in the business.
Well, at first it's the story. When it's getting worse, then characters. It's obviously very difficult to have interesting characters, if you don't have good plot, but still. When characters fail, but there's at least three actors I like (it's my new tv rule), I probbably still give it a chance. When all three fail, I drop the show.
It depends on the show. With procedurals, I watch mainly for the characters. For example, NCIS can have a rather uninteresting case of the week, but I can still enjoy the episode because of the character. When characters fail to be interesting, my focus shifts towards the story. A great example of this is Under the Dome, though even the story sometimes fails to interest me.
A combination of the three, if one actor/actress that I like a lot has a TV show I try it and if the story is good and the characters are well done, I watch it. And sometimes if a lot of people talk really good about the show I try it too.
I had to go with characters - an interesting premise or storylines draw me in, of course, but I can't stick with watching a show if I don't get into the characters. I can think of several shows where I thought the plot was cool or interesting, but if I didn't care about the characters or find them well-developed, I'll usually stop watching. On the flip side, I've stuck out many shows that have gone stale or lost their story-telling spark because of my investment in the characters (I sat through the 3 awful final seasons of Entourage where basically every character was destroyed; Grey's Anatomy in recent years also comes to mind).
Other: Story and Character. I grew up on classic Doctor Who, so I find stuff like production values and special effects to be superficial (and often a waste of time/money), and actors have to really stand out to watch for. Story is the main thing, in whatever form it is told, and characters serve the story.
First I look at the story or the actors! For example American crime I will tune in for Felicity Huffman with the overall story not to appealing for me. If the story works and I get attached to the characters I will stick with it. With Scorpion on the other hand looks interesting, the story about 4 geniuses who solve crime sounds okay but I don't know "well" any of those actors. But again if I get attached to the characters I will stick with it. Overall it's about connecting to the characters, I couldn't do it with Dexter, no matter how many people told me it was brilliant. The show was so bland for me just none of the characters or their actions moved me, barely suffered through 2 seasons.
Mainly characters/actors for shows I already watch. Actors and Story for new shows. For example, my favourite show is Supernatural. I still watch that show because of the characters. I am very attatched to the characters. I also watch it because of the actors due to some kind of odd loyalty I guess. If they've stuck with it for 10 years than I owe it to them to keep watching. I certainly don't watch it for the story anymore. However if I don't know much about a show the actors might draw me in. Like Dominion. I heard it had Anthony S Head in it so I gave it a shot and I liked it. Whereas with Helix I didn't know any actors but watched it because of the story. So it all depends really.
A combination of three: if it doesn't have at least some good elements in all fronts I won't stand it. Halt and Catch Fire has good actors, but I didn't feel compelled by the characters or the story. The Leftovers has great characters, but it's almost as it doesn't have a story whatsoever. Revolution S1 had interesting ideas, but the actors (Tracy Spiridakos mostly) did an awful job. Thankfully the show got better later.
I can't watch any of those shows- except for Revolution, which improved sharply later on- because they lack 1 or 2 important elements to make things work. It's hard for me to watch a show for only one element only. Every show has its unique strength- GoT is the storyline, Homeland is the characters and the actors, Revenge is the pleasure felt post watching it-, but all of them require a minimun of all the elements.
I think Fringe is my favorite show because it found a great balance in storytelling, characters and superb acting. It may not be the best show overall, but for me it is the one that got everything right and worked the best.
For me what usually attracts me first to a show are characters (some of my favorites - Hook - Deeks- felicity smoak, all of the characters from modern family...) and then the story.
I love the question :-) I watch mainly for the characters. Now, obviously, it's rather hard to provide great characters without providing a good story to go with them or without good actors, so in a way it's all connected. Nevertheless, if I have a problem with various aspects of the show but like one of the characters, I'm more likely to keep coming back, hoping that the rest will improve over time. If the story and actors are good but I can't find even one character that I actually care about then it's just a matter of time till I drop the show.
I watch mainly for the characters, but the story is other thing I look for. There's some shows that become horrible after a while, but I stick with it because I'm too invested with caracters (ex. True Blood, PLL, New Girl)
I will check out a show because of an actor mainly. Also I check out the trailers and if I fancy a storyline I will watch....I will then check out the show and the combo of all 3 will keep me watching:)
Mainly for the story and characters. There needs to be a story that interests me, and at least a couple characters I like watching.
