The agony of indecision
The agony of indecision
I don’t watch shows anymore I just watch serpadesign feed his frogs on YouTube x
Why does anyone watch new TV when there are perfectly good copies of every season of Gargoyles they could be pirating?
We talking bout Goliath, Hudson, Bronx, Brooklyn and the rest of the gang? Them gargoyles?
I've never identified with someone else's comment so hard.
I am out of the loop with this one, are you referring to the cartoon series?
Yes?
And then for one, "yeah I like that show!"
"Oh do you remember when x did y?"
...No, I forgot everything that happened a week later.
I'm so glad it isn't just me. I've been concerned I might have memory issues because this happens in my life so much.
For real, how do people remember such details from the shows they watch.
Might just be interest. I can't remember yesterday, but I remember every bit of Halo lore that I've read.
One the upside, you can watch a show all over again like it's the first time!
That's why you wait until it finish airing and then marathon the whole thing.
That's the worst for me. If I binge it just goes into the big Binge Pot of Media Memories in my head. If I watch it daily or weekly, then I'm thinking about it and talking about it, ie interacting with the material, as it's coming out.
I've taken to calling this kind of media "Mandatory Adult Television." I think the first of its species was Lost; there were predecessors with some similar traits like The X Files or The Sopranos, heavily serialized adult content television that was very popular water cooler talk, but Lost was the first one I remember as segmenting the population into those who follow he show, and those who don't. Game of Thrones was THE big one. You either watched Game of Thrones or you weren't allowed to socialize as an adult. "Hey, did you see Game of Thrones last night?" "No, I don't watch that show." "Oh. Bye." For nearly a decade. No one wants to talk about that show anymore. Same with Lost.
People aren't good with small talk and stuff like this is one of the few things you'd be likely to have in common.
I like to pretend like I know what they're talking about and see how far I can get before they catch on.
I didn't watch Game of Thrones, and I didn't feel like I needed to. What between everyone talking about it, it was hard to miss what was happening.
I do like that it introduced so many people to fantasy!
Sounds like peer pressure.
Severance is great. I watched it on my 3-month trial to Apple TV.
Yeah agreed, really enjoyed it! I watched it on uh... yeah, free trial thing as well.
Yeah. I got it there too. There was this black flag with a skull on it...
You got 3 months!? I got 7 days; barely got a few eps of Ted Lasso in
When I turned in my iPad (Air 4) due to some issues with magnetic covers within warranty, I got a free replacement and a 90-day trial to Apple TV+. I watched Ted Lasso (all 3 seasons), Silo and Severance during these 3 months.
I'm not sure why you only got 7 days, but I would assume that Apple gives a longer trial to people who just got a new iDevice.
ps. I should mention that if I were to get a new tablet today, I would get one from Samsung.
Target gives out 1-3 month Apple trials from time to time.
I don't wanna overanalyze the meme, but it is irritating when you can't have a conversation with someone without their whole identity being based on whatever they've recently watched. Then if you haven't seen it, them uncreatively explaining the plot to you.
TV shows are just an easy conversational topic... that's all it is.
Yea you're right, I can't be too upset.
It’s a shared experience, like the weather. Usually in person with somebody who experiences the same weather, but comparing/contrasting weather with friends across the country (US, so that can be pretty far) works sometimes too.
Seen one of those (The Boys). Maybe two if you count the first season of Westworld (don't plan on watching more because it's supposed to be shite).
I only really bother with Mike Flanagan's single season stuff on Netflix, because the man knows how to open and close a story. Others should take note. Don't start a story unless you know how it's going to end and how long it's going to take to get there.
"This is popular, let's make more" is an attitude that has ruined television.
They don't care about the quality of television. Writing a story that goes on and on and offers the possibility of several spinoffs is the equivalent of micro-transactions in video games : they make more money that way.
Capitalism only maximizes money, it doesn't maximize quality. It eats quality to make more money.
The model worked back when episodes were self contained. I don't need to see seasons 1-20 (or whatever they're up to now) of The Simpsons to understand the latest episode. Old Star Trek was the same. You didn't need a huge back story. Kirk/Picard and chums were the good guys. The guy with the plastic on his face and angry eyes was the bad guy. It was easy.
But stretching a simple story over 10 seasons of gradually declining quality is nonsense. By their own logic we can only have a conclusion when the quality has declined to the point that nobody cares what happens. Might as well not even have an ending at that point.
Agreed about Flanagan. I feel like now’s the time to have more one season stories for easier digestion. Especially since so many of them turn to shit so quickly. Ted Lasso being a recent example. Holy shit that last season was horrendous.
