I Like to Watch: Arguing My Way Through the TV Revolution

From the original and bold voice of Emily Nussbaum, a Pulitzer Prize-winning culture critic at The New Yorker, comes a stimulating anthology of essays, both new and previously released, that delve into the idea that our identities are shaped by the television we consume. Praised by David Grann, the author of "Killers of the Flower Moon," as an exceptional critic, Nussbaum is celebrated for being intelligent, engaging, humorous, and perceptive. This work has been recognized as one of the best books of the year by various notable publications including NPR and the Chicago Tribune.Since crafting the "Approval Matrix" for New York Magazine in 2004, Nussbaum has championed a novel perspective on television criticism, a journey chronicled in this collection. Featuring two essays published for the first time, it covers her television fixation, starting with "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," the series that sparked a new cerebral pursuit. Her essays dissect themes such as the emergence of complex female characters, fan influences on beloved series, and the chaotic depiction of sexual violence on screen. Additionally, she ponders the peculiar year when humor steered a reality TV persona to the presidency.Providing profiles on TV visionaries like Kenya Barris, Jenji Kohan, and Ryan Murphy, the book also revisits the enduring impacts of Norman Lear and Joan Rivers. Another significant essay addresses the conundrum of admiring art made by flawed creators, penned during the #MeToo movement. This collection is more than reviews; it argues for dismantling cultural elitism surrounding television, asserting its evolving significance. Nussbaum recounts her journey over fifteen years toward cultivating a new criticism style that eschews the hierarchical valuation of culture. "I Like to Watch" captures her endeavor to redefine 'prestige television,' advocating for a broader recognition of artistic endeavors that celebrate diverse forms of beauty and intricacy.