TV programs you're watching?

[neilm]

Originally Posted by Nanuq

Did anyone see the Horizon documentary about Tony Slattery? It was about his struggle with mental health and substance abuse. I remember him from his heyday, he always seemed really hyper, though it turns out he had a coke addiction so that may have been part of it. In the documentary he came across as quite a confused, troubled but warm hearted person, I really felt for him and hope his life improves.

Yep, happened to be flicking through channels and came across it about half way through.

Poor bloke was really in a bad way, I didnt recognize him it all until his name was mentioned....

[Mo34]

I've just watched it. Although it was very interesting, at times I almost wish I hadn't

On a side note how can Tony Slattery be 60? - I feel old.

[Percy]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episod...-tony-slattery

I haven't seen it yet.

[Mike.Kzov]

Originally Posted by Jen.

Yes, it is basically the "quiet rich girl falls in love with popular poor boy" trope, trying to disguise its convention by using desaturated colour grading and slow cutting. Maybe I haven't given it enough of a chance and I'm being unfair, but I think seeing 2/12 episodes should be enough to judge something. I didn't read much of the highly-rated book either because it annoyed me. Could be a case of it coming out at the right time.

You're quite right. I had to read the entirety of the book, and that's precisely what it is too. A thoroughly conventional, predictable work that tries to sell itself as something more with edgy sex scenes and pap psychology.

And I'm watching Louis Theroux's many documentaries on Netflix again.

[Jen.]

Does anyone else watch Terrace House?

Hana Kimura from the current series died earlier today. She was only 22. She'd been relentlessly bullied online during the last few months over her appearance and ethnicity, with people telling her to kill herself on social media whenever she posted anything. Her Instagram stories had become quite dark recently as she'd started to agree with the comments. She was probably my favourite person to ever appear on the show - she was always so fun, energetic and positive whenever she was on screen

[Tembo]

I also tried watching Normal People, as I keep hearing about it. Really not my thing, and I don’t understand the hype. Like Dougella says, I don’t find dramas about conventional relationships interesting. Also, I’m not really a fan of slow dramas anyway, I need a bit of humour. That’s probably why I like Killing Eve.

I’m still enjoying the 3rd series of Killing Eve. I was unsure I would, as was concerned that it would lose some of its spark, but still really good. I like the way it is made, and the humour in it.
I probably sound ‘uncool’ for saying it, but I feel a bit uneasy about how it glamorises psychopaths - you’re made to feel on Villanelle’s side and feel sympathy for her. Just saying!

[Dougella]

^ I agree, Killing Eve has all the elements of a good drama. I was a bit worried about feeling too much sympathy for Villainelle, but every time she kills someone so easily it still makes me wince so I think I'm ok

[Percy]

Originally Posted by Jen.

Does anyone else watch Terrace House?

Hana Kimura from the current series died earlier today. She was only 22. She'd been relentlessly bullied online during the last few months over her appearance and ethnicity, with people telling her to kill herself on social media whenever she posted anything. Her Instagram stories had become quite dark recently as she'd started to agree with the comments. She was probably my favourite person to ever appear on the show - she was always so fun, energetic and positive whenever she was on screen

I've just read the news piece. Disgusting that she was bullied in the way she was.

[blancmange]

Originally Posted by Mo34

Its called Homicide Squad Atlanta - it's only available through the crime and investigation subscription. I was only going to do the free trial but .....
There's a good Bill Cosby doc on there too.

Oh damn, I don't have that, and I've run out of true crime docs

[Merritt]

Just watched that documentary about Tony Slattery. I got quite tearful at a certain bit where he talks about his past.

Spoilered just because it's a bit heavy for this thread

It's difficult to hear about trauma like that for the obvious empathy reasons, but it also stirs up a lot of ugly feelings in me. When someone's issues have a clear, unambiguous flashpoint like that, I can't help actually feeling jealous of them, and sort of fantasising about having had something horrible happen to me in my past that I could blame for derailing my life. The lack of anything significantly bad having happened to me, and yet still turning out like I have, makes it hard not to feel like I was just defective from birth, or too pathetic and weak to cope with what everyone else took in their stride. And romanticising other people's abuse like that, even if involuntarily, makes me feel like the biggest piece of shit in the world.

[genovese]

Originally Posted by Merritt

The lack of anything significantly bad having happened to me, and yet still turning out like I have,

Trauma can register to an individual regardless of the severity.
Don't beat yourself up like that Merritt mate.
Yours, wherever on the trauma spectrum it may lay, is just as genuine & valid.