It's the same thing in video games and books, people chasing money or lack skill go after the most popular genres even if they themselves don't really have any interest in it and produce mediocre products that have 0 passion in them.
I should really watch more stuff from Flanagan, I though midnight mass was alright even if it dragged it's feet in the middle.
The Bear is very very good
I still haven’t recovered from a certain Season 2 episode
Also Mr. Robot and Foundation and Good Omens and Fleabag and the new Beavis and Butthead and Station Eleven and Doctor Who is about to get good again and Irma Vep was great but I don't think that one's coming back
Beavis and Butthead
wait there's a new one? I've been living under a rock!
There are two new seasons and a movie!
I forgot about this, I need to go watch!
That reminds me, I went out on Halloween dressed as Butthead when I was but a wee lad hhhuhuh.
It's okay, not great, although I loved this episode.
I wish Station Eleven was longer :(
I wanted to see that world explored a little longer.
Don't forget Goliat and Bosch.
... Still haven't seen The Wire 🥲
I hate to be "that guy", but it's definitely worth it, and unlike many shows it's fairly easy to watch.
Yeah it is pretty long, but rewarding.
It's also not a "flashy" show, so you don't get the fatigue of the writer constantly one-upping themselves to shock you. It's just a fun drama with some great characters and actors. Once you've seen it, you'll join the ranks of those who yell "OMG IT"S AVON BARKSDALE" everytime you see Harris on screen, or any number of the other actors.
I feel this way about video games.
Same, Baulder's Gate 3 is out. It's fantastic and I don't have much motivation to spend money on it. TOTK takes up all the time I allow myself to play video games. I still haven't even started Elden Ring.
I honestly believe half of these shows are fake and you can’t change my mind
I've seen half the shows listed and they're all pretty decent. And this is from someone who just cycles one subscription and watches whatever looks interesting on the current subscription.
I’m pissed at how absolutely shit the end of The Watcher is. It started so good.
Imo we should limit these to one every 5 years.
I'm just now watching the 20 year old tv show "the wire" and its better than the 5 of these I have watched (of those 5, I'd only recommend the "the bear")
Oh man, I'm just starting that one myself. West Wing. Sopranos. For some reason, if you can get past the old-person video quality, 20 years ago was peak TV. Gen-X is mostly a waste of oxygen and natural resources, but their art (TV, music) was a Renaissance era.
No! That's not true! We've just kept the best shows from that era! For every "The Wire" there were a dozen other terrible shows airing at the same time. It's true that there were fewer shows on TV so there were less to pick from but believe me, in another 10 years people are going to only point to "Breaking Bad" and other shows (Sherlock? Mr. ROBOT? Dexter? Game of thrones minus the last season? we can't say for sure right now) as amazing and they'll say "damn, 20 years ago was peak TV."
I will say though, it's impressive that HBO is really the only production company to consistently produce the best TV.
I'd argue about the waste of oxygen thing, but my gen x coworker says she mostly identifies with boomers.
I would say I feel attacked, but you're mostly right.
The wire is an all timer! Not sure any of the shows in the picture will ever be at that level.
Fellas, is it a crime to want to share something you enjoy? As long as you aren't demonizing people who haven't seen it, who cares?
It's not about demonizing the person sharing. It's about the feeling of being overwhelmed because there's so much shit you haven't seen and will never see. You will never have enough time to get through that list and that can feel bad.
Yeah that’s about it. I also think it’s about the dawning realisation that this medium or format of storytelling has become increasingly commercialised; and that in spite of the vast hours of content available, there is paradoxically less genuine narrative than ever.
I've watched like two of the ones listed.
Two more than me. I did start watching Westworld but it was too gruesome. It's a shame that programs with good storylines have to ruin it with too much gratuity.
I see where you're coming from. But for Westworld the gratuity is sort of fundamental to the theme and plot of the show.
What's gratuity in this context? English is my second language and an the dictionary nor online searches for things like "gratuity in tv shows" were of much help. I saw most of one episode; do you mean the soft porn?
Between shows and my steam backlog who has time for it all? Then there is all that other stuff like work, making dinner, getting outdoors, family...
I swear, too much to do, too little time.
Then there's me, on my 4th rewatch of Mash this year.
Haven't watched any of these and I don't feel like curling in fetal position. What's wrong with me, doctor?
Oh, he’s doing that because he feels like he’s missing out? I thought the joke was that he curled into fetal position because the guy is peppering him with questions and is feeling overwhelmed.
I had a boss that’d always try to talk about films, TV, and frequently referenced actors to me, and I’d always feel a bit bad that I never got it.
I imagine you have your own methods to handle these types of discussions, but this is my trick.
