If you’re like me, fewer TV shows grab you now-too much politics, product placement, or tired themes repackaged to hook us. Half the time’s spent dodging ads, heading to the fridge, or chatting. We’re rewatching older gems for real entertainment. Sure, plenty of top streaming series shine-some deliver in spades! With fifty-hour workweeks plus commute, we only stream what’s worth it. What’s your go-to binge watch? Just because we enjoyed a show in the past though, what makes a remake better. We grew up and may not care two cents there is a remake, if anything we may be horrified since who could replace our beloved actors and actresses?
The 24/7 news cycle-thanks to cable and internet-ruins too many favorite movies or shows when we uncover horrific behind-the-scenes scandals targeting beloved celebs. What started as escapism turns sour. Reality TV? Just noise about who’s sleeping with whom or their politics-I tune out. But when an actor or actress who rarely tweets suddenly speaks up politically, I listen. We won’t always agree, but hey, it didn’t fall on deaf ears. After all: the loudest celeb scandals drown out real voices. Which stars still stay above the fray?
The internet has some very good short films made by some very talented individuals. These are films that those involved with are enthusiastic about the project. Some of the short horror films will have you checking the windows and all the locks on your doors. Some are downright original. Now saying that, some are rough around the edges. Heck, you know that some fan tributes are better than many shows since they condense favorite scenes into a few minutes. This applies to music, I have heard some downright talented voices on the net and wonder, where are their multi-million-dollar contracts? Some are probably making way more money than us but still, talent is talent and passion is passion.
One of the reasons we have so much of our lives invested in entertainment is escapism.
We spend more time at work-and with coworkers-than anyone else in our lives, so no surprise we’re desperate for great TV. We want actors who distract us from spreadsheets, remind us we’re not alone, and hey, maybe even keep their mouths shut. Self-control sells. Plenty of talented celebs I’d happily crack a beer with in the backyard-others I’d ghost invite because of the scandals or ego. Thing is, I always discover them late: right when their best show gets cancelled or the band implodes. Sound familiar?
In the end we want stories, not sermons. Switch channels the second it turns into TED talk hour. Because let’s be honest-most of us aren’t sipping drinks on Monday; we’re back at it after two days eaten by laundry, kids, dogs, dinners. Side rant: anyone else noticed everyone’s neck sloping forward like avocados ripening? Cell phone syndrome-real talk. So naming a single favorite show? Nah. Would you?