Twilight Zone
Thursday, November 19, 2009
I'm going to go out a limb here. I do not mean to offend. I only seek to understand.
I do not get the Twilight obsession. At ALL.
I feel like I am the only person who hasn't read these books. (And I'll tell you right now, I will never read them.) But even if I had, I think I can safely say I would not be lining up outside of a theater at midnight tonight. I'm confident in saying this, simply because I've never been that into something in my entire life.
Well, actually... I loved New Kids on the Block. I collected their albums, posters, t-shirts, earrings, magazines. I even had NKOTB bed sheets. Among friends, I claimed Joey McIntyre as my husband for games of "school" and "house." My mom and aunt took my cousins and me to a concert and I screamed my head off for two hours. I was obsessed.
But I was also eight.
On the Today Show this morning, I watched as women fell all over themselves, screaming, jumping, drooling, panting, and nearly passing out at the sight of a Twilight actor (I couldn't even tell you which one) outside at Rockefeller Plaza. I'd love to tell you that these were tween girls, and some of them were. But there were grown women, too. Adults.
And I'm sorry, but I just don't get it.
What is the big deal? Why are people so crazy and obsessed with these books, these movies, these characters? People talk about them like they are real. From an outsider's perspective, I have to admit that it's a little disturbing.
I see t-shirts, I see online "badges," I see quizzes. Are you Team Edward? Or Team Jacob?
Personally, I'm Team WHO THE HELL CARES.
For those who got sucked into the books and enjoyed them, great. I would never fault anybody for that. Lord knows I've read (and liked!) some crappy books in my lifetime.
It's just the other stuff... the extras, the insanity that I just can't comprehend.
So here I am, going against the grain. At midnight tonight, I'll be sleeping soundly in my bed. This weekend, I won't be anywhere near a movie theater.
And I'm totally OK with that.
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40 comments:
I'm not obsessed with the Twilight saga either, however, I did at least read the first book before calling it "crappy", as you have.
I'm honestly not trying to be snarky, but it's really not fair to the book or the people who like it for you to say that you'll NEVER read it and then compare it to "crappy" books that you've read.
I'm the same age as you are, and have to admit that I HAVE gotten so into something as to wait in line at midnight to watch a movie or buy a book (The Harry Potter series if you're interested). Now, admittedly, I'm not screaming and jumping up and down over the actors, but I have been excited and giddy at that moment when the movie starts or when you crack open a new book for the first time.
Obviously we all have the right to like and dislike what ever we choose, I'm just suggesting you don't pass quite as much judgement on something you haven't at least TRIED to read.
:)
I've read the books. I like vampire stories (dating back to the first time I read Interview with a Vampire). I find it interesting how people portray these fictitious characters and how each author decides do to something a little different with them. I'll admit that it's easy to get caught up with the story line of Twilight and the whole "head over heels" love story. It's easy to get caught up in any book in a "I don't want to put it down because I want to know what happens next." kind of way.
But it's fiction, people! This stuff doesn't happen in real life!! The actors in Twilight aren't the people who are in the books! ...so yeah, I don't get the obsession. I really don't get it.
I, too, will be at home sleeping tonight instead of standing in line. And if I want to watch the movie I might rent it out of the RedBox for $1. :)
I'd also like to point out that it's really weird that two "Mrs B" people posted at the same time with such different statements. Crazy. I had to look twice because I thought to myself "That's not my picture..."
:)
You mean you can't see yourself cutting your neck open and begging for an actor to suck your blood or bite you??? Can't think why!
Yes, the books are silly. Yes, Bella, the protagonist is a weak representation of the modern day female. Yes, it is a bit overboard.
However, kids today do not read. Never. And why would they with all the television and video games available to them.
I've seen 17 year old kids that have never read a book in their entire life pick up Twilight and read it in a day or two. That is a huge accomplishment for those kids. Then a lot of times once they finish Twilight they go on to read something more challenging.
So, if this craze is going to get more young people to read then I say...Bring on the t-shirts, backpags, midnight marathons, etc.
