I Like To Watch - Emily Nussbaum

This was such a fun, inspiring, interesting, and poignant read. I had actually not read any of Emily Nussbaum’s work before and I’m now a huge fan! I, like the author, have also always had a huge penchant for Buffy the Vampire Slayer, one of the best TV shows that has ever aired on TV. I think I’m actually going to spend the summer watching reruns now after reading this book!

I Like To Watch is a compilation of some of the Pulitzer Prize winning TV critic’s essays and profiles. There is one on Buffy, another on Jenji Kohan, another on Kenya Barris and black-ish. You will find essays on The Good Wife, Scandal, Girls, as well as Sex and the City, Tina Fey, and content on the history of the TV series. There is also a sprawling, poignant, and interesting essay on #MeToo which questions the author’s, as well as our own, personal involvement and actions. All of these topics are covered in the book, and more.

I personally loved reading Emily Nussbaum’s thoughts on some of my favorite shows, and she also opened my eyes to shows that hadn’t been on my radar, or that I had never given a chance. I also had a good chuckle on the whole “intellectuals” don’t watch TV thing - took me straight back to university where I tried so hard to explain the brilliance of Buffy to some of my friends who couldn’t understand why I would be watching it (luckily I had others who had no qualms about watching TV with me AND debating poetry and literature). I love how Emily Nussbaum writes: she’s funny and honest, sharp and engaging, and has me wanting to read more.

I don’t think you have to be a proven fan of the critic to enjoy this essay collection - it’s great for just about anyone who loves TV I think!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy of this book!