The Vagaries of Taste
Oct. 20th, 2021 10:09 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
shadowkat1. After years of fawning over the celebrated musician, Rolling Stone finally admitted that ahem, Clapton's not exactly an exemplary human being, or necessarily that great a musician (they appear to be on the fence in that regard). This kind of goes back to our discussions about how we reconcile artists whose "work" or "art" we love with their ahem behavior and views.
Hear an Eye-Witness Account of Clapton's Full-Tilt Racist Rant in 1976
In the new episode of Rolling Stone Music Now, senior writer David Browne discusses his recent blockbuster feature on Eric Clapton, which delved into the rock icon’s embrace of COVID-19 vaccine skepticism and his anti-immigration onstage rant in the Seventies — which was, by Clapton’s own description, “full-tilt racist.”
Eric Clapton isn't just spouting anti-vaccine nonsense, he's bankrolling it
In the past, Clapton has been reluctant to voice his political views. As he told Rolling Stone in 1968, “What I’m doing now is just my way of thinking, but if it gets into a paper somewhere, people will say that what I’m saying is the way they ought to think. Which is wrong, because I’m only a musician. If they dig my music, that’s great, but they don’t have to know what’s going on in my head.”
But in recent months Clapton has himself become a leading vaccine skeptic, part of a community that Dr. Anthony Fauci has said is “part of the problem — because you’re allowing yourself to be a vehicle for the virus to be spreading to someone else.” And while never explicitly condemning the lockdown, he’s said “live music might never recover” and joined Van Morrison for three songs that amount to lockdown protest anthems. By way of a friend’s social media account, he’s also detailed what he called his “disastrous” experience after receiving two AstraZeneca shots (“propaganda said the vaccine was safe for everyone,” he wrote).
I'm kind of rooting for these folks to die of COVID. I wish they'd die instead of the nice musicians. Can we trade David Bowie for Clapton? I liked Bowie better as a musician. I did. Frankly I was never a huge fan of Clapton. Music critic boyfriends were, I was not. My brother wasn't either.
Apparently...he did some concerts against the vaccine with Van Morrison. Et Tu, Van? Sigh. First Brown Sugar by the Rolling Stones, now Eric Clapton. Frigging hell, Information Age. I want to go back to being blessedly ignorant, naive and idealistic.
Mother: I remember when you were idealistic...I worry for your niece. All idealists become cynical it seems..
ME: Law school beat it out of me, and volunteer work. They got ahead of the internet, then New York City, unemployment, and the information age drove it home. People suck. I'm giving money to cats.
Oh well at least, I wasn't a fan of Clapton's work. But I did like Morrison. They can't take Moondance from me! (Oh, wait, I can always jump over to the Clearance Clearwater Revivals - Bad Moon Rising.) I don't care about Brown Sugar - didn't like that song to begin with, it's an earworm. Kind of like We Didn't Start the Fire.
2. The 100 Greatest TV Series of the 21st Century (Uhm, isn't it a bit early to do this list? I'd wait at least fifty years, granted you might be dead but who cares.)
Ah they have a disclaimer that addresses my annoyance: "As ever, this list is designed not as an end in itself but merely as a starting point for discovery, discussion and debate. Tell us what you think – and what you think is missing – using the hashtag #TVOfTheCentury on BBC Culture's social channels. We hope you are as inspired and exhilarated by reading the results as we are – as collectively, they not only offer a celebration of TV itself, but a view of the modern era like few others. "
So this is clearly the BBC Cultural Critic's view of the best of the century. They do admit our mileage may vary. It does. And it doesn't.
It's notably not a cult list - everything on it is "mainstream" critical darlings, well known, and written about by mainstream critics. I don't see much cult in there. So if you like Asian television series, Supernatural Teen stuff or are into off-beat or cult stuff, you probably won't find your fav's in there. There are a few exceptions but not many. And no, Breaking Bad is NOT a cult series - it's a critical darling and very mainstream. Sorry.