Mrs. B (#1) - I'm sorry if you're offended by my comments. Really. But first, I think you should know that I *have* picked up a Twilight book before. I've read excerpts. And it's SO NOT MY THING. It's not as if I know nothing about the books and decided to never read them. For the record, I have not (and will not, unless it's with my children) ever read Harry Potter, either. Again, not my thing.
As for calling Twilight "crappy"--I'm talking in a quality writing sense. I have friends who have loved reading the Twilight series, but even they admit that the writing is shitty, and the stories are ridiculous. Unlike Harry Potter (which I understand are really well written), I haven't heard anyone praising Twilight books for their award winning writing. So when I compare them to "crappy" books I've read, I'm talking in that sense.
I actually think it is kind of scary how grown women are so obsessed with these characters. I get loving the books because people love books but the obsession with the actors and pickig teams is just weird. My mother in law is going to the midnight show with her 16 year old daughter tonight and she is probably more excited than her teenager.
I've never read the books and probably won't. I'm not into vampire stories or teen love stories about vampires and werewolves. Not my thing.
It is one thug to really like a book series. It is another to be 50 years old and daydreaming about a 23 year old guy. If a 50 year old man was freaking out over a 23 year old girl, it would not be cute and trendy. That is what disturbs me the most.
Mrs. B (#2) - Again, I'm not faulting people for enjoying the books. It's the over-the-top people who are literally obsessed that I take issue with. I think you understood that, but I'm just clarifying. :)
Anonymous - I totally agree with you. But you're talking kids, and I'm talking adults. I'd expect teenage girls to go gaga over the characters and actors. Adults? Not so much. For kids, I agree that it's all about getting them reading--no matter what they read. When I was young, I read Babysitter's Club, R.L. Stine, Sweet Valley High, etc. None of these are considered great literary works. But hey, reading is reading.
ha..I have not gotten into Twilight either but I too was SO into NKOTB--we must be around the same age!
But then, I wouldn't get in line for any movie to watch at midnight!
I have to admit to actually liking the books and the movie - and I will go see it this weekend but NOT at midnight tonight!
At 28 years old, im leaving that for the younger ones!
p.s. you should give Harry a try - I love them too!
I'm totally with you here. I hate these crazes. And to Mrs B (1) with all due respect we pass judgement on all sorts of things all the time, without knowing about them first hand. We judge people and we judge scenarios. We make a judgment not to eat something that we don't think we'd like, we make choices not to read books, not to go on vacation to places don't appeal to us, all without trying these things out. Not all judgment is a bad thing.
So many amazing books have been written and in our short lives we can read so few. So if someone choses not to read Harry Potter or Twilight because he/she thinks - from hearing others talk about them or from general exposure - that they aren't well written/interesting, there's nothing wrong with that. We can't realistically try everything before casting a judgment.
I hate HP and have read 3 of the books (I had to teach them, shame of shames). I have no intention to pick up Twilight. None whatsoever. I lament the fact that today we are passionate about American Idol and bad fiction. I hate the dumming down of everything. I hate the lack of creativity in mainstream literature and television. I hate the fact that we hardly react to military deaths or to things that really matter - we don't protest about those at midnight but we see fit to stand in line for a glimpse of some gormless actor. I'm sorry but if that makes me a snob, so be it.
The debate is certainly interesting though.
Heather, you are on the money! I too, can't stand it! I haven't read the books or even watched the movie. My (15) daughter has now granted she was 12 or 13 when she started reading them and the books. SHE LOVED THEM. So when the movie came out last year my husband (not me) took her to the 12 am showing and they walked out half way through saying the movie was awful. She really does not have any desire to see any of the films. Now my SIL on the other hand is 46 YES 46 PEOPLE, and she is one of those obsessed crazed fans, and in my opinion it's creepy.
I personally think its strange for grown up adults to go crazy over a bunch of teenagers....... that is just my opinion though!
I tried to read Harry Potter but just couldn't get into it. I didn't even make it through the first book. Then I tried to watch the first movie, and I can't remember if I actually watched the whole thing, or if I fell asleep (I think I fell asleep, though).