As long as the actors can act half decently who the actors are don't really matter to me, and I won't watch a show I don't think I'll like for an actor.
Mainly? The story. The characters only become interesting if they have interesting things to do. If the writing takes too much of a turn toward "making it up as they go along," no character and no actor can save it for me. Sometimes an actor can make a story more compelling, such as Billy Bob Thornton did on Fargo, but that only goes so far. So, the story first, the rest follow.
For me it depends on the show. I watch a lot of shows but the only ones where I watch for all 3 are Teen Wolf, Penny Dreadful, The 100, Dominion, The Last Ship & Stargate Universe (SGU was the first show I watched for all 3). The only reason I kept watching TVD up to season 5 was for some of the characters (Stefan & Caroline mainly), other characters are also part of the reason I stopped watching though (Damon & Elena mainly).
The Leftovers I watch for the characters & story, while a lot of people say it has no story I think it does, I like watching each persons struggle and the great acting makes it a lot better. OUAT I watch for characters & story as well, it has some really great characters (Regina, Rumple, Ruby etc.) that are backed up by great acting. The story has it's ups and downs but for the most part I really like it.
Almost Human was a show that I got into initially for story but then I just fell in love with John & Dorian that story took a back seat for me, I just loved those characters and they were really well acted too :)
The Strain is a show that im not really sure why im watching :P I think it's just bc it's unique and a nice break from the norm, it has good acting, an interesting story and some very intriguing characters.
True Blood, SPN, Arrow, Falling Skies, TWD, Reign & TO are all shows I watched purely for story, when the story got terrible (imo) I dropped them all.
The story and if it's a good story, the well developed characters come with it. Examples- I had no idea I would love Sleepy Hollow so much and had never heard of the actors. I only knew that SH was always a favorite story. Then came characters I fell in love with, played by amazing actors. -As much as I loved SMG in Buffy, I could not stand Ringer. The story was a mess and the characters were not easy to care about. -Beauty and the Beast was one of my favorites from the 80's so I was really excited for the new version. Only to be disappointed. The story and the acting is lackluster. It didn't take long for me to drop it. -I had never heard of any of the writers or actors for The 100 but the storyline drew me in and now I want Jason Rothenberg to develop every new show the CW comes up with. This shows character development should be shown in film school. -I watched the original Battlestar Galactica. Starbuck was my first TV crush. I expected to hate the newer shows but loved them all! So saying, if I have favorite actors start a new show, I will follow but if the story and development is not there, I can't watch it. Same with old favorite stories. If the acting and writing is not there, I will not watch.
Usually I start for the story but stay for the character and, therefore, the actor because I can't get invested in the character if the actor is not convincing in the part.
The story. I've never particularly enjoyed the "story vs. characters" idea... the characters literally do not exist beyond the story. The only aspect of the separation between the two that makes sense to me is in defining a character via their performance/behaviour rather than on their progression or depth of characterization. (E.g., a lot of comedies don't ever bother to draw develop their characters too much, and simply give them a bunch of eccentricities that people will find funny *cough* Sheldon Cooper *cough*).
I'll definitely watch some shows for the characters over their plots though. The Vampire Diaries, for instance, has wretched plotting right now, but still manages to maintain some good character moments. The thing is, the characters which are in the best shape right now (Stefan and Caroline) are also the only ones whose overall stories still make sense. So I guess it's still kind of a story thing. I can't understand people who are terribly invested in Elena still, for instance, because her personal journey has stopped being anything approaching a cohesive story.
I will start watching a show because of an actor but only if the story sounds like one that could be intriguing to me. I'll continue to watch as long as the characters and story keep me hooked regardless of how much I like the actor that initially brought me to the show. Killer Women is a perfect example, I like Tricia Helfer and a couple of other of the featured actors and the premise sounded intriguing but the story was awful and the characters were so cliched I had to stop watching after the second episode.
Story for me. It is very rare I watch a series where I like the characters but not the story... However, I will watch a series where I don't necessarily like the characters but like the story.
Related to that is the fact I rarely watch procedural shows for more than a year or two even if I like the characters. I get bored watching shows with too simple or obvious of a story, or shows with just flat out bad writing.
