Creative television viewing

[bop_radar]

I have a double-digit list of posts I want to make but no time in which to write them up. :( Yet, I am feeling chatty today so I will post something completely useless.

Contrary to the impression given by my absence from this journal most of last year, I am actually still watching some TV shows. In fact, in the last year I have adopted creative strategies for enhancing the viewing experience of several of them. For instance, did you know that:
- Legend of the Seeker is infinitely more enjoyable if you place a candelabra (the more serious and gothic the better) beside the TV screen while watching it?
- Merlin is the perfect Sunday night TV to half watch over dinner? (It really makes ZERO sense to me as a show when it's not on a Sunday night at 7:30.)
- The Vampire Diaries is greatly improved by watching it in a park at night? When I was still all 'meh' about this show at the start of the first season, supacat insisted on the necessity of watching it outside. Preferably on a hillside with a city skyline view and the dusk bats flying overhead. Seriously, entirely new viewing experience. Cushions and fish and chips assist with comfort levels. My dog greatly approves of this change in our viewing routine as it allows him to roam around outside for longer.
- True Blood is improved with red wine and trashy food of any variety? This one's a no-brainer, but does mean I can only watch in moderation. ;)

I require no added incentive to watch Community, so I don't have a strategy for that one, other than download quickly, watch, laugh.

Smallville, on the other hand, has required countless innovations over the years. There was a brief glory period where supacat and I discovered a flourless, orange cake thing we dubbed 'Clark cake' (it tasted like Clark), but then the bakery stopped making it. :( A before-and-after strategy helps somewhat. For instance, fortifying with Indian takeaway beforehand and taking a ranty walk around the park afterwards. A dog on one's lap is also comforting. Due no doubt partly to the fact it sounds similar to 'park' (and to the fact he associates it with both walks and cuddles), Bob Bob now cocks his head and wags his tail when I say 'Clark'. Bless!

But here's where I'm stumped: what the heck is going to make Hellcats more watchable? Because apparently I'm loyal enough to Tommy to download that crazy shit. *blinks* This is going to require a whole new thing...

Suggestions?! Does anyone else have crazy viewing rituals to improve your TV experience, or is it just me?

Comments

[mresundance.livejournal.com]

I don't have viewing rituals, but this post has convinced me I should! :D

Mostly I just talk to the TV screen and respond OUT LOUD in embarrasing running commentary. Especially if my mom is not around, or the other people watching it with me don't mind/are fandom geeks who do the same. Unless it's Supernatural. Nothing ever really dampens my love of that show, not even the company of people who are disconcerted by my absolute geekery.

One of these days I am really tempted to record my commentary, because I think it would be completely ridiculous.

Which reminds me, I have to set up a friend!date with a co-worker who is also a Supernatural fan. We were going to watch some of the fifth season which just came out on DVD. OMG, it would be so fun to watch it with her! :D

[dm-wyatt.livejournal.com]

I watched Hellcats last night and it was better than I had expected.

No, it's probably not the best thing on TV, it was uneven and tended to use expository dialog more than show things, but it was entertaining.

No way any of those 'college kids' are even close to being college aged. They look 30, most of them.

The premise isn't the best, it's one that is seriously a suspension-of-disbelief wrecking ball, but the cast is attractive and likable and the writing is pretty good, for the most part. The cheer routines were well-choreographed and there were some points where I actually laughed out loud.

I think if you look at it like it was just something fun and not too serious, Glee with cheer leaders, I think you'll be okay.

Maybe, eat some marshmallows (light, fluffy and insubstantial) while you watch?

*winks*

I'm going to keep watching for the time-being. Unless they totally screw up and make the same episode over and over again like Life Unexpected did, I think it will do well. It was The CW's highest rated show in the time slot like almost ever.

Only the series premiere of Gossip Girl got better ratings in the slot.

It's not art by any stretch, but it was enjoyable.

[mresundance.livejournal.com]

ALSO: True Blood!

Try watching that one with a roomful of fangirls (and one fanboy) whooping and hollering and consuming a little alcohol and eating yummy snacks. It is an experience that cannot be paralleled. I am not still reeling over how much fun that was!

I MISS MY VVC TRUE BLOOD PEEPS.

[norwich36.livejournal.com]

It was fun reading about your viewing rituals. Though I'm afraid I have no suggestions for how to watch Hellcats. (My second job is being so insane this year I'm wondering if I'll ever have time to watch tv again).

[fleegull.livejournal.com]

The only way to truly enjoy True Blood is to get drunk, this post reminded me to call my cousin and see if she wants to watch the finale here...with plenty of wine to keep the laughs flowing.

I written before how much more I get out of Mad Men when I watch it with my mother, who was working at that same time in NYC. Last week she got all indignant when Don said that men purchased suitcases, not women. She was always taking trips with her friends and she bought her own suitcases and when she got married, she was always the one buying suitcases for the family. That and the fact that she makes a stinkface every time Pete is on the screen, if it's possible, she hates him even more than I do.

[duskwillow.livejournal.com]

Your tv show watching habits are fun! I especially like TVD park one! Hee!

I usually watch everything by myself. Because I tend to yell at my monitor and stuff, but don't like to get distracted by someone starting a conversation or something. And I always have coca cola and some snacks near by.
Some shows I watch while commenting online with my tv show watching partner in crime, so we usually log on on google chat and snark while watching (we always did that with Prison Break, and now Chuck).
And I also enjoy watching live with my friends, with lots of snacks and soda and some booze (depending on how bad the show is), but we don't get to do that often. But that's probably most fun, because it's always awesome when you have someone to fangirl, squee & snark with live. :D

Hellcats should be turned into a drinking game. Every time new song starts playing one should take a sip. That way you're pleasantly tipsy halfway through, and can ignore bad acting. :D
I expected it to suck, so I ended up mostly enjoying it. So I think the trick is to not set your expectations high.

[elli.livejournal.com]

My only ritual is the fast forward button.. for scenes and characters I can live without. And I'm working while watching.

I think you are more creative than I am though.

I feel I enjoy my Tv more if all the hoursework is done as well. But it is more a guilt and reward thing.

[goodvibe.livejournal.com]

Aw, Community. I just got in to it recently and am loving it so far. Troy and Abed, in particular, are hysterical together.

And Merlin is good fun - best not to think too much about it, but good fun nonetheless, heh.

[svgurl.livejournal.com]

LOL I love your viewing strategies! That sounds awesome. :)

and to the fact he associates it with both walks and cuddles), Bob Bob now cocks his head and wags his tail when I say 'Clark'. Bless!
That's just too adorable. :D

Oh man, I want to support Tom, but I can't help you with Hellcats. I wish I could want to watch it but I can't seem to muster up any interest. Good luck!