And Vanessa--AMEN, sister. I was just saying in an e-mail to a friend that I think it's sad there are people who know every detail about these fictional characters' "lives," but probably could not name the Secretary of Defense, or point out Afghanistan on a map. There are people who will wait in line for hours to get into this movie, but could not be bothered to take 10 minutes to stand in line to vote on Election Day. (And before someone jumps down my throat about this, I'm saying SOME people who are into Twilight. Not ALL people.) I just wish that the passion people have for these books and movies could transfer to something that actually serves a purpose.
It's just all very interesting!
The Twilight books are laughable. I can't believe such mediocre writing got so far. I'm sure Hollywood plays a huge role in that.
I was pretty cuckoo for lord of the rings in high school. I read all 3 books, saw the first one 30 times, lost count on the other ones, read the books again. But it's lord of the fucking rings, and I wasn't going to ogle a teenybopper, I was going because I was in love with the story and imagery.
Twilight is such fail.
I will start this out by stating that I teach high school English. Kids today DO.NOT.READ. It is pulling teeth to get them to do reading homework or to read on their own.
So I do think that one of the really great things that this series has done, along with the HP series, is to teach kids that it is OKAY to pick up a HUGE book and read it. And no, the writing is NOT Fitzgerald and the content is NOT To Kill a Mockingbird. BUT, I am NOT going to complain if it gets kids interested in something OTHER than the television.
BUT, I do find the books entertaining and thought the movie kind of sucked. And, although I do not think of myself as Twilight-obsessed and think that Bella is a terrible female protagonist who relies on a man to make her happy (a terrible lesson for young women), I consider myself "Team Edward" and will be taking my stepdaughters to see the movie next week.
I don't get the Twilight saga either. I will admit that I read the books after listening to all of my fellow coworkers talk about it. But I was not impressed. Some of my girlfriends dragged me to the movie and I was intrigued. I may or may not see the second movie, but I do know that I don't know the names of the actors and I don't care!!!
I don't get the Twilight saga either. I will admit that I read the books after listening to all of my fellow coworkers talk about it. But I was not impressed. Some of my girlfriends dragged me to the movie and I was intrigued. I may or may not see the second movie, but I do know that I don't know the names of the actors and I don't care!!!
I admit i read the books and got totally sucked in. They are, however, pure and complete crap in terms of grammar. I have NO idea how they made it past her editors. All she needed to do was pick up a thesaurus. How many times can one purse their lips or murmur.
I refuse to join the mania, as i think grown women doing those things you said is nothing short of pathetic. I will be taking my 11 year old cousin to see the movie on Saturday and she is so freaking excited!
I have to say i've never been one to get caught up in mania like this. I'm also not easily star struck.
I read the first one thinking they would be good (and 4 books the read on a list of books that I didn't feel like reading) and thought the first one was horrible. Bad writing. Bad story-line. I just didn't get how people were so sucked into the books. Now, I absolutely love Harry Potter. The books are SO good.
I have read all of the books and am looking forward to seeing the movie tomorrow, but I am not obsessed. I think that people always like a good romance or fairy tale.
i initially didn't understand all the twilight hype, until i saw the movie and read all 4 of the books last summer. i really enjoyed the movie and the books. on the other hand, you won't see me making a fool of myself drooling over the 20 year old male stars.
I refuse to get involved in the Twilight hysteria mostly because ALL of my tenny bopper students are OBSESSED with it...and I need to feel like an adult somehow. I don't understand it either, but I have been there done that (for me it was Harry Potter) and realize that they can have their fun. I listen while at school, but I just can't read them....I associate Twilight with my Junior highschoolers. Not my style!
You just need to see the movie woman. That alone will definitely make you understand. I'm sure it won't result in anything close to an obsession, but the chemistry between Edward and Bella is just plain hot... and so is Edward. Red Box it! (I've never read the books or anything, but I did love the movie).
Man, I'm SO with you. I just don't get it at all...it's ridiculous!
Personally, reading fiction is my escape. I was honestly a little surprised to see how annoyed you really are about this. I understand you are not attacking anyone, just stating your opinion but it still surprised me the way it came out. You are a passionate person so I am sure you can understand the draw. Everyone is just passionate about different things. Sure reading Twilight is not as helpful to the world as giving bottled water to a homeless person on the corner, but there is no rule that states choosing to go to a midnight showing means you cannot also put your energy into something productive in other areas of your life.
