# Do you read/watch negative reviews of your favorites? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** tv-shows-scripted, movies\ **Created:** [June 25, 2022, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-watch-negative-reviews-of-your-favorites/966861 "2022-06-25T21:57:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2022, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-watch-negative-reviews-of-your-favorites/966861/1 "2022-06-25T21:57:12Z")
Let’s say you like a movie called “Killer Wombats.” You often rewatch it, you read information about it, etc. One day you see an article or video called “Why Killer Wombats was a bad movie!” Do you read it or click on the link? Or do you skip it? I tend not to look at them just because I like what I like, but perhaps my opinion should be able to hold up to a little criticism or snarky jokes. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2022, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-watch-negative-reviews-of-your-favorites/966861/2 "2022-06-26T03:10:41Z")
I read bad reviews almost exclusively. They are much more fun than good ones. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2022, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-watch-negative-reviews-of-your-favorites/966861/3 "2022-06-26T03:33:37Z")
I do out of curiosity. I think it’s interesting that the one thing I thought made a movie great will be the one thing that someone else thought made the movie terrible. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2022, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-watch-negative-reviews-of-your-favorites/966861/4 "2022-06-26T03:40:20Z")
Not after watching, just before. Unless someone links to one. But yeah, I went to review "_Cuffs"_ a Brit Police procedural on Amazon. One of the leads is shown as a gay man. There are dozens of one star one line reviews complaining only that the show is “woke” and they it is “about gays”. I reported several to Amazon, but they did nothing about the bigoted ignorant reviews. ---
**Author:** ![superwombat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superwombat/32/16616_2.png) [@superwombat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/superwombat)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2022, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-watch-negative-reviews-of-your-favorites/966861/5 "2022-06-26T03:57:50Z")
I like the negative reviews up to a point, once they cross the line from honest review to hot-take-with-an-axe-to-grind then that’s a turn-off. The more tongue-in-cheek ones can be fun, though. I’ve been watching some YouTube channels reviews of the recent Picard and Strange New Worlds seasons, and the ones who end up all boiled over over stupid details quickly got tiresome. ---
**Author:** ![dorvann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df705f/32.png) [@dorvann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorvann)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2022, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-watch-negative-reviews-of-your-favorites/966861/6 "2022-06-26T04:21:55Z")
> [@superwombat](#): > > I’ve been watching some YouTube channels reviews of the recent Picard and Strange New Worlds seasons, and the ones who end up all boiled over over stupid details quickly got tiresome. Trekkies are notorious for nitpicking the shows. There were even Nitpicker’s Guides published in the 90s for the Original Series, Next Generation, and Deep Space Nine. Somewhat related–I watched the entire run of _Star Trek: The Next Generation_ before I got on the Internet to read reviews and criticisms of the show. And I was baffled by the hatred for the character of Wesley Crusher from the show. I never found him to be THAT annoying. I prefer to watch movies/shows in a bubble without reading reviews beforehand that might influence me from making up my own opinions. Afterwards I might read bad reviews but I usually don’t bother. ---
**Author:** ![superwombat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superwombat/32/16616_2.png) [@superwombat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/superwombat)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2022, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-watch-negative-reviews-of-your-favorites/966861/7 "2022-06-26T04:47:00Z")
I watch the reviews after watching the episodes. I’ve read and enjoyed the Nitpicker guides, they were made with a respect for the shows… these latest reviewers are vehemently opposed to the smallest of deviations from canon. (I do agree there are more examples of egregious errors in this era of Trek, especially Discovery) ---