"Have you watched random niche show you've never heard of?"
"No, but I've heard it's pretty decent. What's it about?"
At this point, you can check out of the conversation while they talk about a show you'll never see. Personally, I like to half listen because I like to hear about stuff people have a passion for
The Last of Us and The Boys.
Haven't seen anything (or even heard of a lot) of the others. Not that they are bad shows. I just like to waste my time in other activities.
Like video games. Not shows, but still wasting time.
Video games feel different. Like I feel like I've accomplished something good for myself after playing a game. Shows just make me restless for the most part.
I've thought about that. Games, especially ones with development like RPGs, provide that sense of accomplishment that life rarely gives or doesn't give clearly. Promotions at work might be years apart, buying a house, etc but I can feel like I got something done on a daily basis in games, plus I get a little chime sound and a popup when I do!
People are so different, I feel exactly the opposite. There's a bunch of games I'd want to play, but most of the time when I'm about to start playing, I'm just overcome with the feeling of "What's the point? It's just a waste of time". When I'm watching a show I'm processing a shit-ton of stuff, emotions, life, depression. Games are just "for fun". I just don't seem to get the same out of games no matter how "deep" or whatever they are. I accomplish something in a game, 99% of the time I just feel "Well, I could've used all that time and energy doing something real and now I just wasted all that time for some virtual character in a virtual world.".
If I had to watch every movie/show that was/is popular... I wouldn't have time for things I really enjoy, so fuck that.
Wait until you hear about these things called "books"…
Ooh! I was going to say that I haven't watched any of these shows, nor even heard of half of them. But, I've probably got common ground with you if you give me a similar list of books/series.
Have just finished the Mortal Instruments series, which apparently was turned into a TV show called "Shadow Hunters". No idea if it was any good, though.
The Bear is a great show, would definitely recommend.
I heard it's good but stressful.
That is an accurate assessment. It's great and I can't wait for the next season. But it also gave me anxiety while I watched it.
Who added wednesday?
I liked it, so?
Imagine being downvoted for sharing an opinion on a tv show.
I liked the beginning, the later episode lost ny interest.
Based on the mostly fantastic choices presented here, I am now using those mentioned that I haven’t seen as a guide to future choices.
I honestly feel like there’s entirely too many actually good shows out there for any one person to watch.
If The White Lotus isn't a TLA spinoff I'm gonna invade the Rhineland.
Edit: looking for volunteers
What about Righteous Gemstones? I'm like 4 or 5 episodes in but it hasn't grabbed my attention yet. Worth watching?
Each season was better than the last and it wrapped up really nicely but liking his stuff in general is required. Nothing was better than Vice Principals, imo.
I watched the crap out of Eastbound and Down but haven't gotten to Vice Principals yet.
I wasn't a Danny McBride fan until I watched gemstones. After I finished it, I immediately binged Vice Principals. That being said, if you don't like this type of "mean(?)" comedy, chances are you won't change your mind.
It's an acquired taste like shitty wine or raw cinnamon.
It got better the further I got into it. It caused unplanned binging more than once.
I am out of touch and I don't recognize 85% of the names, and I am suspecting that those are made up so that the comic resonates with informed people as well. And the artist seems to have little imagination ("The Watcher" is obviously a play on "The Witcher").
It could be the Netflix show.
NO THERE IS NOTHING IN EXISTENCE OUTSIDE OF MY BUBBLE SO EVERYBODY ELSE IS WRONG AND HAS POOR IMAGINATION AND OPINIONS
I haven't even heard of half of these shows, let alone watched them. Who even has time to watch all of these?
I mean, Wednesday and The Bear we're both great shows TBH. Russian Doll was funny and dark as well.
more than half of those shows mentioned are unwatchable garbage.
Let me guess...Everybody will agree with this statement, but also everybody will have a different opinion on which shows are the garbage.
After seeing "The Watcher" in the corner, which is an obvious play on "The Witcher", I am assuming the other half is made up names so that the comic resonates with people who watch shows as well.
CONSOOM TV
Why bother trying to keep up to date with all these things just because of FOMO?
Stopped watching shows, only torrenting old stuff and the odd cartoon here or there. Picked up comics recently though, lots of stuff coming out but it's oddly different, it feels more like record collecting.
My wife and I have like 3 comfort shows that we just rewatch all year round. And this is kind of how it's like when we meet up with our friends who have watched everything new as it releases.
Great... more shows to download that I probably won't watch because I'm still trying to catch up with older ones at least I just finished The Wire....
I've only seen exactly one of these.