I went to the midnight showing last night, knowing I would have to wait in line, deal with screaming teenagers, and be tired today. I also appreciate and I am thankful that I am a person on this planet that was allowed to make such a choice. Again, everyone has different things. I don't spend one of my night's every year obsessed with superbowl and football. I choose to do something else.
The "craze" has made Twilight an easy target, funny how there always has to be one (an easy target that is). If I didn't read the books before the movies came out, I may be a bit frustrated too.
I have to agree with Vanessa, We all pass judgment on things that we don’t necessarily “know first hand”. Like this situation of assuming the folks that are seen on TV (that are “obsessed” with Twilight) don’t also go home and do what they can for others. If you don’t see news broadcast of a protest for military deaths, does that mean it didn’t happen, or that the news didn’t cover it? My two cents.
I didn't get it either! And Heather, I read this and honestly didn't take it the wrong way. I've read your blog for awhile now and know how excited you get about things and didn't think you were talking down to or judging anyone specifically.
But I have read the Twilight Saga.
At first I didn't want to have anything to do with the series because a 40yr old woman I can't stand at work would come in and chat away about them like I cared. She is one of those obsessed people and I never understood. I passed judgment on her and on the books and swore I'd never read them.
Then my friend Ashley sent me all of the books in pdf form and I read them during down time at work. I knew almost exactly what happened in the series because by the time she had gotten to the final book she needed someone to rant to and I was there, in her words Breaking Dawn = Crazy Town. So she piqued my interest, I totally wanted to go to Crazy Town! but I had to read the other books to get there.
Agreed, the writing quality is in no way shape or form comparable to that of Harry Potter, Bella is weak and whiny and there is a lack of strong character development, but the books were entertaining and kept me turning pages. I personally am a very slow reader. In school I always had issues with getting reading assignments done, but there are certain books that keep me interested and awake, and this series is on that list.
That being said. I enjoyed the Saga. I agree that anything that gets kid reading and excited about literature (even bad literature) is great. Yay reading! Maybe a few curious souls will pick up Bronte after reading Twilight since Wurthering Heights was mentioned so frequently. In that sense this series might become an enabler to other better novels...but then again, that might be a stretch...
I do NOT support tweens and kids cutting themselves so they bleed in front of the actors, in hopes of enticing a "Cullen" to come after them. That's just tragic. These people aren't really real and delusion is a bad thing. So I think the obsession is a bad thing when it leads to self mutilation...yes, very bad.
I also have to admit I'm excited about New Moon. Out of the series it is my favorite book because even though Bella was especially whiny and annoying in it, Jacob was a much more interesting character to me than Edward and this book/movie is predominately about the tribe/reservation he is a part of. (Yeah, I'm "Team Jacob".)
And Deanna, yes, the Twilight movie was AWFUL, if I were that big of a fan as your daughter to go to the midnight showing, I probably would have walked out too.
I'll still go to see New Moon sometime in the next month or so, but Ashley and I are expecting it to be just as awful as Twilight was, except this time with more manjoyment. (I'm still in my early 20s, I can enjoy the view of these actors :P and I totally will enjoy all those men running around topless!)
Oh and Heather, I couldn't get through the first chapter of HP1 the first time I picked the book up. But J.K.Rowling is a fantastic writer and the queen of foreshadowing, so I'd say if you're feeling adventurous give it another try someday.
Katherine--All of your points are good ones, and ones that I agree with.
But I find it interesting that you think, based on this post, that I am not accepting of people's differences. If anything, my post was meant to point out how seemingly EVERYONE is into Twilight. When I posted this, in my mind, *I* was the one who was "different" and "going against the grain." Now that there have been several comments, I know I'm not alone in wondering what the big deal is. But at the same time as you are saying you don't want to be judged for liking Twilight, you are judging me for NOT liking it (or rather, judging me for speaking out against it). Yes?
With the comment to Vanessa about how I wish people would put the energy they put into this into something good, I was admittedly overgeneralizing to make a point. I still think it is a valid point.
Listen, I know that there are people who think it's ridiculous to commit three hours of time on Sundays from Sept. through Dec. to watch a shitty football team. And that's fine. I think it's ridiculous to spend two nights a week watching American Idol (another craze I don't get). These are the things that make us individuals, and I respect and value the differences. What fun would it be if we were all the same?