**Author:** ![dorvann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df705f/32.png) [@dorvann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorvann)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2022, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-watch-negative-reviews-of-your-favorites/966861/8 "2022-06-26T04:55:13Z")
Part of the reason I avoid reading negative reviews of hardcore fans of either Star Trek or Marvel is because they are invariably have one of two criticisms that are in opposition to each other: 1. They changed it, it sucks. OR 2. They are just doing the same thing over again. And I just get annoyed how narrow minded these so-called fans can be. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2022, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-watch-negative-reviews-of-your-favorites/966861/9 "2022-06-26T17:40:06Z")
I agree. But given your username and the movie title, I am unsure if your opinion is unaffected… ---
**Author:** ![superwombat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superwombat/32/16616_2.png) [@superwombat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/superwombat)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2022, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-watch-negative-reviews-of-your-favorites/966861/10 "2022-06-26T19:41:03Z")
Given the dearth of choices in marsupial action/horror movies and none in the near to medium future due to the preference of studios to reboot the same things every 4-5 years, I’ll happily throw money at any creative works, just to support the subgenre. …as long as they leave _Kangaroo Jack_ dead in the ground where he belongs (unless it’s done _Willy’s Wonderland_ style, then just maybe…) ---
**Author:** ![Pavelb1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/439d5e/32.png) [@Pavelb1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pavelb1)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2022, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-watch-negative-reviews-of-your-favorites/966861/11 "2022-06-26T19:51:28Z")
Completely agree. The ones that say how horrible the show is…but still watch every episode are the worst. Red Flags: “Woke. Wokity wokewoke wokity woke.” These people see woke boogiemen under their beds. Yes, sometimes a dumb agenda may creep into an episode, but that doesn’t mean every single thing one dislikes is woke. People were calling “Obiwan” woke…and there’s not a fucking thing woke about it. Not grasping “If you don’t like it, don’t watch it.” “It broke canon!!” It’s one thing for Star Trek: Discovery to look more advanced then TNG…its another to cry “Ja Grund Inquishitor cant be dead cuz he diesh in Rebelz!!”…when anyone with a braincell knows he’s not dead!! /rant off ---
**Author:** ![Pavelb1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/439d5e/32.png) [@Pavelb1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pavelb1)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2022, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-watch-negative-reviews-of-your-favorites/966861/12 "2022-06-26T19:57:59Z")
Wesley wasn’t annoying, and towards his end, his real potential was shining. Well…his original costume was annoying. Gawd almost every effort to put people in non-militaristic\* ‘future costumes’ is annoying. Picard and Rikers night-gowns…etc… \*And even then…STOP WITH THE JUMPSUITS. I hated the DS9 costumes. ---
**Author:** ![BrickBat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac91a4/32.png) [@BrickBat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrickBat)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2022, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-watch-negative-reviews-of-your-favorites/966861/13 "2022-06-26T20:22:05Z")
> [@Pavelb1](#): > > Red Flags: “Woke. Wokity wokewoke wokity woke.” These people see woke boogiemen under their beds. Yes, sometimes a dumb agenda may creep into an episode, but that doesn’t mean every single thing one dislikes is woke. Nailed it. I rarely go to a movie chat board that I really used to like for film discussions, to compare notes, and gain info and insights just because of people like that. You can’t swing a stick around without hitting the word “woke”. While that word is used very widely, it’s the whole politicization thing. These people are the absolute embodiment of “_If you’re a hammer, everything looks like a nail_”. Many a good threads I’ve seen ruined by political hijackers. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2022, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-watch-negative-reviews-of-your-favorites/966861/14 "2022-06-26T21:32:12Z")
> [@dorvann](#): > > Trekkies are notorious for nitpicking the shows. There were even Nitpicker’s Guides published in the 90s for the Original Series, Next Generation, and Deep Space Nine. But those were really fun. Not just nitpicking. > [@superwombat](#): > > I’ve read and enjoyed the Nitpicker guides, they were made with a respect for the shows Yes. > [@Pavelb1](#): > > Red Flags: “Woke. Wokity wokewoke wokity woke.” These people see woke boogiemen under their beds. Yes, sometimes a dumb agenda may creep into an episode, but that doesn’t mean every single thing one dislikes is woke. People were calling “Obiwan” woke…and there’s not a fucking thing woke about it. Exactly ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2022, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-watch-negative-reviews-of-your-favorites/966861/15 "2022-06-26T21:40:59Z")
