Started True Detective: Night Country tonight. I'm kind of loving Jodie Foster's borderline abusive behavior and the counterpoint of Kali Reis' driven trooper. The physical contrast between them is striking with Foster's petite frame and delicate features and Reis' size and physical power while they both share a strength (though Reis has far more visible empathy). This juxtaposition alone makes me want to see what will happen — and how they'll clash.
I guess I'll see if it all goes downhill in Episode three or four.
For me, the line between "hate watching" and "being a completist" is very situational. If the show has no announced end in sight, there's a week between episodes, and the show seems to be spinning its wheels indefinitely, I have no problem dropping it (Lost; Smallville). But if it's a limited series (can we please start calling them miniseries again?) and I'm watching it quickly, I'll blaze through to the end. The two that spring to mind for the latter are Bodyguard (Richard Madden, Keeley Hawes) and London Spy (Ben Whishaw, Jim Broadbent). Both of them started falling apart halfway through, in that way best illustrated by the comedy bit where a driver gets out of their jalopy and a few individual parts fall off sequentially, and then the entire chassis drops to the ground. It really comes down to what my expected investment is, versus my predicted payoff.
I don’t think I am a hate watcher in the sense that I don’t watch anything I expect to hate unless I want to check it out if everybody is raving about it. Case in point: Friday Nights Lights. My attitude was “I’d rather be impaled than watch a show about football”, but I watched the pilot and fell I love with it.
Also, I tend to be a completist and once I start a show, unless it has a million episodes, I want to finish it. Often programs end up growing on me and so I believe it is fair to let them tell their story. Very rarely I detest shows - I can say I truly hated “Taboo” and “Little Birds”, that also left an unpleasant “aftertaste”, but for the most part shows are just “meh”, so I don’t necessarily regret having watched them even if I didn’t like them. Finally some shows are too important to be missed, like “Twin Peaks”. I watched it all and I am glad I did, also I understand what it is significant about it and why it is so much loved, but I can say I liked it. Same with films: I don’t like Fellini, but I watched some of his films because of the cultural aspect of it, if it makes any sense. I have more patience with dramas than with comedy, I must admit.
I got behind on True Detective and am catching up. I just finished episode 4. I like it. But it’s a bit depressing and reminding me that the “noir detective” genre isn’t for me. Regardless of whether it’s well regarded or not. I am going to finish it. Critics (I trust) who have seen the whole series say it ends well. But for me I just need to stay away from this genre in the future. Give me a show that has a sense of humor and moments of levity, please.
I don’t hate watch per se but I am a completist and tend to finish a season even if I am not fully enjoying it. And no, it’s usually not worth it but it’s kind of an OCD thing for me. However I have quit shows. Sometimes in the middle of a scene! So I do have my limits.
So I'm autistic and ADHD (aka AuDHD), and hate watching is very real for me. That being said, I imagine that hate watching is a very different experience for me than what I I imagine it is for most other people (neurotypical or otherwise).
For me, there's a critical mass that is reached (sometimes it's once I've reached the 3rd episode in a 6 episode season, sometimes it's getting to the fourth season of a show after watching the first three seasons, etc) after which I feel compelled to finish the activity. It's like knocking the introductory notes of "shave and a hair cut" on a wooden surface and not being able to walk away without the "two bits" conclusion, or drawing 80% of a circle and then stopping and walking away, or any other task that sits with a palpable and pervasive unfinished feeling that sits with you like a popcorn skin stuck in your gums or a pebble in your shoe that you just can't ignore.
We don't watch because we hate. We hate that we have to watch. That's what hate watching is to me.
Putting the Super Bowl aside...(probably the best place for it)...
Getting ready to move out of a place we've been in 22 years as the kids are moving on and we can work elsewhere...probably going to unload most everything and it's a smaller place (by design).
Buying more stuff to move during the move? That's advanced, baller consumption. Mentioning that in public undercuts sympathy for your injuries, however. Good luck with the shoulder and groin injury. I lost a year each time I pulled my groin back in my playing days.
I've moved away from hate watching because life is too short. I'd rather spend my time watching something I like, listening to music, or reading than watching something I actively don't enjoy. The only exception is when my wife puts something on and it's not my cup of tea, like The Bachelor. But I can't truly hate watch because I can't discuss the terrible on display.
Hate Watching personified is The Bachelor and all aspects of that franchise. It’s basically resigning yourself into occupying a self loathing state while watching something where the premise is deeply flawed, or where the cynicism and manipulation and lack of respect for the viewer (and talent) is embedded in the production.