Obviously the best combination is good story and characters I like (or like to dislike).
it's usually a combo, but i usually can't get into a show unless i feel connected to the characters in some way, so character is most important of the three for me
It depends on the show. Usually I start watching a show mainly for the story. Then I often keep watching it because I love the characters and the way the actors are acting. That's why I'm watching GoT , The Killing, Justified for example and also why I kept watching The Mentalist and OUAT when the stories were disappointing for me. Sometimes of course I can watch the first episodes of a TV show because I like the actors. Or I can keep watching a show ALSO because I love the cast. But the story and/or the characters are what need a good show for me.
For me, it's generally a combination of character and actor. I can forgive a fair amount of stupid storyline if there's at least one character who I latch onto as someone I want to see more of. The decision of whether a show has that or not is generally a combination of an interesting character played by an actor with the sort of charisma or screen-presence or 'je ne sais quoi' that makes me sit up and take notice.
For me it's a combination. A good story or interesting premise is always a good place to start, but if the actors and their characters don't also grab, move, or provoke you, then the story means nothing. That's not to say that some shows just need time to sort themselves out. Additionally you can have a great cast with decant acting, but if the story isn't also taking them somewhere, than, especially with TV, the same old can get old fast!
It depends on the show:: Mainly for the story:Under the Dome,The Strain,Sleepy Hollow (although I also watch it for Ichadbod Crane) Mainly for the characters:Ouat,the vampire diaries,the originals I don't watch tv shows for the actors. Maybe that attracts me at first but the show must have a good story or characters .
A combination of the three.Ive checked out a few shows cause of actors/actresess and I've also decided against watching a show with a actress I like cause of the story/content.Ive also stuck with shows with actors/actresess I like despite loosing interest in the story after a few seasons.Ive also checked out a show-Reign-that normally wouldn't be my cup of tea due to the story sounding interesting.
Very true. But I think it is easier for a show to be either good or watchable when it has a good story and ok actors than for the opposite to happen (though it does happen. Sometimes a central character being off the charts will elevate the show's level. IMO, it's the case with The Blacklist. Red is a much better character than The Blacklist is a good show. That's partially thanks to Spader, of course, but also thanks to the writers who give him material to work with). The same could be said about characters, I guess. Usually good writing produces good characters, but I can watch a show where none of the characters is a favorite of mine, so long as the story is consistent (one very good example is The Walking Dead. Although the characters have roles to fill and they competently achieve that, I am not particularly anyone's fan. People can die and I see that as a natural effect of the story, even when the character is central. So long as the plot moves forward, I'm happy). On the other hand, there is only one show I currently watch for the sake of a character, and I'm very close to dropping it just 'cos inconsistent storytelling really does bug me.
For me it's a mix of all three, but most often, it goes in this order: Actor, character, story. Many of the shows I like I started watching because an actor I like was in them. But then I came to like the characters they played, as well as the other characters on the show, so I started watching regularly for that purpose, and then if the stories involving them were intriguing and entertaining, that was just icing on the cake. Ultimately, the thing that makes me stick with a show is my love for the characters, and the chemistry between them. The cast has to make me believe these people could really be good friends/work together/be related, the chemistry between them has to be strong, and they have to make me care about these characters. So long as that's in place, they can throw any crazy story at me they want and I'll either enjoy it if it's a good one, or deal with it if it's a not-so-good one, so long as I get to watch these characters I've come to enjoy. This isn't to say I don't care at all about story craft, because I do-obviously a show is made all the better by well-crafted, tightly constructed, logical, entertaining stories. But if the characters aren't interesting, then I'm probably not going to be all that invested in the story involving them, either.
Yeah there's dozens of shows that suit each of the three categories individually. You have House MD as a parallel to The Blacklist as a actor-centric show. You have an all-rounder in the form of Person of Interest, The Night Shift for a great bunch of characters played by average actors. Boston Legal had no real story but excellent actors and characters. Scandal is another all-rounder. Each show is markedly different
Nowadays there are rarely shows with good story, so I just watch for the characters and a storyline that provides my guilty pleasure. I mean we don't have ERs, West Wings, The Practices, Sex and the Cities anymore so... / But I think characterwise, there has been more diversity lately.
Should the "TV Gods" prove kind and merciful we viewers will get the "BEST" all three (actor/character/story). We viewers can still dream...................can't we? Nobody, 4 NOW!!!