In part because digital marketers, even in recent books, always seemed to use the very dated example of Target and a pregnant woman (despite huge advances in technology, numbers and interest), I have read more about the uses and limitations of digital marketing - and recommend _The Hype Machine_ for a learned and up-to-date discussion. Takeaway: digital marketers have had every incentive to exaggerate their efficacy, often by enormous amounts. P&G showed real limitations in the model and some ways forward. Digital marketing can work very well indeed, but it often succeeds in convincing people already convinced. It often works better in new and unpersuaded markets than in fanboy members of the choir. It can certainly influence elections and convince some people to vote or stay home, but will only make a difference in very close races. Anyway, according to this book, 92% of consumers read reviews. These influence 46% to purchase and 43% to defer a purchase. Only 3% of those who read reviews claim to be unaffected. Presumably negative reviews are preferred by the deferred. The book suggests only 6% of people _write_ reviews. (Channel Advisor Consumer Survey, 2010. Nielsen Survey commissioned by Yelp, Oct. 11, 2019. Websites listed in book.) Do I read negative reviews? Not so much. Very generally, I am interested in the 2 star and 4 star reviews more than the 5s and 1s. It probably depends on the distribution, what is being reviewed, how I feel about that thing and how credible the reviews seem. ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2022, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-watch-negative-reviews-of-your-favorites/966861/16 "2022-06-26T21:50:15Z")
ill read reviews on how horrible something is and then read or watch it anyways sometimes in the spirit of mst3k and sometimes not … But in video games, I read reviews to see what’s messed up about it like game crashing bugs or slowdown type of things … and sometimes ill play something that’s considered a world-class POS just to see the train wreck … ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2022, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-watch-negative-reviews-of-your-favorites/966861/17 "2022-06-26T21:55:02Z")
Sure, I’m interested in other people’s thoughts about creative works, and that includes criticism. I’m more interested in how insightful or interesting the reviews/commentary are, rather than whether it’s pro or against. Separate but related: fandom as an identity - including being intolerant of criticism and identifying with the work/brand/whatever so much that you feel like an attack on it is an attack on you is a psychological trap and doesn’t belong anywhere in a rational society. It’s not new, but it seems like that sort of thinking has become more prevalent recently. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2022, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-watch-negative-reviews-of-your-favorites/966861/18 "2022-06-26T22:00:17Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > One day you see an article or video called “Why Killer Wombats was a bad movie!” Do you read it or click on the link? Or do you skip it? I don’t go out of my way to avoid them, but often I’ll just agree to disagree. “OMG, Moby Dick is soooooo boring!!!” Well, I didn’t think it was particularly boring, but whatevs. Patton Oswalt had a very popular routine about KFC bowls and how they looked so horrible. I dunno, the commercials made it look pretty tasty to me, so I found his routine more puzzling than funny. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2022, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-watch-negative-reviews-of-your-favorites/966861/19 "2022-06-26T22:04:08Z")
Another star from above book: the author did an experiment with a major review site where, before writing reviews, of which there were thousands, there was exposure to a single “thumbs up” or “thumbs down” review in half the subjects. Showing a single positive review increased the likelihood of a positive review by 32% in this one experiment, causing a 25% increase in mean rating. (Science 341, 6146(2013):647-51.) ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2022, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-watch-negative-reviews-of-your-favorites/966861/20 "2022-06-26T22:21:18Z")
Often I do, mostly to make sure I don’t get trapped in a bubble. If people don’t like something I like, I want to see if I’m missing something. They’re almost always wrong, though. 🙂 These days, though, it’s mostly wokety woke woke. I did laugh one time, when I read a negative review of Tombstone, and the reviewer said it was a badly inaccurate movie, and we should all watch Wyatt Earp, which was much better. The I read a neg review of Wyatt Earp that said it was a badly inaccurate movie, and we should all watch Tombstone, which was much better. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-read-watch-negative-reviews-of-your-favorites/966861.md?page=2)