Standards a show has to meet to become your favorite

J

Jaymes_E19

New member
I know people go gaga over Family Guy, Simpsons, etc.

But y'know what? NONE of the above are favorites of mine! Don't get me wrong; I LIKE them, but I don't LOVE them.

For me, here's the criteria a show- ANY show -has to meet to become a favorite of mine:

the show MUST unquestionably last the test of time. Meaning.....I still have to be able to go back, and watch this show later on, when the hype has LOOOONG died down & the dust has settled, and still find it hilarious, and really enjoyable. If I don't, it really didn't have much going for it to begin with.

Family Guy, for instance, is a show I can watch, get a few laughs from..and I can't go back and watch that episode again. I watched a repeat with my girlfriend recently....and was like "oh yeah, here's the scene where they're making fun of this '80s movie..." and I wasn't even stimulated by it.

It just doesn't hold up to the test of time for me; neither does the Simpsons. I can get some nostalgic enjoyment out of the Simpsons, but I can't find it just as funny- if not funnier- every time.


Now, take the Critic: every time I watch this show, I love it even more. VERY good writers for this show...you don't get all the jokes the first time you watch it...you gotta watch it over and over again to pick up on everything; they're VERY subtle...and it's great.

The Critic didn't get any hype, so there's no major hype to live up to, which makes it more enjoyable for me to appreciate.

However, a lot of other shows I love DID have hype, but they're still great later on, including many shows that AREN'T animated, like Family Ties, the Jeffersons, Three's Company, and more.

South Park I still enjoy even after watching it the first time; that holds up, too.

So anyway....what qualifications does a show have to meet to become one of YOUR favorites?
 
1. The show has to be entertaining and compelling, with enduring characters that I find myself caring about.

2. It has to not rely on a bunch of shopworn cliches. Even the standard formulas must have a unique spin to them. Give me something I haven't seen before.

3. It has to be able withstand the test of time, and not rely on a bunch of "hip" pop-culture references and allusions which will quickly date the show.

4. It has to not suck. If a show makes my very rare favorites' list, then I can even excuse the stinker episodes, as long as the bad installments outweigh the good.
 
1) I have to find myself caring about the characters. Sure, I can like a show and not care about the characters in it, but it wont ever come close to being my favorite unless I do.

2) It has to either have far more good installments then bad, or it has to have such a high number of good episodes that I can enjoy the show regradless of the bad ones (For example, The Simpsons).

3) Pretty much every piece of animation has something that dates it. I dont mind pop culture-references so long as they dont overshadow the entire show (The Looney Tunes and The Flintstones both make countless references to the styles of thier day, but they dont come up often enough to hurt themselves. This is one of Family Guys biggest problems).

4) When I think of mature, I think about detailed plots and deep subject matter or sharp satire, which might or might not involve some violence or cursing. An "adult" series that does nothing but curse or show gore for no reason other then because they are "adult" is a pet peeve of mine (I enjoy South Park, as it usually has some strong satire to it, meaning it not one of the brain dead shows I'm talking about. I'm refering more to shows like Drawn Together).

5) It has to be timeless. Of course everyone show has a couple of jokes that just dont work anymore, but I should be able to enjoy the show just as much now as I can ten years from now.
 
I have many Criteria before i watch a show\

1) the Characters must have VA's that match their personallity

2) It must have a good story

3) It has to have some type of Philisophical/ moral sub-text to it be they holy or benin.

4) if not Philisophical it must have a decent amount of storytelling &/or action

5) If its live action it can't have genaric of chessy actors/actresses

6) If its cgi it must be Good quality, can't stand low-budget CGI shows!

7) It must expand my mind or imagination , and get me to think new thoughts that may have crossed my mind before...Preferibly deep ones!
 
I have some

1) the Characters must have VA's that match their personallity(I agree)

2) It must have a good story arcs

3) It has to have Fanservice (sexy and easter eggs)

4) must have a decent amount of storytelling &/or action

5) make me not hate the main character after a while

6) the butt monkey get a banana once in a while
 
  1. Likable characters
  2. Little or no pop culture referances
  3. Re-watchablity factor. I want to be able to watch the series years from now and not thinking "Why did I like this?"
 
