Republicans Love 'Breeder' Shows, Democrats Love Mad Men, Says New TV Study
Need further proof that the massive red blob between New York and Los Angeles controls the country? Take a look at the latest study from leading media-research company Experian Simmons, which has broken television popularity down to Republicans and Democrats. (Don't worry: Political persuasion aside, you're still a douche if you watch The Office.) Click ahead to find out the (not) shocking results.
As it turns out, popular shows are watched by Republicans! The Amazing Race, Modern Family, American Idol, Dancing with the Stars and The Big Bang Theory, among other Nielsen thoroughbreds, have a larger number of Republican fans than Democrat ones. The reason for this? Basically that Republicans like rooting for a winner. (No wonder so many Yankees fans are also Republicans.)
On the flipside, "critically acclaimed" series like Mad Men, Dexter, 30 Rock, Friday Night Lights and Parks & Recreation are watched by Democrats. So, the losers. Of course the fact that Democrats might consider themselves "too cool for school" is only half the issue, according to John Fetto, senior marketing manager for Experian Simmons.
"The big shows with mass appeal tend to have above-average scores from Democrats and Republicans but with higher concentrations of Republicans. Looking at the Democrats side, I don't mean to make light of it, but they seem to like shows about damaged people. Those are the kind of shows Republicans just stay away from."
Ah-ha! So are Democrats the smart ones or does their self-loathing just speak to another character flaw?
As for Republicans, it seems that they also like shows chock-a-block with children, specifically when it comes to TLC.
"Based on Experian's data from last spring, TLC's audience isn't any more Republican than most other cable networks: But the channel gradually has been adding more heartland-friendly titles one would expect conservatives to appreciate. In addition to Sarah Palin's Alaska, there are several "breeder" titles like 18 Kids & Counting. The network also just ordered a limited series, Homecoming, showing surprise military-family reunions."
So, I know what you're thinking: What does this all prove? Not a whole lot that you didn't know already, other than that a reboot of Eight is Enough, co-starring Jon Hamm and Sarah Palin, would probably be the highest rated television series of all-time.
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Comments
Really? Republicans like Modern Family? They're pretty dysfunctional, and there are (gasp!) gays.
haha, figure Demos would watch shows with born losers on them. haha, while Reps are watching things about familys and lives and how they shape. Not sorry for myself being a Rep. Was a Demo until I was on a buissnes trip to China and that following year went to Russia. The Demos are acting a lot like the commies and the Socialits. Sorry to say, go and find out for your self, not going back to being a Demo!
"Like rooting for a winner." You forgot to say, *love* rooting for a cheater. (see: Hangin' with the Chads.)
I respect the original topic you chose, but you could've written this without making it obvious that you are a Republican. Oh well. Glasses up to our world's imminent nuclear collapse - cheers.
Don't forget, Republicans had Two and a Half Men on their list. Makes sense! http://www.movieline.com/2010/11/this-just-in-austrias-incest-monster-loves-two-and-a-half-men.php
Ha, wow! Apologies Emgee, but I'm actually not a Republican. How about just a frustrated Democrat/Yankee hater?
Ah!!! Well then, I stand happily corrected. And now we can hang out. =)
I'm surprised by Republicans liking Modern Family and Big Bang Theory. MF not only has gays, but an immigrant as well! Maybe they enjoy watching MF while fantasizing about putting Vergara and the gay guys in work camps along the border. R's liking Big Bang is far more difficult to explain since it's basically a show about four agnostic scientists (two things R's hate, agnostics and scientists) and a hot blond chick. I guess Kaley Cuoco is a massive draw with them.
It is nice to know that Democrats are more likely to stay away from cheese like American Idol and DWTS, while tending to go for quality shows instead. Our party leaders are a collection of weak willed asshats, but at least we still have taste!
So "Mad Men" -- about corporate averice, smoking, drinking at the office, and those repressed haircuts -- is a Democrat show? I've been watching through the wrong political filter -- and I smoke unfiltereds!
" Was a Demo until I was on a buissnes trip to China and that following year went to Russia.The Demos are acting a lot like the commies and the Socialits. Sorry to say, go and find out for your self, not going back to being a Demo!"
Few democrats would advocate that we should live in a society like Russia or China. Communism and liberalism are too very different things. Only simple minded morons think they are the same.
Hmm... I wasn't aware that Republicans, such as myself, had anything against immigrants. I was pretty sure it was *illegal* immigrants.
I am about as conservative as they come, and Dexter, Mad Men, and Friday Night Lights are at the top of my list of favorite shows.
By the way, I also enjoy The Event and The Middle.
So much for these lame surveys.
I consider myself a bit right of center, but not too much... I guess that's why I can still love Mad Men. As for Friday Night Lights, the first half dozen or so episodes were reasonably good, but then it fell into the very predictable plot lines of the "dysfunctional" shows - all the good characters become bad and all the bad characters find redemption, at least until the next time everyone switches.
All this proves is that Republicans watch more tv. I conclude that they are lazy, stupid, and more likely to be overweight because of this fact.
Republicans are less likely to know how to navigate their cable menu seeing as they only watch like 3 channels.