I Don't Like TV Shows Anymore, HELP!

[x Tame Impala]

Ever since the lockdown back in March I can't for the life of me get into TV shows anymore. There's no more immersion and it makes every show I watch seem dumb. All I see when I'm watching now are two people reading lines and it all seems so silly.

It started with "The Walking Dead", which i've heard was a really cool show the first 4 seasons or so and then gets really dumb. I got about 3 or so seasons in (I think a little bit past the "Governor" drama") and when I watch I can't help but think about how the scenes and dialogue is set up. It's not just TWD, I started watching Dexter for the first time a week ago and it's the same thing. This show is apparently really good in a lot of people's eyes but I still can't get immersed.

All I can focus on is how most scenes are these dramatic conversations between two actors. They usually are off somewhere by themselves, the other character comes near them with something to say, and then they turn their backs, gaze into the distance, and say their lines. It all looks so dumb to me!

I don't want to be a cynical douche. I'm really trying here. Has this happened to any of you?

 

[Eisen]

Ever since the lockdown back in March I can't for the life of me get into TV shows anymore. There's no more immersion and it makes every show I watch seem dumb. All I see when I'm watching now are two people reading lines and it all seems so silly.

It started with "The Walking Dead", which i've heard was a really cool show the first 4 seasons or so and then gets really dumb. I got about 3 or so seasons in (I think a little bit past the "Governor" drama") and when I watch I can't help but think about how the scenes and dialogue is set up. It's not just TWD, I started watching Dexter for the first time a week ago and it's the same thing. This show is apparently really good in a lot of people's eyes but I still can't get immersed.

All I can focus on is how most scenes are these dramatic conversations between two actors. They usually are off somewhere by themselves, the other character comes near them with something to say, and then they turn their backs, gaze into the distance, and say their lines. It all looks so dumb to me!

I don't want to be a cynical douche. I'm really trying here. Has this happened to any of you?

Walking Dead is not a good show after the novelty wears off. I can see how that happened with that show. Never watched Dexter, but I know the general idea. Doesn't seem very enticing either. Try different shows.

 

[Ducks in a row]

Try cartoons like Batman The Animated Series and X-Men The Animated series for example.

 

[saluki]

I was in the same situation as you maybe 5-6 years ago. I couldn't get into anything.

Then I was sick in bed for a few days and started Prison Break on a whim. The first season is just fantastic and its one of the most bingeable seasons Ive ever watched.

I watched all of S1 in like 2 days while I was recovering. It recharged my TV watching.

Two other recent shows that "recharged" me: Narcos and Devs. I couldn't sleep one night and started Narcos at like 1 in the morning. Before I knew it it was 8 am.

 

[Shareefruck]

Personally, I've always found the immersion and escapism/distracting yourself from reality side of entertainment to be a mostly overrated and pointless waste of time in the first place, so the way I see it, if you start to see through that and notice the strings behind them, great! Good riddance-- it's probably the least valuable thing about a TV show. Try to hold onto that feeling, stop watching shows as a thrilling simulation/rollercoaster ride (which is pretty much all there is to something like Walking Dead), and start watching them to admire how deftly/endearingly the strings are being pulled and to soak in the ideas being expressed, how eloquently they're delivered, and how full of personality they are instead, IMO.

 

[Osprey]

I feel you. I have the same problem. It's hard for me to watch anything anymore without analyzing it and imagining it being made. I'll see the characters as actors reciting memorized lines, I'll admire the sets or the logistics involved in closing down public locations, I'll wonder how the cameraman got the shot, I'll try to determine which parts of the screen are CGI, I'll imagine how effects artists created the effects or what products were used to make the gore in horror movies and on and on. The older that I get and the more that I understand about the filmmaking process, the less immersive that movies and shows become. It's just the way that it is, but it'd be nice to forget all of that and watch with wide eyes like a kid again.

 

[kihei]

Ever since the lockdown back in March I can't for the life of me get into TV shows anymore. There's no more immersion and it makes every show I watch seem dumb. All I see when I'm watching now are two people reading lines and it all seems so silly.

It started with "The Walking Dead", which i've heard was a really cool show the first 4 seasons or so and then gets really dumb. I got about 3 or so seasons in (I think a little bit past the "Governor" drama") and when I watch I can't help but think about how the scenes and dialogue is set up. It's not just TWD, I started watching Dexter for the first time a week ago and it's the same thing. This show is apparently really good in a lot of people's eyes but I still can't get immersed.