However, to be fair, I look at as a ‘higher self’ ‘lower self’ construct. Everyone does it, they just might not be able to admit it, or be willing to articulate it outwardly.
It’s like junk food, which in itself can be ranked from terrible to ‘works for me’ on occasion. Or radio hits, which are saccharin and laden with cheesy musical hooks. It’s cloying, annoying and obvious.
FYI, this isn’t new ground when you consider there’s even a Wikipedia page:
I'm not a hatewatcher, but I'm planning to watch that Jennifer Lopez special — I saw the trailer and it looks so incredibly cheesy that I'm hoping it falls into "so bad it's good" territory. I'm sort of bummed that it drops on the 15th, because otherwise I'd force my husband to watch it with me for Valentine's Day.
I can't discuss moving, furniture, art, television or, quite frankly anything.
I'm gutted. Even through that was arguably the best Super Bowl I've ever seen (as a football game), I wanted #6 sooooooooo bad. The Love Sausage is looking very concerned.
This post was "Aces" (which as the only obscure British reference I could think of)
Oddly with True Detective I did the same thing almost... I turned it back on and I just couldn't do it, maybe I'll give it a third shot soon.
I'm currently in my best desk work setup, which is really just my electric Lazy Boy and my laptop. LOL
I've moved 10 times in my life, yes I just had to count, plus I was a digital nomad for about 6 months during Corvid, my trick (Leave most of the stuff and just by new) Which worked for everything but my kayaks and bike. I would post all the different places but I don't want to bore your readers, which I mainly do anyway.
I hate to hear you losing subscribers, to me this is worth every penny. I'm sure you'll get more soon.
I watch some trash TV because people fascinate me. Love is Blind and the new Couple to Throuple are two I’m currently watching. I don’t consider it hate watching though.
Started True Detective: Night Country tonight. I'm kind of loving Jodie Foster's borderline abusive behavior and the counterpoint of Kali Reis' driven trooper. The physical contrast between them is striking with Foster's petite frame and delicate features and Reis' size and physical power while they both share a strength (though Reis has far more visible empathy). This juxtaposition alone makes me want to see what will happen — and how they'll clash.
I guess I'll see if it all goes downhill in Episode three or four.
The music is kind of great, though...
For me, the line between "hate watching" and "being a completist" is very situational. If the show has no announced end in sight, there's a week between episodes, and the show seems to be spinning its wheels indefinitely, I have no problem dropping it (Lost; Smallville). But if it's a limited series (can we please start calling them miniseries again?) and I'm watching it quickly, I'll blaze through to the end. The two that spring to mind for the latter are Bodyguard (Richard Madden, Keeley Hawes) and London Spy (Ben Whishaw, Jim Broadbent). Both of them started falling apart halfway through, in that way best illustrated by the comedy bit where a driver gets out of their jalopy and a few individual parts fall off sequentially, and then the entire chassis drops to the ground. It really comes down to what my expected investment is, versus my predicted payoff.
I don’t think I am a hate watcher in the sense that I don’t watch anything I expect to hate unless I want to check it out if everybody is raving about it. Case in point: Friday Nights Lights. My attitude was “I’d rather be impaled than watch a show about football”, but I watched the pilot and fell I love with it.
Also, I tend to be a completist and once I start a show, unless it has a million episodes, I want to finish it. Often programs end up growing on me and so I believe it is fair to let them tell their story. Very rarely I detest shows - I can say I truly hated “Taboo” and “Little Birds”, that also left an unpleasant “aftertaste”, but for the most part shows are just “meh”, so I don’t necessarily regret having watched them even if I didn’t like them. Finally some shows are too important to be missed, like “Twin Peaks”. I watched it all and I am glad I did, also I understand what it is significant about it and why it is so much loved, but I can say I liked it. Same with films: I don’t like Fellini, but I watched some of his films because of the cultural aspect of it, if it makes any sense. I have more patience with dramas than with comedy, I must admit.
I hope you moving situation is a bit better.
Watching A Shop for Killers...
...Bale seems nice...
I am stressed out just reading about all your moves, Tim! Hope all the injured are recovering okay.
(This popped into my head 😂: https://youtu.be/dxupN_AdFDg?si=Umpe8k6Rr7kIgdGu)
I got behind on True Detective and am catching up. I just finished episode 4. I like it. But it’s a bit depressing and reminding me that the “noir detective” genre isn’t for me. Regardless of whether it’s well regarded or not. I am going to finish it. Critics (I trust) who have seen the whole series say it ends well. But for me I just need to stay away from this genre in the future. Give me a show that has a sense of humor and moments of levity, please.