1. The Wire (2002-2008) - agreed
2 Mad Men (2007-2015) - agreed, but not number 2, seriously?
3 Breaking Bad (2008-2013) - I'd rank higher than Mad Men.
4 Fleabag (2016-2019) - Could not get through, bleach. Embarrassment humor squicks me.
5 Game of Thrones (2011-2019) - Flawed. I'd have ranked lower.
6 I May Destroy You (2020) - could not get through, rape themes, and embarrassment humor - squicks me.
7 The Leftovers (2014-2017) - Bored, now.
8 The Americans (2013-2018) - rape, violence, gave up.
9 The Office (UK) (2001-2003) - Embarrassment humor squicks me, also it reminded me too much of the boss who gaslit me, particularly the Brit version.
10 Succession (2018-) - haven't seen
11 BoJack Horseman (2014-2020) - nope. Don't like the art. Don't find it funny. Embarrassment humor squicks me.
12 Six Feet Under (2001-2005) - Overrated, and gave up after the second or third season
13 Twin Peaks: The Return (2017) - haven't seen, don't want to
14 Atlanta (2016-) - tried, gave up.
15 Chernobyl (2019) - haven't seen, don't want to.
16 The Crown (2016-) Loved the seasons up to the last one, haven't made it through the last one yet.
17 30 Rock (2006-2013) - Embarrassment humor squicks me.
18 Deadwood (2004-2006) - Too violent and gory, gave up
19 Lost (2004-2010) - Didn't like the last season
20 The Thick of It (2005-2012) - haven't seen or heard of
21 Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000-) - not to my taste
22 Black Mirror (2011-) - not interested in
23 Better Call Saul (2015-2022) - not to my taste
24 Veep (2012-2019) - Embarrassment humor squicks me
25 Sherlock (2010-2017) - loved up until the last season
26 Watchmen (2019) - haven't seen, don't really want to
27 Line of Duty (2012-2021) - haven't seen
28 Friday Night Lights (2006-2011) - Loved, would put higher on this list, although last three seasons were uneven
29 Parks and Recreation (2009-2015)- Embarrassment humor squicks me
30 Girls (2012-2017) - Embarrassment humor squicks me, and this annoyed me because I knew people like this and wanted to smack them in reality
31 True Detective (2014-2019) - first season was good
32 Arrested Development (2003-2019) - okay, more absurdist than embarrassment
33 The Good Wife (2009-2016) - loved, weak first two seasons, would put much higher on this list
34 The Bridge (2011-2018) - haven't seen
35 Fargo (2014-) - first two seasons were good
36= Downton Abbey (2010-2015) - mixed feelings about it, but enjoyed it, put it lower
36= Band of Brothers (2001) - haven't seen
38 The Handmaid's Tale (2017-) - no interest
39 The Office (US) (2005-2013) - see the British version, although this was more watchable because Steve Carroll bears no resemblance to evil gaslighting boss, while Ricky Gervais weirdly did.
40 Borgen (2010-2022) - never heard of
41 Schitt's Creek (2015-2020) - Embarrassment humor squicks me, also I found the characters grating.
42 Peep Show (2003-2015) - never heard of
43 Money Heist (2017-2021) - overrated, got tired of it after the first eight episodes
44 Community (2009-2015) - not as squicky as most, still didn't work for me.
45 The Good Fight (2017-) - too preachy and over the top with the satire
46 Homeland (2011-2020) - didn't like
47 Grey's Anatomy (2005-) - I wouldn't put it on a best list, but I do enjoy it. But it's been weak the last four seasons...or so. Went on too long, 18 and counting.