All I can focus on is how most scenes are these dramatic conversations between two actors. They usually are off somewhere by themselves, the other character comes near them with something to say, and then they turn their backs, gaze into the distance, and say their lines. It all looks so dumb to me!

I don't want to be a cynical douche. I'm really trying here. Has this happened to any of you?

That's not necessarily a bad thing at all. Think of the possibilities you have to explore other things or develop a hobby or learn a new language or two for all the countries you will visit when this horror show is over. Rediscover books, too. Enjoy new perspectives and opportunities. It's all good.

 

[kook10]

Happens all the time. It is the nature of tv and production in general that makes it all end up similar. Maybe check out some classic movies to change the pace. I dove into Turner Classic Movies on HBO Max during the lockdown. There are plenty of great things. Something like Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf was a great watch - written for the stage, challenging, and entirely different than the formula of episodic tv.

And FYI on tv now - The Queen's Gambit is very good and different.

 

[BigBadBruins7708]

I mean, not to be that guy, but The Wire might cure what ails you.

I've also found mini series break that mold too. Try Chernobyl or Waco (truly great btw).

Overall Im in the same boat, I cant watch the mindless TV production style either

 

[holy]

Since the pandemic started I wanted to get into some tv shows. Only two I enjoyed were Shameless and Fargo.

Watching shit is overrated anyways. I’m more of a music lover, but even music is pretty meh these days. I’m alright with it though, probably ought to be doing something more interesting with my time.

 

[Eisen]

Happens all the time. It is the nature of tv and production in general that makes it all end up similar. Maybe check out some classic movies to change the pace. I dove into Turner Classic Movies on HBO Max during the lockdown. There are plenty of great things. Something like Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf was a great watch - written for the stage, challenging, and entirely different than the formula of episodic tv.

And FYI on tv now - The Queen's Gambit is very good and different.

Who's afraid of Virginia Woolf is one of the most painful pieces I know, not because it's bad but because of how the characters treat each other.

 

[kook10]

Who's afraid of Virginia Woolf is one of the most painful pieces I know, not because it's bad but because of how the characters treat each other.

I agree, but therein lies its challenge. It's not just superficial dialogue - it is cutting, provoking, and causes a visceral response. It would give the kick in the pants Mr/Mrs Impala might be looking for.

I didn't know that going in - all I knew was it was nominated for 13 academy awards and had Elizabeth Taylor (of Michael Jackson fame ) and Richard Burton in it. Having been bored over the summer too I just ran through a bunch of classic movies that I had heard of, and was familiar with their critical appeal, but never knew what the fuss was about. Lawrence of Arabia, Treasure of the Sierra Madre, Barry Lyndon, My Dinner With Andre, Badlands, Sophie's Choice, Parallax View, etc . I didn't fall in love with them all by any means, but they piqued my interest and filled out some gaps of context of the movies.

 

[montreal]

Ever since the lockdown back in March I can't for the life of me get into TV shows anymore. There's no more immersion and it makes every show I watch seem dumb. All I see when I'm watching now are two people reading lines and it all seems so silly.

It started with "The Walking Dead", which i've heard was a really cool show the first 4 seasons or so and then gets really dumb. I got about 3 or so seasons in (I think a little bit past the "Governor" drama") and when I watch I can't help but think about how the scenes and dialogue is set up. It's not just TWD, I started watching Dexter for the first time a week ago and it's the same thing. This show is apparently really good in a lot of people's eyes but I still can't get immersed.

All I can focus on is how most scenes are these dramatic conversations between two actors. They usually are off somewhere by themselves, the other character comes near them with something to say, and then they turn their backs, gaze into the distance, and say their lines. It all looks so dumb to me!

I don't want to be a cynical douche. I'm really trying here. Has this happened to any of you?

try watching this as south park might have the answer,

You're Getting Old

 

[Canadiens Ghost]

Count your blessings that you have weaned yourself off from the boob tube. Now go do something interesting/useful with your life.

 

[Prairie Habs]

Try something else then, I've been crushing a bunch of Graphic Audios lately. They're audio books with full casts, score, and sound effects. I would recommend anything written by Brandon Sanderson.

 

[ItsFineImFine]

Meh films are better imo, I watch them in TV show chunks if I can't see the whole thing at once.

