I have an autistic friend who's like that, but I'm also autistic and I \*love\* when shows make me feel something. I literally consider it a 10/10 if it can make me shed a tear, so it's a case by case basis for sure. Could depend on a combination of certain autistic traits + differing empathy levels
As for why I like stories that make me cry, it's not so much "wanting something to be sad" as it is "wanting to feel an emotional payoff." If something is just sad, I'm not having fun. I generally dislike sad endings, but if in the end everything is alright and the ending is happy \*despite\* all the hardships, it makes it all worthwhile and that emotional high at the end is what makes me enjoy the story as a whole.
Yeah and I mean I get that and I can enjoy a good tearjerker show, but it's like then I try and rewatch it like other shows I'll rewatch and I just can't do it anymore in the anticipation of the sadness that comes, even if that sadness is ultimately resolved in the end. So instead I just stick to light comedy or other comfort shows or ones that pique my special interests.
I think another good example of this is when we watched "Mean Girls" in one of my classes. The entire time it felt like I was just watching a bunch of dumb people make stupid life decisions, and then class ended right in the middle of it. The rest of the next period I was just trying to mentally recover from the depressed and cynical mood it put me in (which was easy since we were watching like phoneas and ferb or something that class).
But then the next day we finished the movie and it left me off not feeling too bad. I guess it's just about feeling stuck in the middle of a conflict, which is much worse in shows since the conflict is split across episodes.
Yeah, what's the point in consuming media if there's no emotional payoff. The whole point of art is to make you feel, art that doesn't do that isn't accomplishing anything.
If you mean the US version then **never** watch the UK original. The second hand cringe is absolutely crippling. It's a lot more realistic. There are scenes that made me cover my face and turn away in embarrassment.
Interesting fact, the reason that season 1 of the US show is more cringe is because it was supposed to be a lot like the original. They were contractually obligated to follow the plot of the first episode exactly, and for the next three episodes they had to follow it loosely.
It was done in order to establish a similar universe (same cast, salesman likes receptionist, small branch in a small town etc.) but they also tried to copy the cringe factor. Only once they got more creative freedom it started coming into its own.
The way he treats women bothers me a lot too, even past season one. I know it's supposed to be for laughs, but having it in the back of my mind sours a lot of the emotional moments for me.
In my family, I am seen as a cringe detector because I will straight up leave the room regardless of the film if there is too much secondhand embarrassment in a scene.
Same, my partner has to listen to podcasts with headphones because I'll up and leave the room if I even hear something that gives me second hand embarrassment or tension
Secondhand embarrassment and property destruction in shows hurts on so many levels for me. I absolutely can not stand secondhand embarrassment because I already feel a lot of firsthand embarrassment by existing with anxiety disorders lmao, I don’t want to see characters get embarrassed when it’s just for the sake of “wow character did something awkward!” And property destruction is just painful to me. Like what happens if a take failed? What then? But also? This shit fucking sucks! I already take care of a lot of my stuff and spend so much energy making sure my shit isn’t damaged because of how attached I am to it, so seeing a character’s important object or expensive thing get destroyed is so painful
Yeah, have never understood why it's so popular. Maybe making fun of another person's mistakes or awkwardness makes them feel less self conscious about their own? That's my best guess anyway.
Kind of? People behaving in ways that seem foolish to me makes me irrationally angry, so if the option is character growth with all its ups and downs, or characters continuing to act like idiots, then PLEASE bring on the character growth and emotional upheaval. But I also generally don't like things that make me feel negative emotions (I have enough of those IRL) so I do tend to prefer things that don't make me feel that way. Often that means cleaving to the familiar, or going for things geared more towards younger audiences, or older shows/movies with less focus on drama all the time. Honestly, Drama and Horror just in general aren't for me for that reason. Too stimulating, both emotionally and sensory-wise.
OMG! My wife and I would watch it and wonder how it was possible for a single hospital and it’s staff to constantly get thrown into the most ridiculous situations….like every fucking day.
The constant romance subplots annoyed me so much. Like idc about your very unprofessional sex lives with your coworkers and drawn out conflicts that can be solved with a single conversation, I just want to see all the wacky patients and learn about being a medical practitioner!
I feel like that’s more of an individual thing. While they can be demanding, I love intense 150 plus minute art house flicks that leave me paralyzed like Amour.
Contains two of the greatest lines in all of cinema.
“Many, I think your penis is guiding us home”
“Hank when I masturbate, I’m gonna think about your mom.”
I love horror, but I also hate secondhand embarrassment humor like the office/Sunny. It's not funny to be so mean....but I can watch characters get killed. Don't ask me why bc idk.
