faq
Television

Christopher has said a number of times that he is "not much of a TV watcher" and also has said, "I never really watch too much of anything" (Dec 27 1999; June 8 2001; Oct 19 2001).

Chris remembers watching Johnny Quest, George of the Jungle and Bugs Bunny cartoons when he was a child (Mar 28 2000); he also remembers seeing the moon landing on television (Dec 8 1999). His favourite TV show of all time is M.A.S.H. (Apr 29 2000; Nov 6 2000). When he was a child, his favourites were "Get Smart, M.A.S.H., All in the Family, Starsky and Hutch and The Partridge Family" (June 8 2001). Now, Chris's favourite TV shows to watch are SVU and South Park (Nov 4 2004).

Chris's favourite Brady Bunch episode is the first one (Dec 8 1999). His favourite TV cartoons are The Simpsons, Bugs Bunny cartoons, South Park and Beavis and Butthead (Mar 28 2000). If there is a show to which Chris is addicted, it's South Park (Nov 13 2001). He has vacillated regarding which character on that show is his favourite; it's either Kenny or Cartman (Apr 11 2000; Dec 19 2001; Jan 24 2005). However, he is too "outta the loop" to be able to choose between the characters Mr. Hat and Mr. Twig (Nov 16 2004).

On Saturday Night Live, Christopher's favourite characters and actors are "Bill Murray, Cheri Oteri, Will Ferrell, Dana Carvey, Eddie Murphy and Gilda Radner" (Sept 22 2001) and his favourite skits were the music teachers and the cheerleaders (Jan 12 2001). He was a fan of The Kids in the Hall and, on that show, he liked the "I'm crushing your head" skit the best (Jan 12 2001). "One of the best television pairings" Chris says he can think of is the pairing of Tim Conway and Harvey Korman, who performed on The Carol Burnett Show (Apr 3 2001).

On the subject of reality television, Christopher has said, "Warhol's prediction is coming to fruition. I don't watch - I find it rather boring" (July 24 2000) and "They bore the living shit outta me" (Sept 8 2004). When asked why he thinks reality television is so popular, Chris replied, "I should actually be asking you the question, 'cause obviously people are watching this shit. It's cheap for producers and people. Fans now have a chance to be famous. Hopefully, it'll pass" (June 22 2003). A fan asked what reality program Chris would have fall off of the face of the earth. Chris replied, "Well, if I had to give a fairly uninformed opinion - how about the phony date/true love/marriage ones. I mean, come on, people acting intimate and in love with a camera in their face" (Nov 16 2004).

Chris says he would want to guest-star on The West Wing or Malcolm in the Middle (Nov 2 2000). If Chris were not acting in television, he would "direct, maybe," but says that "TV producing/writing is an UNBELIEVABLE grind - day in, day trying-to-get-product-out - tough" (Nov 16 2004). Sex and the City was a show that Chris "couldn't take," but since he knows Calista Flockhart and Melina Kanakaredes, he watched both Ally McBeal (starring Flockhart) and Providence (starring Kanakaredes) "a few times" (Dec 19 2001; Apr 2 2004).

Chris commented on some of the controversy surrounding the depiction of Italian-Americans in The Sopranos (which is a show that he likes): "Pride leading to censorship. The hyper-sensitive with too much time on their hands can’t wait to strangle you with their politically-correct rope and stuff you into their concept of the way things should be. Let creativity be. Don’t like it? Don’t watch" (Apr 29 2001; Dec 19 2001).

A fan commented that the media are often criticized for "portraying homosexuals as deviants" and wondered whether television is ready to see chemistry in same-sex relationships (as was demonstrated between Keller and Beecher on Oz) on other shows, such as Will & Grace. Chris replied, "Well...first, I didn't know the media were criticized for that. Will & Grace is a comedy; I don't think people tune in primarily for the sex (think Seinfeld characters and sex...not very appealing is it?) or things 'compelling.' Television IS ready! Now can it make money for anyone? THAT IS the question" (Jan 4 2001).

In Chris's opinion, sex and violence on television (especially that which is viewed by children) "just puts more pressure on the parents. That's why they bitch about it" (Aug 21 2000). As for whether violence in real life causes violence on-screen or vice-versa, he says, "It's the world we live in. It has always been so and will always be" (Aug 21 2000). In response to whether he thinks there's too much violence on television (and whether there are "acceptable levels" of violence in that medium), he said, "I honestly believe there is too much violence in music and in the Middle East...TV? No. What's acceptable? Don't like it - don't watch. I don't like the music, I don't listen...I also don't travel to the Middle East" (Oct 14 2000).

Last updated: March 04/06