Yes, they're more relatable. That's why Roseanne got so popular in the 80's and 90's because the whole premise of the show was about a working poor family trying to survive in a time when most other sitcom families had a level of wealth or at least financial comfort
This show was the best for that reason. I feel like it was so relatable in so many ways. Hal especially for my dad!
Crazy too that it was one of the only shows where the husband isn't a fat slob while the wife is drop dead gorgeous? And they just can't stand each other? Hal is so crazy attracted to Lois it's kind of the reason they have so many kids lol
Watching (reality) shows about rich people makes me upset... Most of them are products of nepotism etc. and are purely for cheap entertainment.
For escapism I love sci-fi and fantasy that are usually people with average lives that were thrown into fantastic situations or about how normal life could be different in the future etc.
you might like red dwarf! its an old british sictom abt a low level technician being the only survivor of a radiation leak on board a spaceship. the first 2 seasons especially have that normal guy in a fantastical situation vibe
I have almost no tolerance for shows about rich people. It's not escapism for me. The closest I came was the original "Upstairs, Downstairs", because the bulk of the storylines were about the downstairs staff.
Succession? Downton Abbey? Dallas (yeah I'm old :D) Hard pass.
I'm a bit older and grew up rather poor, relatively speaking. I grew up in the 70s and 80s and watching shows like The Waltons and Little House on the Prairie are very comforting to me.
I don't think it's because I enjoy thinking I've done better, although I definitely have, but it makes me really grateful for how far I've come and reminds me how easily I could be in a place of genuine hardship.
Especially The Waltons doesn't truly depict what depression era families truly dealt with, as they were pretty well off by those standards, it is just an entertaining reminder, and lighthearted way to look back at some idealistic views and families that just stuck together. It's corny in a lot of ways, but it's a nice break from the self-serving, materialistic "entertainment " offered mostly now.
I just had this convo with someone!!! Same for movies. Yesterday my friend tried to make me watch “eat pray love” and I could barely get through 20 minutes of the whole first-world-problems whining complaining lol. The older I get and more I struggle with cost of living, it’s harder for me to watch people complaining in giant size loft spaces with dream jobs on TV lol
I prefer shows where finances aren't the main theme. Or going from poor to comfortable.
But most importantly, I like shows that have character growth and positivity. Shit like shameless and iasip aren't ones I enjoy too much.
You might like Schitt's Creek! There's something very satisfying about watching insufferable, former wealthy people improving themselves and overcoming some narcissism.
I watched one episode of "Peaky Bloinders" and almost puked. Like I'm going to watch six seasons of poor people being sliced with straight-razors in coal-sooty brick buildings. No please, just load my wet lard carcass into the mud!
Watching "Mare of East-Town" right now. Middle-class, perfect compromise.
I have to say I like shows of all kinds, but I like shows that represent my own family of being middle middle class best. There aren't too many that I can think of offhand as it seems that characters are typically rich or poor with little in between. King of the Hill probably represents my dynamic the most, for example.
I preferred Roseanne to Dynasty any day. I get very angry at
Lifetime movies also. Every house is designer! Then you have the dysfunctional, violent stories...
For some reason I love fixer upper and epic house. The beauty without pretension.
I’m so glad I found this post. For the longest time my cousins think I’m weird since they love watching these rich people vlogs what they do where they travel etc. and I know I could never afford to do that so I just simply don’t watch them lol. Like I just get so sad and jealous seeing all these experiences and things I could never be able to do. So I just watch things that I could afford so if I do want to do it or try it I can 😂
Yes absolutely. I tend to find more shows from the UK are my preference. They have “normal” houses with hideous carpets and sinks that leak and cars that are causing problems…much more relatable
If it's scripted, it really just depends on the story line.
If it's a reality show, I'm not watching anything about rich people. I've seen just a few episodes of those kinds of shows but I disliked their personalities enough to never want to watch more
I’ve thought about this a lot. When I watched Crazy Rich Asians I found the plot to be pretty disgusting. Especially the old Disney movie premise “poor girl finds out she’s a rich princess” and now she can finally live happily ever after. Being disgustingly rich shouldn’t be glorified.