[Consolida]

^^ Yes I watched the documentary with Tony Slattery too. It was certainly heartbreaking to hear how he has struggled with mental health issues for a lot of his life and how trauma suffered during his childhood had such a devastating impact.

I totally echo what genovese has said. Very wise words indeed!

You always come across on here as such a lovely soul Merrit, so please try to be a little kinder to yourself, okay

[choirgirl]

Steptoe and Son. Work of genuis. Still stands up today etc etc.

[Mr. Nobody]

Originally Posted by Rocket Spud

^^ How far are you into it exactly? I'm actually rewatching it now - currently someway into series 3

I believe it's spoken about in the same terms as BB by the fans, but i don't think it's as good. The previous two seasons especially have been fairly average.

yeah,. erm, I actually found breaking bad quite boring also I'm afraid,
I think it must be the same people and it's their 'style' to have a lot of fairly sedate random daily things in the story,..
it probably worked with BB as their was a certain amount of tension in what was implied, but looking at it as a viewer, it's like watching paint dry sometimes,

I seem to recall breaking bad also had episodes where nothing actually happened, I seem to recall Walter White spent an entire episode trying to catch a fly.

[Mr. Nobody]

^

heh-heh,. it's maybe just that I'm not used to things being slooooowww,..
or possibly, it's the Walter White character, I find him super-annoying,. but then he's possibly playing it that way,. maybe he's meant to be really annoying ?

[Jen.]

I started a new Netflix show yesterday called The Big Flower Fight, hosted by Vic Reeves and Natasia Demetriou. It's basically a Bake Off-style competition where teams construct giant sculptures of flower arrangements in the countryside. I've only watched one episode so far, but it's great! Perfect viewing for people who aren't getting out as much as they want to.

[Jen.]

Yeah, if you like those things I think you'll enjoy it... I love those too.

[blancmange]

^ my kinda thing too, will probably start it soon

[Pia]

I’ve only seen the first 10 mins of the first episode of that so far but I really liked it - I love the mad Danish(?) team! Need to start watching it properly.

[Jen.]

Originally Posted by Pia

I love the mad Danish(?) team!

Haha yeah they're great - they're like a pair of Willy Wonkas.

[Consolida]

Originally Posted by ;

^ That sounds like something I would really like, I like anything where people are creating something, like Sewing Bee, or The Pottery Throw down

I love both of those shows

I can't sew to save my life but I'm always in awe at how the contestants create some amazing garment out of something as simple as a plastic bag!


I've been watching some prison drama on Netflix. It's surprisingly addictive. All I can say is that it makes the women who were in Prisoner cell block H (yes I'm old) look like Nuns

[Azalea]

^ Prisoner Cell Block H? Some of remember Within These Walls

[Consolida]

^ I don't remember Within These Walls. I think it must have been before my time. Only a tad before mind you

[blancmange]

Originally Posted by Pia

I’ve only seen the first 10 mins of the first episode of that so far but I really liked it - I love the mad Danish(?) team! Need to start watching it properly.

They are my faves as well, loved their creation! Early winners picked

[genovese]

McMillions.

Not too shabby

[blancmange]

I know, the Dad and Lad team were so sweet, and I felt I could relate to his anxiety monster.
Haha so would I! Wish I could rock that watermelon hair

[Mo34]

Space force on netflix.

It isn't remotely funny yet I continue to watch....

[A Whimsical Stranger]

Trial by Media

First episode covers a murder linked to an American talk show like Jerry Springer and Jeremy Kyle, and finishes on the notion that losing rights to freedom of speech wouldn't be worth making these shows illegal.

Like, surely they could just reduce the demand for trash TV by educating people on how these shows select guests, the negative effect it has on everyone involved and the manipulation /gaslighting that goes on and that maybe the personal lives of vulnerable people aren't a product to be consumed.


Haha. Maybe not.

[A Whimsical Stranger]

Originally Posted by Mo34

Space force on netflix.

It isn't remotely funny yet I continue to watch....

I really wanted to watch that, then I seen the previews.

[Mo34]

Originally Posted by A Whimsical Stranger

I really wanted to watch that, then I seen the previews.

A wise decision....

Originally Posted by Raks1981

I managed 5 minutes and quit, but have started watching Ozark which has been good

It does get a tiny bit better but really not a lot.