I don’t hate watch per se but I am a completist and tend to finish a season even if I am not fully enjoying it. And no, it’s usually not worth it but it’s kind of an OCD thing for me. However I have quit shows. Sometimes in the middle of a scene! So I do have my limits.
So I'm autistic and ADHD (aka AuDHD), and hate watching is very real for me. That being said, I imagine that hate watching is a very different experience for me than what I I imagine it is for most other people (neurotypical or otherwise).
For me, there's a critical mass that is reached (sometimes it's once I've reached the 3rd episode in a 6 episode season, sometimes it's getting to the fourth season of a show after watching the first three seasons, etc) after which I feel compelled to finish the activity. It's like knocking the introductory notes of "shave and a hair cut" on a wooden surface and not being able to walk away without the "two bits" conclusion, or drawing 80% of a circle and then stopping and walking away, or any other task that sits with a palpable and pervasive unfinished feeling that sits with you like a popcorn skin stuck in your gums or a pebble in your shoe that you just can't ignore.
We don't watch because we hate. We hate that we have to watch. That's what hate watching is to me.
Putting the Super Bowl aside...(probably the best place for it)...
Getting ready to move out of a place we've been in 22 years as the kids are moving on and we can work elsewhere...probably going to unload most everything and it's a smaller place (by design).
In a related story, this David Pogue piece that came out recently is pretty dang good if you're also in blowout mode (free to read at the moment): https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/how-we-downsized-and-sold-our-house-without-creating-waste.html
Oh, by the way, the random ‘my life in upheaval’ posts are truly my favorite.
And since TD:NC is only 6 episodes, I’ll finish the run after the last episode airs, since I’m unwilling to play the suspended disbelief game.
A savvy client of mine once coined an applicable term when opening a prized bottle of wine that fell short: ‘anticipointment’.
Buying more stuff to move during the move? That's advanced, baller consumption. Mentioning that in public undercuts sympathy for your injuries, however. Good luck with the shoulder and groin injury. I lost a year each time I pulled my groin back in my playing days.
I've moved away from hate watching because life is too short. I'd rather spend my time watching something I like, listening to music, or reading than watching something I actively don't enjoy. The only exception is when my wife puts something on and it's not my cup of tea, like The Bachelor. But I can't truly hate watch because I can't discuss the terrible on display.
Hate Watching personified is The Bachelor and all aspects of that franchise. It’s basically resigning yourself into occupying a self loathing state while watching something where the premise is deeply flawed, or where the cynicism and manipulation and lack of respect for the viewer (and talent) is embedded in the production.
However, to be fair, I look at as a ‘higher self’ ‘lower self’ construct. Everyone does it, they just might not be able to admit it, or be willing to articulate it outwardly.
It’s like junk food, which in itself can be ranked from terrible to ‘works for me’ on occasion. Or radio hits, which are saccharin and laden with cheesy musical hooks. It’s cloying, annoying and obvious.
FYI, this isn’t new ground when you consider there’s even a Wikipedia page:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hate-watching
I'm not a hatewatcher, but I'm planning to watch that Jennifer Lopez special — I saw the trailer and it looks so incredibly cheesy that I'm hoping it falls into "so bad it's good" territory. I'm sort of bummed that it drops on the 15th, because otherwise I'd force my husband to watch it with me for Valentine's Day.
I can't discuss moving, furniture, art, television or, quite frankly anything.
I'm gutted. Even through that was arguably the best Super Bowl I've ever seen (as a football game), I wanted #6 sooooooooo bad. The Love Sausage is looking very concerned.
This post was "Aces" (which as the only obscure British reference I could think of)
Oddly with True Detective I did the same thing almost... I turned it back on and I just couldn't do it, maybe I'll give it a third shot soon.
I'm currently in my best desk work setup, which is really just my electric Lazy Boy and my laptop. LOL
I've moved 10 times in my life, yes I just had to count, plus I was a digital nomad for about 6 months during Corvid, my trick (Leave most of the stuff and just by new) Which worked for everything but my kayaks and bike. I would post all the different places but I don't want to bore your readers, which I mainly do anyway.
I hate to hear you losing subscribers, to me this is worth every penny. I'm sure you'll get more soon.
I watch some trash TV because people fascinate me. Love is Blind and the new Couple to Throuple are two I’m currently watching. I don’t consider it hate watching though.