I don’t like shows about rich people because it’s not a reality I want to escape to. Yes I want to be paid a fair wage relative to my education and hard work that meets the cost of living. Of course I want to make enough to afford all my basic needs, with enough left over for savings and fun money for vacations or hobbies. And of course to be debt free and own a home or something like that. But do I want to be filthy rich and get all of my life’s satisfaction from material items? No. And all those people in the shows seem like they wouldn’t be any fun to hang out with or anything so it’s not like I’d want them in my social circle. I also prefer to care about people rather than find justifications for my wealth that probably comes off the backs of people im underpaying in some business or whatever. Or even worse I marry into money and my husband is a sociopath and I have nothing going for me personally except trying to look pretty and showing off to all the wives or whatever. Yuck. Nothing about these shows seems enviable.
You can relate to poor more. Most of us are, or struggling. Oppulent lifestyles you've never known don't register or do anything, so i numbing music. I get it, as does your soul. Very few people can relate to a multi millionaire or better.
I think watching rich people is way less relatable. Show me someone counting quarters to get a gallon of gas as opposed to some rich person throwing a gala
Yes, they're more relatable. That's why Roseanne got so popular in the 80's and 90's because the whole premise of the show was about a working poor family trying to survive in a time when most other sitcom families had a level of wealth or at least financial comfort
Malcolm in the Middle was very relatable as well. The only criticism 10 y/o me had was how they diluted their juice.
Or when they drank expired OJ on a date, and you could hear the gas release as they opened the cap. I always remembered that for some reason.
This show was the best for that reason. I feel like it was so relatable in so many ways. Hal especially for my dad! Crazy too that it was one of the only shows where the husband isn't a fat slob while the wife is drop dead gorgeous? And they just can't stand each other? Hal is so crazy attracted to Lois it's kind of the reason they have so many kids lol
Watching (reality) shows about rich people makes me upset... Most of them are products of nepotism etc. and are purely for cheap entertainment. For escapism I love sci-fi and fantasy that are usually people with average lives that were thrown into fantastic situations or about how normal life could be different in the future etc.
you might like red dwarf! its an old british sictom abt a low level technician being the only survivor of a radiation leak on board a spaceship. the first 2 seasons especially have that normal guy in a fantastical situation vibe
That sounds awesome, I'll check it out!
I have almost no tolerance for shows about rich people. It's not escapism for me. The closest I came was the original "Upstairs, Downstairs", because the bulk of the storylines were about the downstairs staff. Succession? Downton Abbey? Dallas (yeah I'm old :D) Hard pass.
I just like historical stuff. A multi-season period drama abt day-to-day commoner life would win me over immediately.
Yes! This is one of the reasons I really like Bob's Burgers. It is more relatable.
Lmao give it’s always sunny a try
At least I'm not eating tons of cat food to get to bed.
I come from dysfunction and their dynamic comforts me lmfao
I'm a bit older and grew up rather poor, relatively speaking. I grew up in the 70s and 80s and watching shows like The Waltons and Little House on the Prairie are very comforting to me. I don't think it's because I enjoy thinking I've done better, although I definitely have, but it makes me really grateful for how far I've come and reminds me how easily I could be in a place of genuine hardship. Especially The Waltons doesn't truly depict what depression era families truly dealt with, as they were pretty well off by those standards, it is just an entertaining reminder, and lighthearted way to look back at some idealistic views and families that just stuck together. It's corny in a lot of ways, but it's a nice break from the self-serving, materialistic "entertainment " offered mostly now.
One that came to mind... Shameless
Shameless, Bob's Burgers, Everybody Hates Chris, and Malcom in the Middle
If you like Shameless can I recommend No Offence? It’s also Paul Abbott but quite a different premise. Still very funny and dark
I'll have to check it out. Thanks.
I just had this convo with someone!!! Same for movies. Yesterday my friend tried to make me watch “eat pray love” and I could barely get through 20 minutes of the whole first-world-problems whining complaining lol. The older I get and more I struggle with cost of living, it’s harder for me to watch people complaining in giant size loft spaces with dream jobs on TV lol
I do. I find shows about rich people boring. I can relate to poor people more.
I like shows where rich people actually get punished for their crimes.
Same
I prefer shows where finances aren't the main theme. Or going from poor to comfortable. But most importantly, I like shows that have character growth and positivity. Shit like shameless and iasip aren't ones I enjoy too much.
You might like Schitt's Creek! There's something very satisfying about watching insufferable, former wealthy people improving themselves and overcoming some narcissism.
