Netflix and Pause for Review

We’ve all been there, in the middle of enjoying a show when there are a few quick lines of banter and you look over to your partner to share a laugh, and… nothing.

They don’t get it.

Often we let this slide. We think we are just too witty ourselves, and that we shouldn’t expect everyone to catch everything, but really, we’re dying inside.

How can they not get it? Who is this person sitting next to you? Really?!

It’s understandable that diverse humor appeals towards many different aspects, and when it comes to family members or others that you may be stuck with in life, there is a lot you may want to avoid. We’ll end up laughing only to be frowned upon, especially when we’re caught laughing a bit too hard.

Maybe it’s an obscure reference, like in Family Guy. Okay, that’s understandable, but only a handful of times. If they’ve gone a full 6 seasons and still don’t know who the von Trapp family is, you better kick them to the curb.

Jokes only work when they don’t have to be explained. When you need to take a time out and pause the action, just to explain a part of a show you’re watching, it takes the fun out of it. Why watch the show?

This is why throughout history we try to share common interests with the people we surround ourselves with. It’s why social media has us make a list of likes. Unspoken bonds are what make things more meaningful. If you’ve got to take a time out to review, that relationship isn’t very rewarding.

When it comes to jokes, if you have to explain the punchline, then it’s not funny; whether or not it would be otherwise. Jokes can be hard to set up and pull off, and sometimes not everyone will understand them. While explaining the context may help, the punchline should stand out on its own. Any reference from joke-teller or audience to a previous punchline usually ruins the experience for everyone.

When it starts to happen, and your friend, family member, partner or whatever, starts to let you down by not understanding the media you are sharing, set a limit. If it happens too much, introduce all the core material that makes up the jokes and references. Watch Star Wars, the Sound of Music, Lord of the Rings, Music Man, All in the Family, The Honeymooners, etc. Re-watch whatever it takes to set the ground work for future punchlines and references. Or just give up on that person.

There’s only so much anybody can cram into their brains. If understanding quality entertainment isn’t one of them, then there’s not much life to be shared there.

By Randall Thomas

Be sure to nominate The Model Citizen for publication. 

Model City had once thrived, owing its glory to the success of the Love Canal and the genius of Nikola Tesla. Now, it suffers from economic collapse. In a city laden with crime, wanton heroes emerge. A mysterious character begins to lead the blind, and a mountain of conspiracy clouds the minds of the righteous.
Burdened by conjecture and stricken with grief, William Howell somehow manages to climb the corporate ladder. The Model Citizen newspaper represents to him the true word of the people. It is up to him to determine its quality.

Read the first 5,000 words free, here:
The Model Citizen 

Thanks,

Joe