TV Tuesday: TV Meta

[yourlibrarian]

We haven't had a poll in a while, nor have we had meta posts made to tv_talk for quite a while. So some questions below:

Poll #31545 TV Meta

This poll is anonymous.
Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 33

What meta topics about TV shows do you like to read?

View Answers

Episode breakdowns
18 (54.5%)

Season reviews
15 (45.5%)

Character studies
24 (72.7%)

Ship exploration
19 (57.6%)

Comparisons of shows
18 (54.5%)

Exploring themes across shows
22 (66.7%)

Analyzing behind the scenes factors
15 (45.5%)

Examining writing choices
20 (60.6%)

Detaling artistic choices (lighting, wardrobe, set design, etc.)
17 (51.5%)

Writing about TV as an industry, present or historical
12 (36.4%)

Writing about TV as it represents societies
12 (36.4%)

Writing about TV audiences or fandoms
16 (48.5%)

Something else
1 (3.0%)

What meta topic about TV shows do you find the MOST interesting?

View Answers

Episode breakdowns
4 (12.9%)

Season reviews
1 (3.2%)

Character studies
4 (12.9%)

Ship exploration
2 (6.5%)

Comparisons of shows
3 (9.7%)

Exploring themes across shows
4 (12.9%)

Analyzing behind the scenes factors
1 (3.2%)

Examining writing choices
3 (9.7%)

Detaling artistic choices (lighting, wardrobe, set design, etc.)
5 (16.1%)

Writing about TV as an industry, present or historical
2 (6.5%)

Writing about TV as it represents societies
1 (3.2%)

Writing about TV audiences or fandoms
0 (0.0%)

Something else
1 (3.2%)

Comments

[feurioo]

It always depends on the show. I only read episode breakdowns of shows I watch, consider to watch or about which I'm curious for another reason (usually along the lines of "how much worse can it get" once I've dropped something).

My interest in character studies also always depends on the character and the angle of the text. I would read something about a character I don't know if the argument is interesting enough. In contrast, I wouldn't read something about a character I adore if the argument is a boring one.

Last but not least: Is ship exploration even a thing outside of Tumblr or maybe AO3? I remember ship manifestos from my Livejournal days but I barely see anything like that in the current fandom landscape.

[yourlibrarian]

There are still some being done, yes. The Meta Manifesto challenge which was here on DW was hosted on AO3, though that one was very broad (not just ships but also characters, tropes, shows, etc.) It didn't run this year though. I agree that these used to be a lot more common than they currently are. My own opinion is that this has a lot to do with how viewing patterns have changed so that there are fewer efforts to recruit other fans to a show.

[jo]

My answers for both would be: none of the above. I may, occasionally, read something that falls into one of those categories (except the ship thing, unless you're talking about actual ships, like boats, or spaceships, but I'm guessing no), but these aren't things that I actually seek out.

[yourlibrarian]

Yes, ships as in pairings, though not just romantic ones but also friendships, work relationships, frenemies and the like.

[rogueslayer452]

I checked everything from the first one, because I love reading anything and everything that examines a show, inside and out, including characters/story/pairings and the behind-the-scenes aspect. Metas have been few and far between these days, since I used to read (and even write) some back in the day, but I love reading and discussing with fellow fans about all of those topics because it's so fascinating to me, particularly if it's a show that I am deeply invested with.

The second one was a bit more difficult, because I truly had to think about it since, as stated above, I like everything featured.

Honestly, character studies is something I find the most interesting because I am very intrigued when it comes to individual characters, their motivations, their arcs and development throughout the story, including actor choices or other things that are revealed behind-the-scenes regarding that character. I like dissecting and sinking my teeth into what makes a character tick, and I like reading about other people's thoughts and interpretations of characters as well.

[yourlibrarian]

I also like all sorts of topics, especially if they go into any depth which seems increasingly less likely. I've been thinking that part of it is that social media platforms don't really offer the space or the ability to have conversations on lengthier topics. And when it comes to TV meta I suspect part of this has been taken over by professional writers,, whereas in the past the most you tended to see was either an initial or follow up review and maybe recaps.

[author_by_night]

And when it comes to TV meta I suspect part of this has been taken over by professional writers,, whereas in the past the most you tended to see was either an initial or follow up review and maybe recaps.

Yes. Agreed. Which is a shame in a way, because sometimes they're TOO professional. I sometimes watch The Take on YouTube, and while they have really interesting... well, takes, they talk like they're hosting The Weather Channel. There are some more casual podcasts and YouTube channels that have meta, though.

Also, internet culture is a lot more about navel gazing these days, and that doesn't always lend itself well to meta.

[yourlibrarian]

True -- I have yet to want to listen to any fannish podcasts, because a lot of time is either taken up by the hosts just gabbing, or else they don't interview people well.

What I have seen that I thought was quite well done is certain video bloggers on YouTube. There have been some great examinations of things like themes, music etc. although, perhaps understandably, these have tended to be more about movies than TV. It helps to have a far shorter canon if you're going to go into that sort of depth.

[author_by_night]

I have yet to want to listen to any fannish podcasts, because a lot of time is either taken up by the hosts just gabbing, or else they don't interview people well.


Oh, that's an annoyance of mine as well. It's hard to find ones that stay on topic. Most of the ones I enjoy are somewhere in the middle, gabby but at least tolerable. Others, I've had to give up. And guests often make the hosts worse, because then it just becomes a party, and the listeners are not invited.

I found two podcasts that were so well done, and unfortunately, I think they spoiled me. The channel has several podcasts, but unfortunately they don't really cover anything else I'm interested in! (I highly suggest them, though. Chipperish Media.)

although, perhaps understandably, these have tended to be more about movies than TV. It helps to have a far shorter canon if you're going to go into that sort of depth.

It definitely doesn't take as long. Have you tried Jose's retrospectives, though? He does in-depth recaps of shows.

https://www.youtube.com/@JoseBird

[yourlibrarian]

Oh I see Chipperish has a Buffy podcast! I might check that out.

[author_by_night]

That was one of the ones I was talking about! The other is Still Dead, which is for Angel. It's also good, but spoiler free, so there's just a little less meat. Still a great podcast though; I never really liked Angel as much, and they offered a fresh perspective. I highly recommend.

[olivermoss]

I tend to be most interested in the context the show came out in, things that made sense or we knew at the time but quickly forget. Like the previous writer's strike, some actor being a big deal, plotlines changing due to actor pregnancy, etc.

[yourlibrarian]

Ah, that would definitely be interesting to read about. In some cases I remember it but there are both older shows as well as shows I don't watch until much later where I wouldn't know about that.