Mainly because of the actors. For example I only watched Crisis for Gillian Anderson, I'm watching The Leftovers because of Amy Brenneman... OUAT for Ginnifer Goodwin and many more.
Mainly for the actors. The actors and how well they can present the story is everything. The story and the plot itself can be awesome but if the people who play are stiff, bland, or vise versa annoying jumpy no amount of press, hype etc will be able to save the movie or tv shows. And i can patiently watch on and on even the most boring repetative tv show if i love the actors. I will give a chance to even the most unusual (unpromising) for me tv show if they have cast i like but it the show has a lot of hype and promise but none of the actors i like i will wait until at least half the season airs before jumping on board and seeing what the hype is all about.
NOTE: Name-calling, personal attacks, spamming, excessive self-promotion, condescending pomposity, general assiness, racism, sexism, any-other-ism, homophobia, acrophobia, and destructive (versus constructive) criticism will get you BANNED from the party.
It depends on the show, but mainly for the story
ReplyDeleteI wanted to write the exact same sentence, so I´ll just second that statement :D
ReplyDeleteAll I care about is about their story characters. As long as they are on a show, that's fine. Don't even care to know their real names, or what they do after a said show is done.
ReplyDeleteStory and characters tied.
ReplyDeleteA story is dictated by intelligently written, realistic, dynamic characters, who are played by actors who are masters of their craft and the best in the business.
ReplyDeleteWell, at first it's the story. When it's getting worse, then characters. It's obviously very difficult to have interesting characters, if you don't have good plot, but still. When characters fail, but there's at least three actors I like (it's my new tv rule), I probbably still give it a chance. When all three fail, I drop the show.
ReplyDeleteIt depends on the show. With procedurals, I watch mainly for the characters. For example, NCIS can have a rather uninteresting case of the week, but I can still enjoy the episode because of the character. When characters fail to be interesting, my focus shifts towards the story. A great example of this is Under the Dome, though even the story sometimes fails to interest me.
ReplyDeleteA combination of the three, if one actor/actress that I like a lot has a TV show I try it and if the story is good and the characters are well done, I watch it. And sometimes if a lot of people talk really good about the show I try it too.
ReplyDeleteWell, I go with "It depends on the show". For example;
ReplyDelete1. I watch Supernatural mainly for the characters and Misha Collins (aka. Castiel)
2. I watch The Killing/Forbydelsen for the story/stories
3. I watch Downton Abbey/Call the Midwife/Sherlock (and frankly all british drama) for the fabulous actors!!
It depends on the show and the story. But if the writing is really bad, I might ditch the show.
ReplyDeleteI had to go with characters - an interesting premise or storylines draw me in, of course, but I can't stick with watching a show if I don't get into the characters. I can think of several shows where I thought the plot was cool or interesting, but if I didn't care about the characters or find them well-developed, I'll usually stop watching. On the flip side, I've stuck out many shows that have gone stale or lost their story-telling spark because of my investment in the characters (I sat through the 3 awful final seasons of Entourage where basically every character was destroyed; Grey's Anatomy in recent years also comes to mind).
ReplyDeleteOther: Story and Character. I grew up on classic Doctor Who, so I find stuff like production values and special effects to be superficial (and often a waste of time/money), and actors have to really stand out to watch for. Story is the main thing, in whatever form it is told, and characters serve the story.
ReplyDeleteFirst I look at the story or the actors! For example American crime I will tune in for Felicity Huffman with the overall story not to appealing for me. If the story works and I get attached to the characters I will stick with it.
ReplyDeleteWith Scorpion on the other hand looks interesting, the story about 4 geniuses who solve crime sounds okay but I don't know "well" any of those actors. But again if I get attached to the characters I will stick with it.
Overall it's about connecting to the characters, I couldn't do it with Dexter, no matter how many people told me it was brilliant. The show was so bland for me just none of the characters or their actions moved me, barely suffered through 2 seasons.
Mainly characters/actors for shows I already watch. Actors and Story for new shows. For example, my favourite show is Supernatural. I still watch that show because of the characters. I am very attatched to the characters. I also watch it because of the actors due to some kind of odd loyalty I guess. If they've stuck with it for 10 years than I owe it to them to keep watching. I certainly don't watch it for the story anymore. However if I don't know much about a show the actors might draw me in. Like Dominion. I heard it had Anthony S Head in it so I gave it a shot and I liked it. Whereas with Helix I didn't know any actors but watched it because of the story. So it all depends really.
