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

[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!