48 Inside No 9 (2014-) haven't heard of
49 The Bureau (2015-)- haven't heard of
50 Halt and Catch Fire (2014-2017) - Loved. Would rank this one much much higher
51 Small Axe (2020) - couldn't get into, don't remember well at all
52 This is England 86, 88 and 90 (2010-2015)- haven't heard of
53 Call My Agent! (2015-2020) - couldn't get into
54 Happy Valley (2014-) - haven't heard of
55 The Shield (2002-2008) - never watched
56 The Big Bang Theory (2007-2019) - it's okay, not quite as squicky as most. Some decent episodes here and there.
57 The Young Pope (2016) - never watched
58 Dark (2017-2020) - tried, couldn't get into, subject matter turned me off
59 The Underground Railroad (2021) - haven't seen
60 House of Cards (2013-2018) - haven't seen
61 Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005-2008) - Loved
62= The Good Place (2016-2020)- only sitcom that wasn't squicky, it tends to skew towards intellectual humor over embarrassment humor (see Community and Big Bang Theory)
62= Pose (2018-2021) - haven't seen
64 Detectorists (2014-2017) - haven't heard of
65 Orange is the New Black (2013-2019) - overrated, I liked the first season
66 Mare of Easttown (2021) - Loved, would put higher on this list
67 RuPaul's Drag Race (2009-) - haven't seen
68 Stranger Things (2016-) - first season was great, next two..meh
69 24 (2001-2010) - no. just. no.
70 Battlestar Galactica (2004-2009) - much much higher on this list
71 Enlightened (2011-2013) - haven't seen
72 Gilmore Girls (2000-2007) - higher on the list
73 Planet Earth (2006)- okay, a little preachy
74 Utopia (2013-2014) - haven't seen
75 Babylon Berlin (2017-) - haven't seen
76 Rick and Morty (2013-) - haven't seen
77 American Crime Story (2016-) - haven't seen
78 The Killing (Denmark) (2007-2012) - haven't seen
79 Mindhunter (2017-2019) - haven't seen
80 House (2004-2012) - I'd put it above Grey's but it's okay.
81 OJ: Made in America (2016) - haven't seen
82 Big Little Lies (2017-2019) - overrated. I liked it, but found it a bit on the preachy side.
83 Insecure (2016-2021) - haven't seen
84= Normal People (2020) - haven't seen, couldn't get through first episode
84= Narcos (2015-2017) - haven't seen
86 How I Met Your Mother (2005-2014) - overrated. It's okay, I guess. But I found it uneven. Also, embarrassment humor squicks me.
87 The Comeback (2005-2014) - haven't seen
88 The OA (2016-2019) - haven't seen
89 Dexter (2006-2013) - up to the last two seasons...and higher on the list
90 It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2005-) - haven't seen, embarrassment humor squicks me
91 Westworld (2016-) - eh, I liked the first season, but I think its overrated.
92 Show Me a Hero (2015) - haven't seen
93 Treme (2010-2013) - haven't seen
94 Louie (2010-2015) - okay, but embarrassment humor squicks me
95 Luther (2010-2019)- haven't seen
96 Catastrophe (2015-2019)- haven't seen
97 Hannibal (2013-2015) - haven't seen
98 Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (2015-2019) - innovative, interesting, and not quite that bad in the embarrassment humor bit, but still squicky
99 Steven Universe (2013-2020) - Okay. I got bored after a bit though...maybe this works better if you have small children?
100 The Queen's Gambit (2020) - loved, would put higher on the list.
What's missing?
I'll come back and ponder another time.
3. SmartBitches.com (the book reviewing/romance reviewing site) loves things, I don't. OR so I've noticed. They love Thomas Hardy, I can't read Thomas Hardy. He annoys me. I want to smack him. Also they love contemporary queer romance novels or contemporary romance period. It annoys me. I find the characters annoyingly cliche. In fact I wrote my own in protest.
And apparently Bec McMaster is the thing? I can't read her.
I've noticed something the better you market something - the more likely folks will want it. And positive marketing and negative marketing work wonders.
That said, I've bought a lot of cheap romance novels and other books because of Smart Bitches...I will admit to that. I just grabbed a contemporary romance that is basically Pride and Prejudice in a flower shop for free. Also grabbed one rec'd by Cat Sebastian via Twitter that was on sale.