ReplyDeleteIt has to be combination of all 3
ReplyDeleteA combination of three: if it doesn't have at least some good elements in all fronts I won't stand it.
ReplyDeleteHalt and Catch Fire has good actors, but I didn't feel compelled by the characters or the story.
The Leftovers has great characters, but it's almost as it doesn't have a story whatsoever.
Revolution S1 had interesting ideas, but the actors (Tracy Spiridakos mostly) did an awful job. Thankfully the show got better later.
I can't watch any of those shows- except for Revolution, which improved sharply later on- because they lack 1 or 2 important elements to make things work. It's hard for me to watch a show for only one element only. Every show has its unique strength- GoT is the storyline, Homeland is the characters and the actors, Revenge is the pleasure felt post watching it-, but all of them require a minimun of all the elements.
I think Fringe is my favorite show because it found a great balance in storytelling, characters and superb acting. It may not be the best show overall, but for me it is the one that got everything right and worked the best.
For me what usually attracts me first to a show are characters (some of my favorites - Hook - Deeks- felicity smoak, all of the characters from modern family...) and then the story.
ReplyDeleteI love the question
ReplyDelete:-) I watch mainly for the characters. Now, obviously, it's rather hard to
provide great characters without providing a good story to go with them or
without good actors, so in a way it's all connected. Nevertheless, if I have a
problem with various aspects of the show but like one of the characters, I'm
more likely to keep coming back, hoping that the rest will improve over time.
If the story and actors are good but I can't find even one character that I
actually care about then it's just a matter of time till I drop the show.
I completely agree with you, It's the same for me !
ReplyDeleteI watch mainly for the characters, but the story is other thing I look for. There's some shows that become horrible after a while, but I stick with it because I'm too invested with caracters (ex. True Blood, PLL, New Girl)
ReplyDeleteSometimes I watch a show for the actor(s), but whether I stick around or not, depends on the story and characters.
ReplyDeleteI would have to say a combination of the story and characters. That's why I voted "Other."
ReplyDeleteI will check out a show because of an actor mainly. Also I check out the trailers and if I fancy a storyline I will watch....I will then check out the show and the combo of all 3 will keep me watching:)
ReplyDeleteMainly for the story and characters. There needs to be a story that interests me, and at least a couple characters I like watching.
ReplyDeleteAs long as the actors can act half decently who the actors are don't really matter to me, and I won't watch a show I don't think I'll like for an actor.
Mainly? The story. The characters only become interesting if they have interesting things to do. If the writing takes too much of a turn toward "making it up as they go along," no character and no actor can save it for me. Sometimes an actor can make a story more compelling, such as Billy Bob Thornton did on Fargo, but that only goes so far. So, the story first, the rest follow.
ReplyDeleteI totally forgot I submitted this!
ReplyDeleteFor me it depends on the show. I watch a lot of shows but the only ones where I watch for all 3 are Teen Wolf, Penny Dreadful, The 100, Dominion, The Last Ship & Stargate Universe (SGU was the first show I watched for all 3).
The only reason I kept watching TVD up to season 5 was for some of the characters (Stefan & Caroline mainly), other characters are also part of the reason I stopped watching though (Damon & Elena mainly).
The Leftovers I watch for the characters & story, while a lot of people say it has no story I think it does, I like watching each persons struggle and the great acting makes it a lot better.
OUAT I watch for characters & story as well, it has some really great characters (Regina, Rumple, Ruby etc.) that are backed up by great acting. The story has it's ups and downs but for the most part I really like it.
Almost Human was a show that I got into initially for story but then I just fell in love with John & Dorian that story took a back seat for me, I just loved those characters and they were really well acted too :)
The Strain is a show that im not really sure why im watching :P I think it's just bc it's unique and a nice break from the norm, it has good acting, an interesting story and some very intriguing characters.
True Blood, SPN, Arrow, Falling Skies, TWD, Reign & TO are all shows I watched purely for story, when the story got terrible (imo) I dropped them all.
