Hey, 'Cloverfield'! Leave New York City alone!

Every morning I’m lucky enough to leave my Manhattan apartment only to see a wondrous view of the Empire State Building and the neighborhood bum dancing a jig on the corner. Upon such sights, I can’t help but wonder (Carrie Bradshaw-style, of course): Who could possibly dislike a city that not only boasts legendary architecture, but daily street entertainment as well? No one, right? So why oh why in heaven’s name does all of Hollywood want to destroy my beloved hometown, 2 a.m. gourmet take-out and all? Sure, we’re used to disaster flicks taking advantage of NYC’s distinct skyline to show how devastating a cataclysmic event would be (see: The Day After Tomorrow). But now that the city’s absorbing a one-two punch from I Am Legend and Cloverfield, isn’t it time that we just let the Big Apple be? Not that films are the only perpetrators of such destruction. New York City is having a tough time of late on the small screen as well: Both season 1 and 2 of Heroes set their disaster scenes in NYC. And don’t get me started on all those Discovery Channel shows that chronicle the downfall of New York after some major weather calamity (pan to: me, clutching a pillow, anticipating the Apocalypse with every suspicious noise and high temperature, thanks to those shows’ lovely scare tactics).

So what do you think, PopWatchers? Do you think it’s high time that filmmakers and TV honchos pick on another city? Heck, even season 6 of 24—a.k.a. Worst. Season. Ever.—was creative enough to look to the west coast for a city to destroy. Say it with me, PopWatchers (a la Chris Crocker, of course): Leave New York City alone!