 

[Sens]

Try something else then, I've been crushing a bunch of Graphic Audios lately. They're audio books with full casts, score, and sound effects. I would recommend anything written by Brandon Sanderson.

I just did sandman... highly recommended

 

[S E P H]

I'm with the OP as well, every single show that people hype up never ever captures my attention; Breaking Bad, anything made by HBO, or popularly acclaimed series always turns out to be very average or mediocre to me. I started watching Stranger Things and even though it isn't necessarily bad per se, I am struggling to finish it. I liked Boardwalk Empire and I dropped it like five years ago and I haven't even missed it at all either. The only one I finished which is in this type of genre was Revenge and that was meh at best as well. There are some great television shows out there, but depends on what it is.

If there is one recommendation I would give is Chuck, it's a fun TV show.

 

[Rabid Ranger]

There's not much on television these days worth watching. I enjoyed Raised by Wolves. Like The Mandalorian. Food Network. Lol.

 

[Pranzo Oltranzista]

Ever since the lockdown back in March I can't for the life of me get into TV shows anymore. There's no more immersion and it makes every show I watch seem dumb. All I see when I'm watching now are two people reading lines and it all seems so silly.

It started with "The Walking Dead", which i've heard was a really cool show the first 4 seasons or so and then gets really dumb. I got about 3 or so seasons in (I think a little bit past the "Governor" drama") and when I watch I can't help but think about how the scenes and dialogue is set up. It's not just TWD, I started watching Dexter for the first time a week ago and it's the same thing. This show is apparently really good in a lot of people's eyes but I still can't get immersed.

All I can focus on is how most scenes are these dramatic conversations between two actors. They usually are off somewhere by themselves, the other character comes near them with something to say, and then they turn their backs, gaze into the distance, and say their lines. It all looks so dumb to me!

I don't want to be a cynical douche. I'm really trying here. Has this happened to any of you?

Lots of my favorite cineasts work real hard to operate this distanciation you're suffering from. Might as well get into their work, it's the first step to enjoy their depth (Raoul Ruiz, Alain Robbe-Grillet, the best films of both Ferrara and DePalma...). This position might get you to really appreciate a series like Too Old To Die Young where the pace will have the same distanciative results and puts you in a position to appreciate the (amazing) aesthetics - that's my big recommandation if you haven't seen it.

If what you're looking for is to recover the lost joys of narrative immersion, I'd go with Friday Night Live. It's really a great series. You might feel the directorial decisions at times, but they mostly don't break your involvement with the stories.

As for TWD, it really suffered from Darabont's departure after Season 1. Please stay away from that new teen spinoff they launched a few weeks ago, it's terrible.

 

[Osprey]

Count your blessings that you have weaned yourself off from the boob tube. Now go do something interesting/useful with your life.

Don't be silly. There are still lots of other ways to waste one's life: movies, sports, video games, YouTube, alcohol, drugs, porn. The OP has many options to try before resorting to doing something useful.

 

[EXTRAS]

You probably had covid and didn't know it. I've heard a side effect is tv immersion dysphoria. Seek help immediately. I'd suggest the good doctor, your closest er, or really any human wearing scrubs.

 

[Know Your Enemy]

I don't enjoy anything anymore. Not even music. All I do is drink beer. Sad life indeed

 

[DoyleG]

Look at some of the overseas streaming services that have good content as well.

Britbox
MHZ World
Viki (Pan-Asian)

 

[SniperHF]

All I can focus on is how most scenes are these dramatic conversations between two actors. They usually are off somewhere by themselves, the other character comes near them with something to say, and then they turn their backs, gaze into the distance, and say their lines. It all looks so dumb to me!

Most TV is dialog heavy, dialog is cheaper

You're probably screwed for the most part. You might like The Mandalorian if you tolerate/like Star Wars. Action adventure series, dialog lite.

I've also found mini series break that mold too. Try Chernobyl or Waco (truly great btw).

Yes this is a good call. less commitment, sometimes less dialog

Mini-series are great pallet cleansers IMO and there are some really good ones out there these days. Haven't seen Chernobyl yet but Waco was indeed really good.

The People Vs OJ Simpson has a lot of dialog but it's mostly about lawyers so there probably should be a lot of dialog yes? Good show. Godless and Hatfields and McCoys are some other good ones.