Hear an Eye-Witness Account of Clapton's Full-Tilt Racist Rant in 1976
In the new episode of Rolling Stone Music Now, senior writer David Browne discusses his recent blockbuster feature on Eric Clapton, which delved into the rock icon’s embrace of COVID-19 vaccine skepticism and his anti-immigration onstage rant in the Seventies — which was, by Clapton’s own description, “full-tilt racist.”
Eric Clapton isn't just spouting anti-vaccine nonsense, he's bankrolling it
In the past, Clapton has been reluctant to voice his political views. As he told Rolling Stone in 1968, “What I’m doing now is just my way of thinking, but if it gets into a paper somewhere, people will say that what I’m saying is the way they ought to think. Which is wrong, because I’m only a musician. If they dig my music, that’s great, but they don’t have to know what’s going on in my head.”
But in recent months Clapton has himself become a leading vaccine skeptic, part of a community that Dr. Anthony Fauci has said is “part of the problem — because you’re allowing yourself to be a vehicle for the virus to be spreading to someone else.” And while never explicitly condemning the lockdown, he’s said “live music might never recover” and joined Van Morrison for three songs that amount to lockdown protest anthems. By way of a friend’s social media account, he’s also detailed what he called his “disastrous” experience after receiving two AstraZeneca shots (“propaganda said the vaccine was safe for everyone,” he wrote).
I'm kind of rooting for these folks to die of COVID. I wish they'd die instead of the nice musicians. Can we trade David Bowie for Clapton? I liked Bowie better as a musician. I did. Frankly I was never a huge fan of Clapton. Music critic boyfriends were, I was not. My brother wasn't either.
Apparently...he did some concerts against the vaccine with Van Morrison. Et Tu, Van? Sigh. First Brown Sugar by the Rolling Stones, now Eric Clapton. Frigging hell, Information Age. I want to go back to being blessedly ignorant, naive and idealistic.
Mother: I remember when you were idealistic...I worry for your niece. All idealists become cynical it seems..
ME: Law school beat it out of me, and volunteer work. They got ahead of the internet, then New York City, unemployment, and the information age drove it home. People suck. I'm giving money to cats.
Oh well at least, I wasn't a fan of Clapton's work. But I did like Morrison. They can't take Moondance from me! (Oh, wait, I can always jump over to the Clearance Clearwater Revivals - Bad Moon Rising.) I don't care about Brown Sugar - didn't like that song to begin with, it's an earworm. Kind of like We Didn't Start the Fire.
2. The 100 Greatest TV Series of the 21st Century (Uhm, isn't it a bit early to do this list? I'd wait at least fifty years, granted you might be dead but who cares.)
Ah they have a disclaimer that addresses my annoyance: "As ever, this list is designed not as an end in itself but merely as a starting point for discovery, discussion and debate. Tell us what you think – and what you think is missing – using the hashtag #TVOfTheCentury on BBC Culture's social channels. We hope you are as inspired and exhilarated by reading the results as we are – as collectively, they not only offer a celebration of TV itself, but a view of the modern era like few others. "
So this is clearly the BBC Cultural Critic's view of the best of the century. They do admit our mileage may vary. It does. And it doesn't.
It's notably not a cult list - everything on it is "mainstream" critical darlings, well known, and written about by mainstream critics. I don't see much cult in there. So if you like Asian television series, Supernatural Teen stuff or are into off-beat or cult stuff, you probably won't find your fav's in there. There are a few exceptions but not many. And no, Breaking Bad is NOT a cult series - it's a critical darling and very mainstream. Sorry.
1. The Wire (2002-2008) - agreed
2 Mad Men (2007-2015) - agreed, but not number 2, seriously?
3 Breaking Bad (2008-2013) - I'd rank higher than Mad Men.
4 Fleabag (2016-2019) - Could not get through, bleach. Embarrassment humor squicks me.
5 Game of Thrones (2011-2019) - Flawed. I'd have ranked lower.
6 I May Destroy You (2020) - could not get through, rape themes, and embarrassment humor - squicks me.
7 The Leftovers (2014-2017) - Bored, now.
8 The Americans (2013-2018) - rape, violence, gave up.
9 The Office (UK) (2001-2003) - Embarrassment humor squicks me, also it reminded me too much of the boss who gaslit me, particularly the Brit version.
