Have The Originals recorded, but haven't watched any of it yet. But I watched the first three seasons of The Vampire Diaries. I enjoy it. Not sure how much that has to do with nostalgia, because I liked the books so much when I was a kid. I guess they were the Twilight of my day. Sometimes I look back on my teenage self and ask "why"? Then there is Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel....but I will love them forever and ever. They are both still among my all time favorite shows.I get a lot of flak about that from some of my horror inclined friends though I doubt they have even bothered to watch either show.
I only actually watched Buffy for the first time a few years ago, although when I was in my first year of college, everyone I knew was watching it and raving about it. I was too damn busy then for any TV :) But yes, Buffy and Angel will always be close to my heart.
I don't understand how horror buffs can judge on that kind of thing - I mean, Buffy makes fun of every horror trope out there. That's kinda the point. You can only be judgey about it if you have no ability to laugh at yourself.
I think they dismiss it as teen fluff....I don't think they realize both shows are actually pretty clever. I know someone who was really reluctant to watch Cabin in the Woods because of Joss Whedon's involvement, but when he finally watched it, he loved it. These are writers that have an obvious appreciation for the horror genre, even when they are taking shots at it. Also, the whole high school is hell theme of BtVS really rang true to me...ha.