The story and if it's a good story, the well developed characters come with it. Examples-
ReplyDeleteI had no idea I would love Sleepy Hollow so much and had never heard of the actors. I only knew that SH was always a favorite story. Then came characters I fell in love with, played by amazing actors.
-As much as I loved SMG in Buffy, I could not stand Ringer. The story was a mess and the characters were not easy to care about.
-Beauty and the Beast was one of my favorites from the 80's so I was really excited for the new version. Only to be disappointed. The story and the acting is lackluster. It didn't take long for me to drop it.
-I had never heard of any of the writers or actors for The 100 but the storyline drew me in and now I want Jason Rothenberg to develop every new show the CW comes up with. This shows character development should be shown in film school.
-I watched the original Battlestar Galactica. Starbuck was my first TV crush. I expected to hate the newer shows but loved them all!
So saying, if I have favorite actors start a new show, I will follow but if the story and development is not there, I can't watch it. Same with old favorite stories. If the acting and writing is not there, I will not watch.
I feel exactly the same way about Sleepy Hollow, The 100 & Jason! I didnt watch the original BSG but I did love the new ones :)
ReplyDeleteUsually I start for the story but stay for the character and, therefore, the actor because I can't get invested in the character if the actor is not convincing in the part.
ReplyDeleteStory, then characters. Actors are more negligible for the most part.
ReplyDeleteThe story.
ReplyDeleteI've never particularly enjoyed the "story vs. characters" idea... the characters literally do not exist beyond the story. The only aspect of the separation between the two that makes sense to me is in defining a character via their performance/behaviour rather than on their progression or depth of characterization. (E.g., a lot of comedies don't ever bother to draw develop their characters too much, and simply give them a bunch of eccentricities that people will find funny *cough* Sheldon Cooper *cough*).
I'll definitely watch some shows for the characters over their plots though. The Vampire Diaries, for instance, has wretched plotting right now, but still manages to maintain some good character moments. The thing is, the characters which are in the best shape right now (Stefan and Caroline) are also the only ones whose overall stories still make sense. So I guess it's still kind of a story thing. I can't understand people who are terribly invested in Elena still, for instance, because her personal journey has stopped being anything approaching a cohesive story.
I will start watching a show because of an actor but only if the story sounds like one that could be intriguing to me. I'll continue to watch as long as the characters and story keep me hooked regardless of how much I like the actor that initially brought me to the show. Killer Women is a perfect example, I like Tricia Helfer and a couple of other of the featured actors and the premise sounded intriguing but the story was awful and the characters were so cliched I had to stop watching after the second episode.
ReplyDeleteStory for me.
ReplyDeleteIt is very rare I watch a series where I like the characters but not the story...
However, I will watch a series where I don't necessarily like the characters but like the story.
Related to that is the fact I rarely watch procedural shows for more than a year or two even if I like the characters. I get bored watching shows with too simple or obvious of a story, or shows with just flat out bad writing.
Obviously the best combination is good story and characters I like (or like to dislike).
it's usually a combo, but i usually can't get into a show unless i feel connected to the characters in some way, so character is most important of the three for me
ReplyDeleteIt depends on the show. Usually I start watching a show mainly for the story. Then I often keep watching it because I love the characters and the way the actors are acting. That's why I'm watching GoT , The Killing, Justified for example and also why I kept watching The Mentalist and OUAT when the stories were disappointing for me.
ReplyDeleteSometimes of course I can watch the first episodes of a TV show because I like the actors. Or I can keep watching a show ALSO because I love the cast.
But the story and/or the characters are what need a good show for me.
Any one of the three will make me check a show out; any one of the three will make me stop watching.
ReplyDeleteFor me, it's generally a combination of character and actor. I can forgive a fair amount of stupid storyline if there's at least one character who I latch onto as someone I want to see more of. The decision of whether a show has that or not is generally a combination of an interesting character played by an actor with the sort of charisma or screen-presence or 'je ne sais quoi' that makes me sit up and take notice.
ReplyDeletemostly for the story, i didnt really care abot actor i came to know them once i watched the show....
ReplyDeleteFor me it's a combination. A good story or interesting premise is always a good place to start, but if the actors and their characters don't also grab, move, or provoke you, then the story means nothing. That's not to say that some shows just need time to sort themselves out. Additionally you can have a great cast with decant acting, but if the story isn't also taking them somewhere, than, especially with TV, the same old can get old fast!