But in all fairness, I am not taking quizzes to see "Which Buffalo Bills player are you going to marry?" or carrying around a Trent Edwards doll. I am not proposing marriage to Paul Posluszny, or plastering Terrell Owens's face on my walls. And that kind of behavior is really all I was ever bitching about.
You say you know that I am a "passionate person." And yes, that's true. But no, I don't understand the draw. When I see adult women outside of the Today Show, screaming in ear-splitting pitches over an actor who played a vampire in a movie, I do not get it at all. I can't relate. And in short, that was the point of my post.
Just as you are grateful to live in a country where you have the choice about how to spend your free time, I am grateful to live in a country where I can state my opinion, no matter how popular or unpopular. :)
Everyone's opinion is fascinating.
I think I was a bit misunderstood with my comment about people not queuing up to protest about [insert things I find meaningful]. I wasn't referring to people who love Twilight in particular. I was speaking generally about what I perceive to be a dumming down, and how it saddens me. I'm not someone who spends my life doing 'good deeds'. But when most people don't go out to vote these days yet vote for American Idol etc, for example, it grates on me.
Ultimately I believe we all watch too much tv and are too reliant on passive ways to amuse ourselves and that this contributes to these crazes - fiction turns into our lives, we convince ourselves we know celebrities etc.
I know I come across as judgmental and incredibly opinionated, but this is something that I believe fervently. I too am grateful that I can air my opinion even if not everyone likes what I'm saying.
I've read all the Twilight books and I went to the midnight showing last night (DH went too!). While I really like story and the characters, and have fun discussing the books and Team Edward/Jacob, I'm not what you call "obsessive".
We think midnight showings are fun, especially when one of us really likes the book or previous movie. That's really why we went. It was a date :) We were pretty casual about it (although I did wear my Jacob shirt) and had an awesome time.
However, as I wrote in my Nest post, there were truly, crazed and obsessed people there as well. People willing to trample each other to get the best seats. People screaming and crying and sort of maniacal. I think those are the people you're trying to understand.
They're just caught up in the hysteria and I think some of them just wish the story and characters were real. The media has been egging the hysteria on since Twilight, and people are just feeding off of it willingly. I think they're looking for a fun escape, and some just get way too caught up.
As horribly written as the Twilight books are, I still enjoy them and the movies! It's just plain fun :)
I will say though that I'm a huge BSB fan and that at my first BSB concert at age 16, my friend and I painted ourselves, worse shirts, and were one of those screaming maniacs. I'm not ashamed :)
Elyse--I so appreciate that you wholeheartedly disagree with me, but are still able to see the intention of my post. Thank you!
Vanessa--Again, you have explained what I was trying to explain, only BETTER. I think we are completely on the same page here.
Jen--Going to a midnight showing is not something that I'd put on the list of "crazy" behavior. Of course there are crazy people who do it (some of whom you encountered last night!), but I know that plenty of the people who go to midnight premieres are sane, just excited. :) I was just pointing out that I was totally OK with the fact that I'm not going to see the movie on premiere night, or even premiere weekend (or ever, haha). Up until the comments in this post, I've felt like I'm "different" for not liking Twilight, and my point in saying I'd be cozy in my bed is that I'm fine with that!
And you are right on about the behavior I'm trying to understand. Thanks for understanding that.
Like you say, people wish they were real (or even pretend that they are!), and that is what I find so funny. Stuff like that has always bothered me, though. My friend did an internship with General Hospital one summer and when I went out to L.A. to visit her during it, I got to do some cool things like take a set tour, meet many of the actors, and then I was even hired to work at a fan event. You want to see crazy people? Check out women at soap opera fan events. People screaming, "SONNY!!!" "JASON!!" "OH MY GOD, IT'S NICHOLAS!" I cannot understand it. They are actors. They have real names. The people you love, they are characters. Sure, admire the actor and their talent. But to treat them as if you know them because of the character they play on TV? Again, behavior I don't understand. It's not just Twilight, I was just using it as an example since it's a current craze.