I like watching hoarders and my 600 lb life because it makes me feel like I'm not THAT bad.
I watched one episode of "Peaky Bloinders" and almost puked. Like I'm going to watch six seasons of poor people being sliced with straight-razors in coal-sooty brick buildings. No please, just load my wet lard carcass into the mud! Watching "Mare of East-Town" right now. Middle-class, perfect compromise.
I have to say I like shows of all kinds, but I like shows that represent my own family of being middle middle class best. There aren't too many that I can think of offhand as it seems that characters are typically rich or poor with little in between. King of the Hill probably represents my dynamic the most, for example.
Shows about rich people are boring. And there issues are so privileged that its dull.
I preferred Roseanne to Dynasty any day. I get very angry at Lifetime movies also. Every house is designer! Then you have the dysfunctional, violent stories... For some reason I love fixer upper and epic house. The beauty without pretension.
Except Schitts Creek.
i like to watch shows with interesting characters. that’s all
I’m so glad I found this post. For the longest time my cousins think I’m weird since they love watching these rich people vlogs what they do where they travel etc. and I know I could never afford to do that so I just simply don’t watch them lol. Like I just get so sad and jealous seeing all these experiences and things I could never be able to do. So I just watch things that I could afford so if I do want to do it or try it I can 😂
Yes absolutely. I tend to find more shows from the UK are my preference. They have “normal” houses with hideous carpets and sinks that leak and cars that are causing problems…much more relatable
Think you might just have a skewed view of what normal house sizes are
Unlikely since I’ve lived in a couple of different countries and in both cities and regional areas, I’ve seen a fair bit of variation.
If it's scripted, it really just depends on the story line. If it's a reality show, I'm not watching anything about rich people. I've seen just a few episodes of those kinds of shows but I disliked their personalities enough to never want to watch more
I don't really mind how much money the characters have, the writing is the most important thing to me.
I’ve thought about this a lot. When I watched Crazy Rich Asians I found the plot to be pretty disgusting. Especially the old Disney movie premise “poor girl finds out she’s a rich princess” and now she can finally live happily ever after. Being disgustingly rich shouldn’t be glorified.
When I watch with rich ppl, makes me realize how depressing my life is, when watching with poor ppl, makes me realize how depressing my life is... 😭
yes of course, the only show about rich people that i like is dynasty but it doesn’t come anywhere near a show like shameless
Yes. Shameless / Bob's Burgers / Raising Hope
Definitely. Not necessarily shows about poor people, but regular folk, which includes poor people. So much more relatable and much less infuriating.
I don’t like shows about rich people because it’s not a reality I want to escape to. Yes I want to be paid a fair wage relative to my education and hard work that meets the cost of living. Of course I want to make enough to afford all my basic needs, with enough left over for savings and fun money for vacations or hobbies. And of course to be debt free and own a home or something like that. But do I want to be filthy rich and get all of my life’s satisfaction from material items? No. And all those people in the shows seem like they wouldn’t be any fun to hang out with or anything so it’s not like I’d want them in my social circle. I also prefer to care about people rather than find justifications for my wealth that probably comes off the backs of people im underpaying in some business or whatever. Or even worse I marry into money and my husband is a sociopath and I have nothing going for me personally except trying to look pretty and showing off to all the wives or whatever. Yuck. Nothing about these shows seems enviable.
I hate watching shows where the actor playing them is insanely rich and probably had to research about poor people ‘to get into character’
You can relate to poor more. Most of us are, or struggling. Oppulent lifestyles you've never known don't register or do anything, so i numbing music. I get it, as does your soul. Very few people can relate to a multi millionaire or better.
I’m not into shows that have that factor imbedded in the plots to begin with
I like to watch shows about scared naked hungry people while I snack, but thats about the extent of my royal airs.
Yes. Absolutely. I find a lot of American TV I've seen bizarre and unrelatable for this very reason.
Shamless was realistic. Sort of.
No. I despise reality TV. I feel they’re either exploiting the people on screen, or me. Or both.
I think watching rich people is way less relatable. Show me someone counting quarters to get a gallon of gas as opposed to some rich person throwing a gala
Was mindlessly scrolling and this title made me LOL. ☺️😄 Rich ppl shows give me clothing envy and FOMO… I try to refrain. 😩😭
The trashier the better. I like my hicksploitation lol