I am so sick of clout chasing, especially by mainstream entertainment companies! I can’t even enjoy a single afternoon without seeing a video thumbnail about how much something sucks!
I don’t mind hearing about constructive criticisms, or people’s opinions. People can like what they like even if I or others think it’s trash. I find myself liking TV such as some of the first episodes of She-Hulk despite some cringey dialogue. I know some people I interact with don’t feel the same way; and I’m cool with that.
But then people go on and throw spit wads at something popular without trying to look for nuance. Or worse outright lie about something just to moon the kind of people they’re against… I’m seeing way too much of that!
It’s not even just shows like Rings of Power or Velma; let alone a few comics with panels meant only to create memes for reactionaries to provide free advertising. I saw videos saying things like the declining quality of the Nostalgia Critic; he’s a YouTuber named Doug Walker who led the charge of Channel Awesome. I didn’t actually see the video but I know how much of an influence Doug is to other YouTubers including Channel Awesome alumni like Lewis “Linkara” Lovhaug. I’m gonna end this here because I’m just gonna talk out of my end without any context.
Obligatory Disclaimer
I’m sure some of these reactionaries come from some place of love. But what some people love about something isn’t always shared with others. In fact some people might not even understand a point that was hidden. Kind of like The Last of Us Part II on exploring how empathy can drive people to do some pretty messed up things.
Back To The… (Drinking Strong Tea)
But the problem is, I’m seeing too many instances of what Gabe Hernandez calls Fantagonism. See more of that in his post.
Examples
I mean mainstream media companies don’t make content out of famous IPs without knowing there are a lot of followers. Especially since Discovery Warner wanted to combine Scooby-Doo content with modern sitcom actors. He-he-he…!
Well screw that premise! Velma’s pilot and overall setting is basically a vanity project for Discovery Warner to shake their mooning butts at everybody like skinheads. Every cartoon reviewer I follow hated everything about it except how some of the voice actors put in the effort to not just use their regular voices. I’d summarize, but it’s not even worth the effort to get frustrated at.
And the medium I immerse myself in, comics. Just click the link above and you’ll have a better idea of my frustrations. Might as well click this one too:
Because I am not going to repeat myself.
It Was Different When It Was Independent Creators
The thing that annoys me about today’s familiar entertainment is how it tries to emulate new media gimmicks without context. The lampshading trends for example feels like companies are trying to put reaction videos in their products. But unlike creators trying to interact with their viewers, it can feel pretentious. Like they’re trying to protect themselves from criticism.
Or when creatives try to make comic panels into meme material because their publishers won’t put in the effort for effective marketing.
On that same note, when reporters/influencers make these memes they can outright lie about the content to make their 15 minutes of fame. Usually with buzzwords and current events. But I’m not ready to rant about that yet.
How Rick and Morty Got Through It
One of the only shows I still watch on TV Rick and Morty perfectly captures this feeling. There were times where episodes feel like they were made just to get under commentators’ skin. Such as the universally reviled incest baby episode Rickdepence Spray. Even the creators admit it was made flying by the seat of their pants. But they rolled with it as a way of owning their slip-ups.
By the next season, things for the most part humbled out. Most likely because just stopped reacting to people. Best shown in the Flamingo Dad episode. Things still get pretty weird and transgressive, but in a fun way.
I Am Done With The Mainstream/Triple A
Well… mostly.
The more I see the familiar IPs and franchise startups, the more tired I feel. There’s next to no effort made in the niches I enjoy.
Video games made by non-triple AAA studios are some of the only ones that I like. But… I still like my Switch and the Nintendo games I can play on it. I don’t even need a Switch Online service to enjoy it. Unlike other console makers who want to make their own live services to maximize short-term profit over gameplay. (I still enjoy you my precious PS5.)
I am also an animation fan with the most shows I watch are in that medium. Don’t judge me! I’ll take Helluva Boss over the Simpsons or anything made by Seth MacFarlane and his imitators in a heartbeat. Why do most corporate shows have to encourage creative laziness?!
That’s also why I found most reality shows and sitcoms to be boring. I am convinced that networks want shows made with the least amount of effort. The only Live-Action shows I’d want to watch need action like Barry. And not surprises/twists for its own sake like The Walking Dead! Invincible will rise above you in Skybound properties!
And of course Comic Books… I think I found a concrete reason why I focus on the “mainstream” comics that fall between the cracks of popularity. Not because there’s a niche to exploit for profit, I’ve seen the data. It’s because some of the A-Listers are made with varying effort, exploiting characters’ popularity over telling a good story. That and the constant events have burned me out as much as the creatives, the editors, and everybody who isn’t an executive in these big publishers.
I still check the Top Comics on Comic Book Roundup to see if any of these A-Listers are worth my time and even that varies.
That’s why I put so much into spotlighting the alternatives and the indies; everybody else is following existing algorithms and trends. I’m okay with spoilers on the “Comic News” websites like CBR. But a lot of series spotlighted on them are just clickbait. Besides these same websites put more effort into posts about TV, Movies, Anime, and Games more than comics. Because they would rather maximize visitor interactions with trending content.
So there you have it, every major player in the entertainment world is trying to maximize their short-term profits over a good plan. With very few exceptions that’re hardly even rewarded. I’m just too tired to support these fields any longer.
I am going to focus on the quiet moments where I don’t feel pressure about anything. The absurd little things like eating a sandwich in a parking garage outside your car to avoid mustard stains on the seat. All before your meter runs out while feeling the cold air on your face. Nothing to worry about, just moments of pure bliss.