An adverter-wooing study commissioned by Comedy Central — so, at least a little skepticism is allowed here — says that more than 20 percent of TDS and Colbert Report fans say “people think I’m cool because I watch [those shows],” according to the New York Times. Here’s where I’d make my “then call me Miles Davis” joke, except I’m afraid making a Billy Madison reference will strip me of whatever illusory coolness points I’ve earned by seeing every episode ever of both TDS and The Report.
I’m extremely reluctant to buy the idea that just watching a show (or a movie or whatever) can make you cool. It’s an art, not a science, etc etc, deep down I’m a guidance counselor, etc. But! If there’s any show that could do it, it really is The Daily Show: What’s cooler than being smart and funny? (Please say “nothing.” This is my only chance. I am terrible at sports.) It’s not just a matter of watching it, of course, but also of internalizing and appropriating some of its attitudes — acting a little like Jon Stewart is cool. Even awesome shows like The Office wouldn’t have the same effect; as much as I love Jim and Pam, I’d be hard pressed to call them “cool.”
Sort this one out with me, PopWatchers: Are there shows that make you cool? Does watching Lost improve your social standing, or shall we just sit on the couch, eat cookie dough, watch America’s Funniest Home Videos, and talk about how we didn’t want to go to the prom anyway, so who cares?
No, watching any movie or t.v. show, or listening to any band or singer does NOT make you cool. Being part of the creative process that makes a t.v. show or movie, music or art of any kind makes you cool.
That generally isn’t why most people watch shows-I could really care less what other people think of the shows on my Tivo. I watch The Daily Show because I can’t stand the news on CNN, FOX or MSNBC. The Daily Show makes fun of all of them. I get my news on the Internet and The Daily Show-and I’m not ashamed.
Watching the Daily Show does not make me cool. It keeps me sane.
I think it depends on the person. If I’m talking to someone and I mention I love the Daily Show and that person also loves the Daily Show, then we share that in common and that person probably thinks I’m cooler because we both like the same thing. But if the person has never heard of the Daily Show, well then probably not.
Maybe if you’re truly cool, you don’t need to be told you’re cool.
Well, sure you do.
How else would you know?
A Simpsons reference? Is that still cool? Or am I cool for noticing? Or am I not cool for even commenting? I’m so confused…
So hip that it’s…..cool?
Watching the Daily Show and most any other show with pop culture currency makes a person cool, absolutely. What’s cool is being “in the know.” A person with awareness of certain shows has a higher cool factor than a person living under a rock. That’s because our TV shows reflect ongoing cultural debates. Awareness of those shows enables a person to be conversant about timely social (and perhaps political) topics and trends. I’m not sure if it matters what shows a person watches so much as that they’re watching something, anything, and have opinions. As a person who has just recently started watching more TV/movies, I’m finding that I have a lot more to talk about with people I meet and my awareness makes me more attractive
Watching Arrested Development will make you the coolest person alive
they are fine shows, but i think it’s more a function that Stewart and Colbert followers are right on the border of being smarmy and smug, so it follows that in answering a poll q like that, the answer would be a smug assumption that others think they are as cool as they see themselves
I’m not sure that watching a show can impart coolness upon the viewer. Though there are many shows that can suck your coolness away if you watch them willingly.
I am certain that whatever coolness you may gain by watching a show, you lose tenfold by claiming the coolness. So, even if watching TDS and Colbert makes you cooler, saying that you are cooler because you watch those shows (or any others) makes you a bit of a douche.
Yes, because those shows are funny, and people with a sense of humor are cool. It’s just a fact of life.
You hit the nail on the head, as they say. The people with senses of humor really are the cool people
It ultimately depends on the social group that surrounds you on a daily basis, and that doesn’t only apply to TV shows or movies. Naturally, you’ll gravitate more to people who have similar tastes, and repel from those who’re against what you’re into.
The opposite effect is also true. Mentioning that you’re a fan of some shows gives the impression that you think less of people who don’t like it at all, and that’s especially true with sci-fi shows. Judging from how non-Lost viewers see the fanbase, I don’t doubt some of them might view them as pretentious know-it-alls who don’t know how to have fun in their lives, and wind up thinking of them as less cool than American Idol fans, who have no shame in cheerfully root over starry eyed singers, trying to make their dreams come true. Or even club/party hoppers compared to hardcore video gamers.
There’s no set bar, but a person’s biases/preferences will always deem one show/movie/hobby as superior over the other.
I don’t think it makes you cool or uncool, but I do think it’s a litmus test as to whether you will have anything in common with a person. For example, if I meet someone who says they can’t stand Lost or Battlestar Galactica and think the shows are stupid, I probably won’t really mesh with them. I’ll search for other things in common, but really, there’s a certain sensibility along with your tv watching habits. If you like certain things, it’s a reflection on you. Not everything fits into that mold, of course. I have guilty pleasure shows that would probably surprise some people. But for the most part, I like certain shows because they tap into my interests and inquisitiveness and sense of humor and excitement about the world around me.
If you think you’re “cool” because you watch a TV show and get your “news” spoonfed to you from the perspective of a pessimistic, diminutive comedian, then you’re completely beyond being “cool”. You’re just sad.
Sorry, jack – you’re not cool.
I’m not sure if watching a TV show can make you cool…but certain TV shows can make you decidedly UNcool. The Moment of Truth comes to mind off the bat. The Kardashians too…
Here are my sources of news
-The Daily Show
-The Colbert Report (kinda)
-Yahoo, MSN…whatever (mostly squishy news)
-This website (kinda)