Watchlist: Kiah Stokes

At The Players’ Tribune, we’ve noticed that you can tell a lot about a person by their answer to four simple words: “What are you watching?” That’s why we’ve created Watchlist, a series where we ask our contributors to look inside their DVRs, DVD collections, iPads and whatever else — and share the movies and TV shows they count among their favorites.

Here, with her Watchlist, is New York Liberty center (and future reality show competitor) Kiah Stokes.

Inkmaster / Chopped / Project Runway

I love competition shows. There’s just something about them — their structure — that I think is cool. You can get into the show even if you’re not interested in the thing it’s about.

I watch a lot of tattoo shows — Inkmaster and all those. But I’ll never get a tattoo. All of the cooking competition shows? Same deal. I watch Chopped religiously. Love Iron Chef. But I don’t cook, and I don’t know how to cook. Project Runway — I’ll watch it all day. Do I care about fashion? Not even a little bit.

But that’s what makes those shows so great. You get sucked into these strange worlds that otherwise you wouldn’t know anything about. Pretty soon you’re using the vocabulary, judging people, feeling like a pro. It’s like, Yeah, sure, I can tattoo somebody. But really you can’t.

And then, of course, the best part is the gamesmanship aspect. Every show has the same basic strategy to it, no matter what it’s about. If you know the strategy, you’ll have success. It’s that simple.

The Amazing Race

My brother, Darius, and I always talk about going on The Amazing Race. I really think we’d kill it. We’re both athletic, strong, in pretty good shape. We’re very competitive, but we don’t ever fight. I’m smart; he’s smart enough. So if you’re reading this, and you work at The Amazing Race or CBS — let’s make this happen.

And listen — I’m in it to win it. Originally, my dad wanted to go on the show with me. And I said, “Nope, sorry Dad, you’ve got a bad hip. I’mma take someone who’s healthy.” Yeah, you read that right. Dad got axed. It’s cutthroat. I’m not here to make friends.

White Chicks

“Triple T – K – A: Time to Totally Kick Ass.”

Dexter

Dexter’s one of my top shows. It’s kind of weird at first. He’s a serial killer but for good. But within the rhythm of the show, you get pretty used to it.

Here’s the No. 1 lesson of Dexter: Never connect the dots too soon. All of these characters try to come at Dexter, or think they have him figured out, and he’ll be this close to getting caught … but he never gets caught. He’s Dexter. That’s just how it goes. It’s what makes him great, and the show great. You’d think people would learn but they never do.

I would also like to use my platform at The Players’ Tribune to speak on a really important issue of our times: How terrible the Dexter finale was. When Season 8 ended, I Googled, “Is there going to be a Dexter Season 9?” because after I watched the finale, I was so mad. I was like, That can’t be it. There has to be more. But then there wasn’t. I love Dexter but that finale was one of the worst things I’ve ever seen.

Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

My number one favorite show growing up was Fresh Prince. It was on Nick at Night, which was all you needed back then. A little Fresh Prince, a little Family Matters, a little Home Improvement — there’s your Friday night right there. Cancel the party. You’re set. #NickLyfe.

Anyway, Fresh Prince is just the GOAT show. It’s more hilarious than any other show; all of the characters are hilarious. And there’s just something about Will Smith. Later on, when he started making movies, he became sort of a heartthrob. But back then, he was scrawny and you just liked him because of his personality. He was confident, bordering on cocky. He was funny. He was goofy. He just had this charisma. And don’t even get me started on Carlton. Everyone has a Carlton in their life. And if you don’t have a Carlton, then I have some bad news: you’re the Carlton.