Same. For me it was Wednesday
No desire to see Wednesday. I did just notice westworld though, I liked that one and it makes two with Ted lasso. Tried Euphoria and hated it after 10 minutes. Started the last of us but wife hated it and am waiting for a chance when she’s not around.
The boys, am I right?
So I totally missed half of them on the last panel. I was thinking Ted lasso but I did see the boys. That’s what I get for lemmying while taking my half asleep morning poo.
If you like Serpadesigns, give homemade ecosystems a looksie. Similar content but more silly
Amazing I’ll check it out!
Out of all of those, I only saw Russian doll. Did it ever come back? There was a huge gap after season 2, and it didn't finish the story at all. Never heard of it was continued, I haven't had Netflix since I stopped getting it for free with my phone bill.
Nah, just two seasons. It should have just been the one.
I liked the first season, but the second one? Natasha Lyonne voice: Ehh, not so much.
Seriously, I know none of them, not a single one. Maybe they are made up?
Watched the first episode of white lotus while on a flight and really couldn't be interested enough to finish that one. Does it become good later?
I watched it and didn't really like it. It's too slow-paced for me and the characters weren't relatable.
Give it 3+ episodes. I had the same reaction and yes it becomes much better later and the second season is fantastic as well
I started out great imo, so if the first episode didn't click with you, don't bother. There's enough content out there for anyone's tastes.
The only one of these I recognize is Westworld. I cut the cord after the first season and never looked back.
Second is still ok-ish, third sucks and fourth is a bit better... so you stopped at the right point.
You haven't heard of last of us or the boys...?
How do you even exist on the Internet without coming across these?
I'm a big fan of serpadesign, he inspired me into terrariums and last month I made a small fish bowl, which I am planning to move to a proper fish tank that I will DIY from IKEA glass shelves as in one of his videos.
Been boycotting the media for about a decade. It frankly makes it difficult to make small talk when you refuse to know about the latest trends that Big Media sells to the populace
Why not try watching an episode of something and if you like it, keep going, and if not, drop it? No need to worry about Big Media.
Hacks is very good. Love hacks
And just think if Hollywood continues to let this strike go on, we’re going to have the opposite problem.
I'd be happy with a couple years of no new TV where we can all just catch up with the shows we've missed to be honest.
" Hey, do you know of any shows nobody else in this room has already watched?"
Six out of nineteen ain't bad.
Shit I've only seen 2, and haven't even finished the boys yet so really just one.
I need like a year off work to catch up on TV and film, then another 3 or 4 years to catch up with gaming.
Fuck adulthood.
I only heard of 3. I am suspecting most of the rest are made up names (The Watcher seems like an obvious play on The Witcher) so that the comic resonates with informed people as well.
I will say, there's eight that I haven't heard of either.
i lose brain cells whenever i watch tv or netflix
You should probably avoid both then. Sounds like you don't have many to start with
I haven't seen a single one of any of those shows.
Same. Only heard of 3, and I am assuming half are made up so that the comic resonates with people who do watch shows.
Mindhunter
I only watch shows when they are done airing the last season / episode. Few exceptions.. like mindless comedy shows that have no ongoing story arch through the seasons.. like the simpsons.
Once all of One Piece has been released I'll just binge it all at once
Russian Doll is the only one worth watching. And only the first season.
Why not 2nd? I watched first back then and now I saw this post and recalled. I loved the first one and was considering to watch the 2nd. Never thought there would be a 2nd season to this.
The story was finished at the end of the 1st season. The 2nd is a completely different premise and idk, I just don't think it was as enjoyable or as well thought-out
Might as well give it a shot, but just be aware it's a different premise and hasn't been received as well.
I only watched maybe two episodes of the second season. It switched to a Quantum Leap type situation where she jumped through time into another person.
How explicitly graphic is yellow jackets?
If you check IMDB site, show details, and scroll down, they have ratings and scenes description. They also have some under spoiler tags.
I always click on serpadesign!
And they're all MID
Every single one?
I don't like tv shows in general 🤷♀️ white lotus was good though
As someone who very rarely watches series, this really hits home. I just rarely have the patience to do so, and because of that I also don't have any streaming subscriptions. I'd rather play games, because the interaction makes them a lot more rewarding to me. To each their own though, other people don't play games so they'll have the same problem with me
I get what you're saying here, but in all seriousness there's no good reason to have not watched Yellowjackets by now. You can do better. It's easily the best show of the last 10 years.
Honestly never heard of it.
I definitely wouldn't say it's the best show of the last 10 years TBH. The first season is fun, and the second one kind of trails off a bit IMO.
🪦
It had potential to be great, but falls far from that. Some cringe-inducing writing and acting there. It was fun and entertaining enough to watch. Hope the next season is better.