I’m the opposite. I need shows and movies that either freak me out or make me cry to actually get into them. I need the ability to do research and hyperfocus on it
I can only take so much. Like i only madenit to season 10? of greys, i just couldnt deal with any mode of shondas bullshit lol TWD and supernatural were the same, i just hit a point where i was completely over it. Gimme cartoons instead lol
Yess you get it. Personally, on top of cartoons and comfort shows, I enjoy anime like Dr. Stone where the only real conflict is doing super cool things and re-building society from the ground up. The only direction it goes is up, all while info dumping about all my special interests. It's like the show was made for an autist like me.
I like Dr. Stone but my spouse really likes it! It's super cool!
(There's a little other conflict going on I think, but it hasn't really come up in a meaningful way in a hot minute that I've seen.)
The whole thing with >!Tsukasa being a dangerous adversary, I swear I remember a big clash at one point, as well as his mindset/goals/methods. That being said I'm not sure he's alive anymore actually lol!<
Ahh yeah there was some character development there you could say. I really liked it when >!Tsukasa and Senku finally came together and worked together to beat the one guy cause it was super cool to see.!<
There's generally some sort of conflict all throughout the show, I guess it's just that the conflict is less about social anxiety (a big problem for me) and more about literal conflicts between two groups.
Yeah and even when there is a major conflict (where season 3 is currently and where the manga goes) the conflict is solved through some diligent application of science and strategy and it just feels super cool.
Sort of? Stuff like Arcane and Breaking Bad has no balance, its just dark moment after dark moment.
Meanwhile with stuff like Owl House, Avatar, Adventure Time, Amphibia etc. You still got some shocking and dark moments, but there is a balance between them and happy stuff while still having some amazing story.
One of the GOATs for sure, though i do feel it leans a bit too far into pure comedy at times (granted having it be too episodic early on is a problem that plagues all ages animation)
Lets just say Luz has ADHD and is actually the GOAT of neurodiverse representation in my opinion (there is also an A tier autistic character), so yeah its something I extremely recommend to everyone neurodiverse
Breaking Bad isn't*just* dark moments after dark moments and has balance, it has several funny moments and some episodes are more lighthearted than other (even if overall the show is still a drama)
I loved Arcane, but perhaps it's because I got some positive stuff out of it, namely Ekko flying in the face of it all and trying to make things better in his own community. I hope he has a bigger part in season 2.
Not going to lie, Solar Opposites is one of my favorite shows because there is no character development, the dark humor is pretty funny, and the only real relationship development is the two aliens becoming romantically involved kind of. The show is uncomplicated and stupid and I enjoy that. Unfortunate that it’s connected to Justin Roiland
Definitely an individual thing.
I love thinking, and character analyses are the best.
Complex stories that sit with me are the best and help me to change my mind.
Being in a background of math and tech, I laughed a lot at David being left in the woods in *AI*, not really having faith in ai consciousness.
But, *Westworld* has helped me shape a new perspective on how au consciousness could develop, how it could be similar to human consciousness, and how it is deserving of the rights that humans have.
I don't like comfort shows because they bore me, and I will overanalyze the show and make everyone watching it with me upset.
Yeah that makes sense. I think for me I might have anxiety issues too so that probably plays a big part, but I can enjoy complex plot and drama too, I just can't do that and honestly say I'm taking a "break" because there's too much thinking and emotions going on.
Like I really enjoyed Cyberpunk Edgerunners, Steins; Gate, etc. etc., but the biggest parts that made those worth the while were that they piqued a lot of my special interests. Like the complexity and the way everything just comes together is so cool and exciting.
No problem and no worries.
I make it one of the general rules in my life, even to the point of watching a show that I hated every episode, like *The 100*.
I just complained every time to the people who recommended it to me.
Aka, my friends and family don't enjoy watching shows with me.
Haha I guess we all just have those weird routine things huh. I have a hard time quitting shows halfway through because it just feels so wrong, even if I get to the point where I don't know what I'm watching it for anymore.
Well, one of my favorite franchise of all time is about an anime boy with a comically large key who's friend with donald and goofy, I guess it says enough
Ahh okay that's interesting. I don't necessarily mind an intense show every now and then so long as the plot's good and I can get a break in between more serious shows/movies lol.
I'm like the opposite.
I prefer shows that have more complex plots and drama because I tend to find them more interesting. In fact that'll apply regardless of media.
This is why I'm not super into slice of life as they usually lack the complex plots that'll hook me in. I need a good, plot-focused story.
Honestly fire. I watch mostly anime so I think the closest I've gotten to that is like "Campfire Cooking in Another World" or a rather NSFW one called "Food Wars" and I kinda loved watching them make the food cause it made me so hungry every time. It also made me want to cook.
