Pondering the way I watch television shows

[wednes]

As you must know, I do watch the occasional TV drama series. I enjoy tuning in each week to see what new plot and character developments will unfurl. LOST, for example, provides a gold mine of things to ponder and speculate about. Then there's the anticipation of watching each new episode as it airs. I enjoy getting caught up in the ferver of a great show and being part of the viewership, discussing the show with others who watch it, etc.

So when I rent an entire season of something and watch all the eps in a row with basically no break, I feel like something is really lost in the translation. I don't mean rewatching, I mean it's your first time seeing something and you watch a whole season in a week (or two days, if it's an HBO season). Rushing through it like that just seems like a bummer. Technically, you are seeing every episode, but not the way the producers/directors/writers/cast intended.

For better or worse, people used to schedule thier week around TV. The first time The Godfather was shown on TV, NYC traffic was as light as it normally was on Christmas day. Everyone was at home watching. When I was a kid, the night they showed Wizard of Oz every year was like a holiday. Now, with so many options to see everything later, viewing times barely matter. In some ways, I find that sad.

Then again, I tend to pay more attention to TV as a concept than many people. I just find TV to be such an accurate indicator of where we are as a society, I guess.

Comments

[sudrin.livejournal.com]

I noticed this with shows that are set up for weekly consumption (Such as say, Rockford Files) but less so with shows that seem to have an arc planned out (like Sopranos) but I understand the fatigue you are talking about. I think it also comes from leaving nothing for yourself to look forward to. You do make a good point though about shows like Lost. There is something special about watching it on a weekly basis with the rest of the world that allows for unique conversation that you won't see again outside of a convention. But after that, its the very reason things like Dragon*con or Comic*con DO exist. :)

[wednes.livejournal.com]

Never having been to one of those conventions, it's tough for me to comment. I've always wanted to go to a horror con, if only because it's stupid that I've never met Ken Foree.

[spiralwitch.livejournal.com]

it is sad that there is so much on tv that we don't appreciate the little things. remember when they would have a "special" on television like Peanuts or something and there would be that little promo that ran that actually said special and it spun around? we would get so happy.

watching the wizard of oz around easter time was a favorite in my family. we'd camp out in the living room. i was an adult before i ever saw the end of the movie because i'd be alseep by the time she made it to emerald city.

[wednes.livejournal.com]

LOL I felt that way about the 10 Commandments, I was in my 20's by the time I actually saw the end of that movie. I usually fell asleep during the big Exodus.

But yeah, that "special" log before Charlie Brown was always awesome. I think during Peanuts was the only time you'd see commercials for the old Dolly Madison snack cakes. Now they are merged with hostess...just not the same.

[kissdbyagnome.livejournal.com]

Yes when the W of OZ came on TV the whole world stopped for me. I never made it to the emerald city either. But oh the thought of seeing Dorthy and her friends made the whole world go away and I only saw them on the TV!

[groovesinorbit]

*nods* I'm having fun watching Dollhouse in relative real time, and being able to chat with people about it and analyze it to death show by show is a lot of what makes it fun. Very different from watching BtVS and Firefly on DVD.

[wednes.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I know what you mean.
I watched the first 2 season of Smallville in about 2 weeks. It was okay, but not nearly so fun as watching the next 2 seasons weekly with the rest of the fans.

Then, sadly...Smallville turned to crap.

How is Dollhouse, BTW?

[groovesinorbit]

I'm enjoying it. It's not as lighthearted as Buffy or Firefly. Rather dark and delving into uncomfortable subject matter, good cast, interesting. It started out a little flat, but it's picking up steam.

[wednes.livejournal.com]

I'll have to check it out.
Can I just jump in or do I have to catch up?

[groovesinorbit]

I'd suggest to at least start with last week's ("Man on the Street"), if you don't want to watch all of the first slew of eps. The first 5 eps are standalone eps, but now things are getting more complicated. "Man On The Street" is a good bridge, I think.

[madush69.livejournal.com]

Ever since I got married and Cathy and I got the DVR, I can't tell you what time, what channel, or even what day my favorite shows are on. I can still give ya the ABC Tuesday night lineup from the early eighties, but yeah, it's not quite as communal. Luckily I do share these watchings with a perfect TV watching spouse, so that's a bonus. I'm still an episode or so behind on ABC's version of "Life On Mars. I'm enjoying that show quite a bit.

[wednes.livejournal.com]

I'm totally behind on Life On Mars. I think I might just pick it up on DVD later. They changed the night it was on to one that is not convenient for me...also, I didn't realize it would only be on for one season. I guess the finale is this week. Then after LOST will be Harold Pirenneau's new show.

[darkeryet.livejournal.com]

I never get to watch tv in the evening anymore but I prefer to record the episodes and discuss them at the end of the week with the friends who watch the same shows. Even when I can't watch my shows as they air, it's still special to watch them one episode a week. Watching an entire season can certainly be fun too, but that is time-consuming and kind of greedy. I like to have my half an hour or an hour of vegging out at the end of a long day rather than reserve an entire day for such a thing.

[wednes.livejournal.com]

I hear that.
I really enjoy discussing my programs with friends who watch them. I wish more of my LJ friends watched LOST.

[kissdbyagnome.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad you wrote about this. I have been missing lost and trying to catch up with it on demand and it's just not the same.

Also, It's very annoying to me when people turn up their nose and proclaim "I don't watch TV" or even better "I don't have time to watch TV". As if it's a waste of their time and a dig at anyone who makes time for it. I'm very weary of these sort of people because for me TV is an art form. Much like a person will appreciate a good book or an interesting painting, TV is the same for me. Oh don't get me wrong I watch the occasional trashy show (just like I'll read a trashy novel) but I really am irritated with those that think they are ABOVE TV. I dunno, just a peeve of mine and sorta off topic.

[wednes.livejournal.com]

Oh, I certainly agree.
I often hear "I don't watch TV, there's too much garbage on it" as if there is nothing whatsoever of redeeming value on TV. That's like avoiding all music because you hate one genre.