1. A set goal, or overall sense of purpose for the series. Just having random adventures for the heck of it doesn't cut it anymore in this day and age when certain shows have shown us this is possible, and even a random guy like me can pen out a series with this in it.
2. No filler episodes, writers should use each episode carefully to expand the plot or characters, not waste them on random pointless adventures that mean nothing to the overall story or to simply waste time.
3. An actual well-written story, with plenty of creative twists and turns throughout the series. Just having a simple, uncreative story of "point A to point B"that's as basic as you can get isn't as impressive.
4. Developing characters who also have their own purpose or goal; no throwaway characters or one-shots.
5.Should go along with number one, but I'll clarify it should have a conclusion ending that doesn't leave plot-points open or go on for ten years trying to milk the series out. Let it end with respect where it should, basically.

Needless to say, I can count the number of shows that fit this criteria on one hand. But despite their few numbers, they're basically the best action animation series out there and I can rewatch them over and over again, so quality over quantity in my book.
 
For me in no particular order.

Well writen and thought out plot.

Interesting characters.

little refernces to other properties.

Well disigned enviorments.
 
In no particular order...even if it has numbers...

1. The show must set itself apart from other shows. It doesn't have to be completely original.
2. Little to no pop culture references.
3. A well-written story, with lots of creativity involved. If it has a certain formula that the story follows, the writing has to keep things fresh.
4. Knows when to let loose.
5. Little to no fan service. ... ...seriously. No more, please. :shrug:
6. If it has a romance, it's either not obvious, or just well-written.
7. If it has a long running plot, it must not ignore any side plots introduce and develop the characters as the series goes on, giving a respectful ending.
8. Rewatchable.
9. Just down-right entertaining.
10. A reason for me to follow it.
11. Fairly likable characters, that are consistent, etc.
12. If it does have action, it has to keep things exciting...if that makes sense.

But, I'd be just fine with just shows that follow half of this criteria. :sweat:
 
I just want to be entertained. I'm not that picky. If a show interests me and gives me a good laugh it's good enough for me. I don't watch enough new cartoons these days to really be sitting there making a list of the criteria that makes a show worthy of my viewership.

Some of you seem to be asking for the moon. No wonder so many people around here are unhappy with today's cartoons. When your shopping list for new cartoons includes stuff like sexy fan service and ongoing plots with absolutely no tangents I can see how there wouldn't be much out there to satisfy you.

No wonder everyone here hates Spongebob. Heaven forbid you're an episodic, silly cartoon going for cheap laughs. :)
 
I think just about all of these are what I want in a show as well. I generally don't like romance, but executed properly it can be interesting. I also haven't witnessed anything fan-service-y in a cartoon, ever; how common is it outside anime?
 
I hold comedy shows to a different standard.. but in general I don't care much for comedy series. The only comedy show I'd consider a favorite is Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide (since it actually did have a developing plot and characters), but it's not a cartoon. I don't really watch TV anymore unless some epic action series catches my eye (and I'm always looking for a new one :sweat:). Not to say if Spongebob or something is playing on a TV I wont watch it (like if I'm stuck watching my younger cousin), but I wont go out of my way to watch it either, is all.

I hate fanservice, but W.I.T.C.H. had an ongoing plot with no tangents and that's only 2 years old. We're bound to get another show like it eventually.
 
1. It must be entertaining.

2. I have to care about the characters, especially the principal characters. If I'm going to follow their exploits/misadventures for an entire series, it certainly helps if they're likable or relateable.

3. Something new and innovative would be preferable, although even shopworn cliches are OK with me, provided they're done well.

4. Good animation isn't necessarily a requirement, but it's certainly a plus.
 
1) Art/animation/character designs should be passable, whether it's simplified or detailed.

2) Premise should be just original enough.

3) The right amount of characters get developed properly.

4) If making commentaries, don't try to make me feel bad if I might disagree.

5) If the humor's random, don't swerve off and deviate into something completely unrelated towards the end of the episode.

6) Come up with original twists when you dig into the bag of re-used cartoon plots.

7) I have to enjoy 90% of the episodes.

8) A minimum of fan-service is acceptable as long as it doesn't interfere with the story.
 
1. Likeable and relatable characters.

2. A good plot with some fresh ideas.

3. Character Development

4. Good acting from the VAs.

5. Something that makes you want to watch it from beginning to end.

6. Timelessness.

7. And last of all, it must be entertaining.
 
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