Is it still “normal” to say TV series? With streaming services and the ability to binge watch anything at any time, TV has changed. The anticipation of the next show a week later and those end-of-season cliffhangers, watching TV was fun. Now you can get everything all at once.
Even before streaming became popular, I had some favorites and didn’t start watching some shows until they ended. I caught re-runs on other networks and figured out why they were so popular.
I started watching Cheers during late night treadmill workouts during college. It never appealed to me when it aired. Seemed too grown up. It took place at a bar; I never went to bars. On the treadmill though, it made the time pass faster and it was funny.
Other shows I’ve watched past their prime: Seinfeld, Mad About You, Frasier, 3rd Rock From the Sun, The Office, Stranger Things, and most recently, Gilmore Girls-I actually watched all seven seasons.
I picked up Young Sheldon last summer, and I’m somewhere near the front end of season two. My sister suggested Parenthood and This Is Us. I started Parenthood years ago, lost interest and then it disappeared from wherever I streamed it. I started watching This Is Us this past fall and the writing is incredible. I’m a hot blubbery mess after almost every episode and I’m not an easy crier. Where was I when this show started?
Grad school. I was knee deep in grad school. My TV watching days were numbered once I started teaching, (adios, Friends) became a mom, (Gilmore Girls and adios McDreamy) and got into grad school. Other shows I missed that most people watched: Game of Thrones, Breaking Bad, The Big Bang Theory, Downton Abbey, Orange Is the New Black, and Parks and Recreation among others.
Earlier this week while we had some down time, I started watching Yellowstone. Now I’m hooked. I’m not sure how long it will take for me to finish it, but it was saved to my watch list a while back. I’m almost finished with season 6 of the Crown. I roped my mom in on this series so I’m waiting to binge watch again on her next visit. I’ll continue with This Is Us. As far as Yellowstone goes, my husband is also enjoying it. We’ll need to pick up another episode this weekend before we forget where we left off.
Nerds Beget Nerds 
So fun to hear about the series you’re enjoying (even if you come to them late). I’ve never watched most these, but would like to watch This Is Us.
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Alice,
College and grad school do interfere w/ tv watching. Babies do too. I always cared more about sleep than sitting in front of a tv. I’m old so I remember the pre-screening days well and certain shows being talking points the following day at school. Twin Peaks was one such show. I watch too much tv now that I’m retired. The only streaming network I know that keeps viewers waiting week to week is HBO (Max). My husband and I are hooked on The Pitt and groan when the week’s episode ends.
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Glenda, Twin Peaks is a show I always wanted to watch, but I didn’t stick with it. I watched a few episodes, but it’s on my list now along with all the others. I keep reminding myself it’s another story format so it really isn’t “wasting time” if you’re drawn to the story.
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I’m so glad you found This is Us! I watched it live, when I had to wait for a new episode each week and deal with the cliffhangers at the end of the season, and I’ve since rewatched the entire series online. I think it’s one of the best written shows out there…and yes, it will make you cry nearly every episode, but it’s so worth it!
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I’m on season 4, but now I want to start over and, ahem, take notes, lol! Can you imagine, annotating a TV show? But it’s so good! I have been known to hit the pause button just to write great lines.
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Although I don’t write much about TV, it is a BIG part of my world. I love TV. There were years when I didn’t have a tv (before streaming services) and so I missed a lot of shows that I caught up with later. I still have a tendency not to watch a show when it’s current but to catch up later, which also means I don’t have to wait for new seasons or new episodes.
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I occasionally have run into the spoilers situation, but I tend to watch shows so many years after they aired, people have almost forgotten about them. It’s like getting spoilers for books. You need context. Even though you know something is coming, you’re there at the moment and it clicks. I’m looking forward to catching up on some this summer.
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