ReplyDeleteIt depends on the show::
ReplyDeleteMainly for the story:Under the Dome,The Strain,Sleepy Hollow (although I also watch
it for Ichadbod Crane)
Mainly for the characters:Ouat,the vampire diaries,the originals
I don't watch tv shows for the actors. Maybe that attracts me at first but the show must have a good story or characters .
A combination of the three.Ive checked out a few shows cause of actors/actresess and I've also decided against watching a show with a actress I like cause of the story/content.Ive also stuck with shows with actors/actresess I like despite loosing interest in the story after a few seasons.Ive also checked out a show-Reign-that normally wouldn't be my cup of tea due to the story sounding interesting.
ReplyDeleteThe one option you didn't provide. :-D Combination of story and characters....though character will get me to give story a chance.
ReplyDeleteVery true. But I think it is easier for a show to be either good or watchable when it has a good story and ok actors than for the opposite to happen (though it does happen. Sometimes a central character being off the charts will elevate the show's level. IMO, it's the case with The Blacklist. Red is a much better character than The Blacklist is a good show. That's partially thanks to Spader, of course, but also thanks to the writers who give him material to work with).
ReplyDeleteThe same could be said about characters, I guess. Usually good writing produces good characters, but I can watch a show where none of the characters is a favorite of mine, so long as the story is consistent (one very good example is The Walking Dead. Although the characters have roles to fill and they competently achieve that, I am not particularly anyone's fan. People can die and I see that as a natural effect of the story, even when the character is central. So long as the plot moves forward, I'm happy). On the other hand, there is only one show I currently watch for the sake of a character, and I'm very close to dropping it just 'cos inconsistent storytelling really does bug me.
For me it's a mix of all three, but most often, it goes in this order: Actor, character, story. Many of the shows I like I started watching because an actor I like was in them. But then I came to like the characters they played, as well as the other characters on the show, so I started watching regularly for that purpose, and then if the stories involving them were intriguing and entertaining, that was just icing on the cake.
ReplyDeleteUltimately, the thing that makes me stick with a show is my love for the characters, and the chemistry between them. The cast has to make me believe these people could really be good friends/work together/be related, the chemistry between them has to be strong, and they have to make me care about these characters. So long as that's in place, they can throw any crazy story at me they want and I'll either enjoy it if it's a good one, or deal with it if it's a not-so-good one, so long as I get to watch these characters I've come to enjoy.
This isn't to say I don't care at all about story craft, because I do-obviously a show is made all the better by well-crafted, tightly constructed, logical, entertaining stories. But if the characters aren't interesting, then I'm probably not going to be all that invested in the story involving them, either.
Yeah there's dozens of shows that suit each of the three categories individually. You have House MD as a parallel to The Blacklist as a actor-centric show. You have an all-rounder in the form of Person of Interest, The Night Shift for a great bunch of characters played by average actors. Boston Legal had no real story but excellent actors and characters. Scandal is another all-rounder. Each show is markedly different
ReplyDeleteNowadays there are rarely shows with good story, so I just watch for the characters and a storyline that provides my guilty pleasure. I mean we don't have ERs, West Wings, The Practices, Sex and the Cities anymore so... / But I think characterwise, there has been more diversity lately.
ReplyDeleteShould the "TV Gods" prove kind and merciful we viewers will get the "BEST" all three (actor/character/story). We viewers can still dream...................can't we? Nobody, 4 NOW!!!
ReplyDeleteMainly because of the actors. For example I only watched Crisis for Gillian Anderson, I'm watching The Leftovers because of Amy Brenneman... OUAT for Ginnifer Goodwin and many more.
ReplyDeleteMainly for the actors. The actors and how well they can present the story is everything.
ReplyDeleteThe story and the plot itself can be awesome but if the people who play are stiff, bland, or vise versa annoying jumpy no amount of press, hype etc will be able to save the movie or tv shows.
And i can patiently watch on and on even the most boring repetative tv show if i love the actors.
I will give a chance to even the most unusual (unpromising) for me tv show if they have cast i like but it the show has a lot of hype and promise but none of the actors i like i will wait until at least half the season airs before jumping on board and seeing what the hype is all about.
That´s basically how I do it, too. That´s how I got into Arrow or Covert Affairs.
ReplyDelete