10 Succession (2018-) - haven't seen
11 BoJack Horseman (2014-2020) - nope. Don't like the art. Don't find it funny. Embarrassment humor squicks me.
12 Six Feet Under (2001-2005) - Overrated, and gave up after the second or third season
13 Twin Peaks: The Return (2017) - haven't seen, don't want to
14 Atlanta (2016-) - tried, gave up.
15 Chernobyl (2019) - haven't seen, don't want to.
16 The Crown (2016-) Loved the seasons up to the last one, haven't made it through the last one yet.
17 30 Rock (2006-2013) - Embarrassment humor squicks me.
18 Deadwood (2004-2006) - Too violent and gory, gave up
19 Lost (2004-2010) - Didn't like the last season
20 The Thick of It (2005-2012) - haven't seen or heard of
21 Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000-) - not to my taste
22 Black Mirror (2011-) - not interested in
23 Better Call Saul (2015-2022) - not to my taste
24 Veep (2012-2019) - Embarrassment humor squicks me
25 Sherlock (2010-2017) - loved up until the last season
26 Watchmen (2019) - haven't seen, don't really want to
27 Line of Duty (2012-2021) - haven't seen
28 Friday Night Lights (2006-2011) - Loved, would put higher on this list, although last three seasons were uneven
29 Parks and Recreation (2009-2015)- Embarrassment humor squicks me
30 Girls (2012-2017) - Embarrassment humor squicks me, and this annoyed me because I knew people like this and wanted to smack them in reality
31 True Detective (2014-2019) - first season was good
32 Arrested Development (2003-2019) - okay, more absurdist than embarrassment
33 The Good Wife (2009-2016) - loved, weak first two seasons, would put much higher on this list
34 The Bridge (2011-2018) - haven't seen
35 Fargo (2014-) - first two seasons were good
36= Downton Abbey (2010-2015) - mixed feelings about it, but enjoyed it, put it lower
36= Band of Brothers (2001) - haven't seen
38 The Handmaid's Tale (2017-) - no interest
39 The Office (US) (2005-2013) - see the British version, although this was more watchable because Steve Carroll bears no resemblance to evil gaslighting boss, while Ricky Gervais weirdly did.
40 Borgen (2010-2022) - never heard of
41 Schitt's Creek (2015-2020) - Embarrassment humor squicks me, also I found the characters grating.
42 Peep Show (2003-2015) - never heard of
43 Money Heist (2017-2021) - overrated, got tired of it after the first eight episodes
44 Community (2009-2015) - not as squicky as most, still didn't work for me.
45 The Good Fight (2017-) - too preachy and over the top with the satire
46 Homeland (2011-2020) - didn't like
47 Grey's Anatomy (2005-) - I wouldn't put it on a best list, but I do enjoy it. But it's been weak the last four seasons...or so. Went on too long, 18 and counting.
48 Inside No 9 (2014-) haven't heard of
49 The Bureau (2015-)- haven't heard of
50 Halt and Catch Fire (2014-2017) - Loved. Would rank this one much much higher
51 Small Axe (2020) - couldn't get into, don't remember well at all
52 This is England 86, 88 and 90 (2010-2015)- haven't heard of
53 Call My Agent! (2015-2020) - couldn't get into
54 Happy Valley (2014-) - haven't heard of
55 The Shield (2002-2008) - never watched
56 The Big Bang Theory (2007-2019) - it's okay, not quite as squicky as most. Some decent episodes here and there.
57 The Young Pope (2016) - never watched
58 Dark (2017-2020) - tried, couldn't get into, subject matter turned me off
59 The Underground Railroad (2021) - haven't seen
60 House of Cards (2013-2018) - haven't seen
61 Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005-2008) - Loved
62= The Good Place (2016-2020)- only sitcom that wasn't squicky, it tends to skew towards intellectual humor over embarrassment humor (see Community and Big Bang Theory)
62= Pose (2018-2021) - haven't seen
64 Detectorists (2014-2017) - haven't heard of
65 Orange is the New Black (2013-2019) - overrated, I liked the first season
66 Mare of Easttown (2021) - Loved, would put higher on this list
67 RuPaul's Drag Race (2009-) - haven't seen
68 Stranger Things (2016-) - first season was great, next two..meh
69 24 (2001-2010) - no. just. no.
