This topic seems to come up every now and then.

There's a few here who have mentioned from time to time that they cannot stand "Dark, Gritty and Violent" shows. I recall some mentions that when they watch TV, they prefer "fun and entertaining" and a departure from real life.

The darker superhero shows like Arrow and Gotham seem to get mentioned every now and then as being too dark and depressing.

What do you all think? Do you prefer Gritty and Violent shows close to real life or do you try to stay away from that and prefer fun, escapism entertainment?

Some here have said The Walking Dead is too dark and depressing and have dropped it for that reason. Some here have said that Star Trek Discovery is another show that is too dark.

Are some of you sensitive to violence that's why you prefer fun, escapism entertainment instead?

Just my observation, but it seems like the "darker" aren't as popular here as others.

Or do you like both on equal levels? You can vote "Other" for that answer.

I voted "other" as I like balance. I wish Netflix would try to do a little more lighter fair, they tend to be pretty edgy and darker with the stuff I come across

Yup, my thoughts are along this line.

I prefer dark over what often comes across and campy. But we do mix it up. I just happen to prefer dark and real vs. over the top camp often categorized as "light and fun".

Sadly many seem to go in one direction or the other rather than trying to find a good mix.

Same, voted other. It's not really one or the other, depends on the show, my mood, and what's actually good and well recieved.

I like a mix, but I always dislike shows that don't take themselves seriously. Re-watching ST Voyager, the tone and the writing are all over the place. When it's good, it can be really good, but then sometimes they totally whiff it and the viewer is just left shaking their head at the producers' tone-deafness.


And since you mentioned Discovery, the setting lends itself to dark and gritty, but even when Trek has gone dark in the past, it has always kept it's heart and DSC has mostly missed that (Magic to Make the Sanest... is the rare exception). I haven't watched the latest ep yet, and I'm hoping this show turns a corner soon.

And since we're here: The Orville is the best Star Trek series on right now because it's tackled some serious subjects but still has the spark of hope that past Trek has done so well.

I like shows with a lot of depth and fleshed out characters, along with a good story where you have to really focus when you watch the show. My one beef with present day TV is they have forgotten about the 'good' character and have made everyone a 'grey' character or an 'anti-hero.' I think there is room for both, but I think it is leaning too much towards the Anti-Hero with every drama.

I agree with the idea that their are too many anti-heroes on TV. But unfortunately, when a series goes the old school hero route it tends to also go the campy route. It seems like those in charge figure that the core demographic for old school heroes also want the show to fall into the camp category . Sadly, I don't think they're wrong. I know a lot of people older than me that want exactly that in a TV show.

I don't prefer any, I just like what's good.

Another vote here for this.

I voted fun but I can tolerate dark depending on the degree of darkness we are talking about. A show like Dark on Netflix is not exactly a feel good show and more of a mystery but it is not a merciless slog to get through. I can tolerate gore in movies but stuff like torture porn type films I have no interest in watching even when they hit Netflix/Cable allowing me to fast forward past certain scenes (you will not find me on my lazy boy watching a Saw film).

Shows like Godless work for me because the scenes of the bad guys brutally taking out an entire town are balanced out by the actions of the other characters on the show.

Nearly all shows I decide to watch are dark and gritty, but I like some fun stuff now and then.

The really dark stuff wears me out after a while. While I think The Americans is clearly one of the best written and acted shows on television, its darker themes and morality make it less enjoyable for me.

Both.

My favorite shows are 30 Rock, Arrested Development, and Always Sunny. So ... fun.