Is not liking HBO’s ‘Girls’ considered a hate crime?

Sunday night, I watched as Lena Dunham won not one, but two, Golden Globes for her work on the divisive HBO hit “Girls,” including Best Actress TV Series – Comedy/Musical and Best TV Series – Comedy/Musical.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WobcKF3Lkcs?feature=player_detailpage&w=580&h=280]

The show, which follows four girls milling about in their 20s, is supposed to appeal to Millennial women, but as someone in the key demo, I’m just not that into it.

Yet, as I rolled my eyes with disdain and yelled at the screen as Dunham thanked Chad Lowe in her acceptance speech, I had three gay men yelling at me.

How do you not like this show?

You should at the very least appreciate that a woman is writing, directing, and starring in it!

She does not look like Mary Lou Retton!

As it turns out, in the ultimate of ironies, I guess gay men do love “Girls.”

But it’s not just these dudes who love and defend the show. My sister accused me of being anti-feminist for not appreciating Lena Dunham’s affinity for nudity, after I told her I found all of the nakedness on the show rather gross. I’m no prude, but when you’ve seen Dunham’s naked body more than your own, something’s wrong.

The lesson: “Girls” is a controversial topic. If you bring up that you don’t care for it, you’re facing a barrage of anything-but-a-gentleman/gentlewoman labels. Don’t even tell jokes about the show. It may or may not even be politically correct to call the actresses on the show “girls.”

What is it about “Girls” that makes it nearly impossible to talk about with people, whether you like it or hate it? Part of the reason I’m especially annoyed by the series is because every media outlet writes about it at least once a day, like there’s some sort of quota to fill. And it’s all positive talk, never a criticism of self-involved characters who throw abortions for their friends and make jokes about rape during a job interview.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TR0qPl0SXik?feature=player_detailpage&w=580&h=280]

I’ve never seen such a pop culture phenomenon so alienating that it tests relationships. And I had a friend quit speaking to me because I didn’t like the new Muppets movie.

Share this Post:

3 thoughts on “Is not liking HBO’s ‘Girls’ considered a hate crime?”

  1. Then I have committed the same crime! The show makes me disappointed in the women we’re raising – they don’t show much responsibility. I realize it’s supposed to be a comedy, but I just don’t find it funny sponging off their parents as they do.

Comments are closed.