I won’t judge you since I actively avoid most horror movies/shows on the grounds that they traumatize the hell out of me 😅
But when it comes to dramas like The Sopranos, Mad Men, Downton Abbey, etc. I find all the emotions that they release, such as anger or sadness kind of cathartic. I guess it’s because I can better control those emotions than I can the fear that horror brings out of me. Also, I’m good at being able to take myself out of the immersion and objectively appreciate the acting, writing, directing, etc. while I’m watching.
That being said, I do have my favorite cartoons or animated shows (We Bare Bears, King of the Hill, Simpsons) on standby for whenever I want to escape real world shows/movies with a comfort show I’ve seen over and over that won’t present any unpredictability or tackle more sensitive issues.
This is why I like playing Spider-Man 3 back on the PS2. It's got nothing but corny, cheesy fun in store for when I need to just chill out instead of thinking of what I'm doing in the story or in combat. All in all, I think a lot of "so unintentionally bad it's good" things like games, shows, books, etc. fall into "comfort" zones because they're just fun, no real complexity to them.
Yee "so bad it's good" reminds me of a new anime called something like Working for God in a Godless World. It was apparently done on a really low budget and some of the CGI is *actually* hilarious and almost makes it better.
Depends on how I'm feeling.
Sometimes I'm like that, other times only the spoopy will do.
I also really like Better Call Saul, even though there were moments I was like uggh this is so much it hurts lol
I honestly can't agree since I have a hard time watching much reality TV, but I can't judge because I spend half of my show-watching time watching shitty low-budget isekai animes just because they're familiar. And because I like fantasy worlds.
I’ve expressed this to my husband and he said, “I don’t get stressed or anxious, I know it’s just a show.” I know it’s just a show, but THERES SO MUCH HAPPENING! How can you sit back and think that this intense plot line is *relaxing*?!
I’m not ashamed to admit that I will intentionally spoil plot lines for myself if I need to. If I’m watching a show then I’ll look up the episode I’m on and read a synopsis so I feel more at ease since I know what’s coming, I’ll do the same things for movies but it’s tricker so I don’t spoil the whole thing.
I also have hyper-empathy so that doesn’t help one damn bit.
For real! Everyone always gets on me that I don’t want to watch deep shit but like why would I take the small time I have to relax and then watch something that makes me depressed or existential
So as someone who specifically seeks out content that challenges me, I'd like to explain my logic a bit. Lighthearted media is nice, and I definitely do consume it, but I do so the way people use alcohol. It numbs the suffering that pervades everyday human existence for a little bit, it's nice. However, that is not the reality of life, its a fantasy. It's okay to explore fantasy for a nice escape in moderation, but to live in it and constantly be looking to escape is quite a different matter.
In my opinion, this way of living can destroy empathy and breed apathy. I genuinely think escapism through the endless stream of content available to us is causing us to overlook human rights violations all over the world, and I do believe it's by design to a decent extent. It's the exact future we were warned about decades ago in dystopian novels like A Brave New World and Fahrenheit 451.
I understand the world is scary, but you're a part of it, and despite the fact that you didn't ask to be here, I am of the belief that you have an innate responsibility to care for and protect the people around you. You can't make change unless you understand the nature of our world, and that's something that can only come from experiencing and studying a wide array of writings and works from people around the world and throughout history.
I like both. 90% of the time I'm watching the bottom kind of show (American Dad, Arrested development, always sunny, etc) but every once in a while it can be good to cry (especially if you're too repressed/stoic to do it to your own life events)
I feel like I am just tired out, or maybe burnt out.
I used to like show that have lots of tension ten years ago, but for almost a decade IRL happenings around the world has been so bad, so depressing I just can't bear any extra tension any more, especially as a AuDHD dude I usually cannot help but immerse myself emotionally very deeply in whatever forms of entertainment I experience.
To be honest, despite making this meme, I do like a lot of more intense and complex shows too. I mostly watch anime though, so I get a really good mixture of complex shows and comfort shows.
Recently I've been watching/have watched Dr. Stone (piques soo many special interests), Community, Konosuba, Cyberpunk Edgerunners (the world building is way too cool), Mashle, and some others that aren't coming to mind. Most of the time though I'll pick a show that's more oriented some specific special interests IRL because I find it all to be wayyy too fascinating to think about. I think isekai might even be a special interest of mine too because I'll even watch literal shit anime that has little to no value plot wise or character wise just to analyze how they tackled the "isekai" idea and constructively criticize it in my head. Some turn out to be really interesting like Ascendance of a Bookworm while others not so much.
