I like to be surprised so whenever there is a new show that Mrs. Cad and I are going to watch and the stepson has already seen the first episodes, I leave the room because they’re conversation will be full of spoilers.
Only if I get sick of watching something and just want to get to the end.
I just want to know the basic plot structure. I want neither some stuffy, anally retentive critic nor some shameless promoting shill prejudicing my opinion one way or the other before I have a chance to judge it for myself.
I don’t read what the critics say unless it’s included in Wikipedia, but if it is, I take it with a grain of salt. (Two TV critics can stand outside and disagree about whether it’s raining or not.) My decision to dive in is based on reading the storyline and learning about the characters. If the story or the main characters don’t interest me, I pass on it, regardless of what critics might say.
I can see most people don’t want spoilers and therefore don’t read episode synopses before watching the show. I get that, but I have invested too much time in shows where I lost interest after the second or third season, and I’ve learned how to avoid that by knowing how the story plays out. After a while, I’ve forgotten the spoilers, and I am just as surprised as anybody else.
I actively avoid any info on the plot or storyline of a new-to-me-series. I only want to know the general setting and how the show has been regarded generally, since they determine my level of interest. I can’t fathom undermining my entertainment on purpose by checking out the twists n’ turns ahead etc.
If and when a show turns sour after a season or three, I can’t see how that would make the first season or three a waste of time / effort. It fulfilled its purpose just fine, until it didn’t.
About half of my recent shows came from two recent threads here. One was on dramedies and the other was cozy mysteries. Both are along the lines of what we watch. I made a list and stated watching them. Some lasted 30 seconds and some became a regular.
I’ve also looked at the “you may also like” recommendations and chose whether or not to watch based on the little blurb. Again they got the 30 second to regular treatment.
What makes you give up on a show after 30 seconds?
I can’t speak for Author_Balk, but for me, it’s either terrible writing, bad acting, a stupid/confusing story, technically flawed (e.g., camera, lighting, sound), or a combination of those factors. I’m a bit more generous than Author_Balk… I will give it 10 minutes before switching to something else.
The 30 second comment may be a little of an exaggeration, but it doesn’t take long to know the type of show it is. For example, I don’t watch westerns - and may have missed out on a show or two that I may like. It only takes a minute to know it’s a western.