As for your BSB obsession/crazy fanhood, I can excuse you because you were 16. :)
I want everyone to understand that I get that a lot of this is just for fun. That most people don't take it too seriously, and just dive into the hype because it's something to do with friends, something to talk about. And I feel like I've repeated myself a million times now, but those aren't the people I'm talking about!
Ditto. Ditto to the whole post (and I have GOT to add you to my blog roll).
This high school English teacher agrees with the other one - I DO appreciate this series because at least it's getting kids to read. But I find it disconcerting how many of my friends (ie 30-somethings) eagerly ask me if I've read it and what my thoughts are. They seem to find my reply "No, I have not read it. I will not read it. Why? Because I'm not 14" snarky. I can't imagine why. :)
And can we please refrain from referring to the Twilight series and Harry Potter in the same breath? I have read all the HP books (which are not normally my genre) and can appreciate those books on so many different levels. The use of archetypes in those books are beautiful - similar to the Narnia series, not to mention the Coming of Age theme.
Anyway, I agree, I think the problem is not in judging someone's personal taste in reading material, but the *mania* that grown women are engaging in over these fictional characters. I suppose it's healthier escapism than drugs or booze, but it's still a little pathetic, in my always honest opinion.
Heather, I don't believe based on this post that you are not accepting of people’s differences. Like I said, I understand that you are stating your opinion. I mainly was just shocked at how annoying this phenomenon seems to be from someone on the "outside". Again, as I stated I didn't feel you were attacking anyone.
So other than that, I mainly was just trying to point out is that though it may appear that people don't balance the different areas of their lives, I think it may just be that we just don't see it. (And I was not aware that folks admittedly did not vote due to watching American Idol - there are very easy ways to balance that situation and it saddens me to hear people couldn’t.)
And, you are very right. If we all had the same opinion...this would be a very boring world and I think it is great that you welcome the opportunity to hear it all and state your own.
:) Have a good weekend!
I think I should also say, that I have read the books, and I have watched the movies...I have NOT watched the actor promotions, or seen some of the other TV spots, etc...so I may be way off in posting in this whole situation...
I say to each their own. Obviously there are people who are going overboard with the obsession, but as long as it's all in fun I don't see the harm in any of it. Some people just aren't interested in the same things as you are and vice versa, that's what makes this such a great world we live in, it's diversity.
AMEN SISTER!!!
I read all four books this summer. I have a dear friend who was going through a divorce. She read...um, obsessed over...twilight as a means to escape the realities of her divorce. So I read them, so that I would actually have something to contribute to her conversation. However, I had nothing good or nice to contribute.
I don't understand the obsession. The first book was ok. It was an easy read that didn't require me to think. But the got worse and worse as the books went on. I was bored out of my mind and literally had to FORCE myself to continue reading them.
Then I saw the movie. OH.MY.GOSH! I would like that 2 hours of my life back, please. HORRIBLE! By far the WORST movie EVER made! So terrible. Bad acting. Horrible directing. All around bad.
Unfortunately, I did go see New Moon at midnight. Again, the divorce friend...she begged me to. No one else wanted to. Because I'm a good friend, I went. I did NOT wait in line. No thank you. Advance tickets? Yes please...I'm not waiting. I think everyone in the theater got sick of my snarky comments. Whatever. New Moon was better than the first. BUT it still had bad acting. And cheesy moments. Wolves were kinda cool.
Anyway, don't waste your time on Twilight. It really, truly, is the dumbest thing ever. I do not understand the obsession, nor will I ever. And I'm entitled to my opinion, because I have tried it. So take that, haters! :p
ps...sorry for the LONG comment :p
Heather-
Im pretty sure there is no need to have to justify your writing. IT IS YOUR BLOG! the poing of it being your page is to express how you feel. keep it up!
rachel
Thanks, Heather, totally on the same page! I think you said it brilliantly for what it's worth! And Rachel, you are so right! The debate has been fun though and 36 comments? Awesome! Love this blog!
I read this article and it totally articulated why I love Twilight!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/18/AR2009111804145.html
i am TOTALLY with you. I read the books and while they were semi-entertaining, I was not sad when they ended and I would not call them good literature. I definitely don't get the obsession either!
Haven't read them, and also, do not plan on reading them. :)
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