70 Battlestar Galactica (2004-2009) - much much higher on this list
71 Enlightened (2011-2013) - haven't seen
72 Gilmore Girls (2000-2007) - higher on the list
73 Planet Earth (2006)- okay, a little preachy
74 Utopia (2013-2014) - haven't seen
75 Babylon Berlin (2017-) - haven't seen
76 Rick and Morty (2013-) - haven't seen
77 American Crime Story (2016-) - haven't seen
78 The Killing (Denmark) (2007-2012) - haven't seen
79 Mindhunter (2017-2019) - haven't seen
80 House (2004-2012) - I'd put it above Grey's but it's okay.
81 OJ: Made in America (2016) - haven't seen
82 Big Little Lies (2017-2019) - overrated. I liked it, but found it a bit on the preachy side.
83 Insecure (2016-2021) - haven't seen
84= Normal People (2020) - haven't seen, couldn't get through first episode
84= Narcos (2015-2017) - haven't seen
86 How I Met Your Mother (2005-2014) - overrated. It's okay, I guess. But I found it uneven. Also, embarrassment humor squicks me.
87 The Comeback (2005-2014) - haven't seen
88 The OA (2016-2019) - haven't seen
89 Dexter (2006-2013) - up to the last two seasons...and higher on the list
90 It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2005-) - haven't seen, embarrassment humor squicks me
91 Westworld (2016-) - eh, I liked the first season, but I think its overrated.
92 Show Me a Hero (2015) - haven't seen
93 Treme (2010-2013) - haven't seen
94 Louie (2010-2015) - okay, but embarrassment humor squicks me
95 Luther (2010-2019)- haven't seen
96 Catastrophe (2015-2019)- haven't seen
97 Hannibal (2013-2015) - haven't seen
98 Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (2015-2019) - innovative, interesting, and not quite that bad in the embarrassment humor bit, but still squicky
99 Steven Universe (2013-2020) - Okay. I got bored after a bit though...maybe this works better if you have small children?
100 The Queen's Gambit (2020) - loved, would put higher on the list.
What's missing?
I'll come back and ponder another time.
3. SmartBitches.com (the book reviewing/romance reviewing site) loves things, I don't. OR so I've noticed. They love Thomas Hardy, I can't read Thomas Hardy. He annoys me. I want to smack him. Also they love contemporary queer romance novels or contemporary romance period. It annoys me. I find the characters annoyingly cliche. In fact I wrote my own in protest.
And apparently Bec McMaster is the thing? I can't read her.
I've noticed something the better you market something - the more likely folks will want it. And positive marketing and negative marketing work wonders.
That said, I've bought a lot of cheap romance novels and other books because of Smart Bitches...I will admit to that. I just grabbed a contemporary romance that is basically Pride and Prejudice in a flower shop for free. Also grabbed one rec'd by Cat Sebastian via Twitter that was on sale.
no subject
Date: 2021-10-21 05:40 pm (UTC)*snort* Yeah, pretty sure a "best of literature" written in 1921 would have missed some stuff.
no subject
Date: 2021-10-21 05:45 pm (UTC)They do these stupid lists every ten years. "Oh, the 100 Greatest TV Shows of 21st Century...for the past ten years". I think we have some really bored (somewhat full of themselves) television critic writers out there. LOL!
no subject
Date: 2021-10-27 09:15 am (UTC)There was a superb series about nuclear waste shenanigans in the 80s - "Edge of Darkness" - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090424/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_39 which included the great quote: "To know is to die."