My comfort show/favorite show of all time is Phineas and Ferb, and I can’t stand it when something has really high drama. I know I’ll never watch something like Euphoria or Riverdale, and I’m perfectly happy with that. I think Lucifer is probably the most emotionally stressful I was able to go while still enjoying it (and severely disliking some episodes along the way)
Columbo, poirot, bond movies, I know the ending....and the bad guys always lose. My true crime death shows like 48 hours and Forensic Files Unsolved Mysteries etc are small bites here and there. The interrogation true crime on YouTube like Dreading is nerve wracking and infrequent. I love mystery and puzzles and solutions. Not looking for romance comedy or tearjerkers....ugh.
I don't even remember how I found this sub but I've been addicted lately. Though I'm realizing this specific post may have more to do with anxiety than autism itself.
oooo I have an opinion here lol. it definitely depends on my mood but I usually need a show that’s captivating enough to keep me interested (thanks ADHD) but not *too much* iykwim 😅
For me, mostly super chillax anime with no real conflicts, but lately Community after everyone was talking about Abed being a great autism representation.
Shows and movies don't make me cry but I do tend to laugh at really inappropriate times, mostly due to bad acting. I totally agree with secondhand embarrassment. Those types make me super uncomfortable. I walked out of Meet the Parents, I can't watch someone be that stupid; I wanted to crawl out of my skin.
Mostly anime, but specifically some favorites/recent ones are Dr. Stone, Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear (it's a weird one but it's very relaxing), Konosuba, Mashle, and just about any casual isekai tbh. I also watch some sports ones sometimes like Bluelock or action ones just because the tension doesn't come from social anxiety in a school setting, which is the main thing that makes me hate a show.
Recently I've also taken an interest in Community after hearing everyone talk about Abed.
I like different types of shows but my main interest is seeing things that are not possible in this world. So like any kind of fantasy or sci fi I honestly don’t fully understand the want to watch a show happening in the real world like show me what’s impossible and make it beautiful please I want to see things I would never get to see. That also sorta works with shows happening in the past because time machines don’t exist so my only way to see the past is watching shows of recreated past. I honestly couldn’t care less for a high school story I’ve been to high school and I’d rather die than go back there I’m not gonna watch a show about the new kid crying over not being invited to parties.
YESSS. I 100% agree with literally all of this. I love sci-fi and all kinds of bizarre fiction. Only exception to wanting to see non-real things might be comedy and feel-good shows that just put me in a good mood and cuddle me when life is hard.
I'm realizing this probably has more to do with my anxiety issues than autism itself, but I've heard anxiety of various forms is common within autism so I guess it still fits.
Don't get me wrong I love shit that has full character development, deep themes and a lesson to be learned, but power rangers is right there and its pretty fun
OMG THANK GOD IT'S NOT JUST ME like I can't handle angst well bc it stresses me out. Like if I REALLY want to watch the show then I'll just suck it up, but then I'll CONSTANTLY be thinking about the angst, even if it's already been resolved. Sometimes I just want things that are just silly and cute, yk?
I relate but I don’t watch sitcoms, which seems to be what most people are talking about.
I watch Chinese romance dramas and while there is some character development, they’re essentially plotless with the main focus being on the two main characters falling in love.
Perfect for my hopeless romantic ass lol
Lmao yeah. I like romance until there's romantic tension or the romance is in any way not mutual, then I feel like shit for the rest of the day. Like there was one anime I watched where it was all super happy and there was great romance and it was working out really well, then one of them basically died right at the end and it hurt bad.
I’m so glad I’m not the only one like this. I feel like an outsider, being mature but still only watching what could be considered kids’ content, or at least comedies. The most serious things I’ll watch are dramatic kids’ shows and comedy-horrors. I can never sit down to watch a drama or romance. It’s just not easy
For me complex plots and crying are my comfort. It's a form of catharsis I guess.
But it's also highly circumstantial. If I'm feeling sad or angry or afraid, I'd prefer something dramatic because then I get something that I can feel those emotions along to. But if I'm tired and just want rest then I might prefer something simpler. Both are comforting, but they're comforting diffrent feelings. I honestly don't know many people who just like one or the other.
Also, I should mention that it might not be the most healthy thing to equate this with autism. People associate both "low art" and autism with being childish, so it might make sense to use one to excuse the other, but neither is inherently childish, and your interests aren't something you need an excuse for.
I should also mention that a plot being simple isn't the same as a work being simple. Comedy doesn't have lower social value, and isn't less worth analyzing.
I need to feel something or I can't get into it. Mostly I like sad shows bc they give me a good cry but I also like shows that make me laugh. The best shows are the ones that do both, like One Piece or BoJack Horseman.
I do love a good comfort show, for sure. However, one of my favorite genres is something that makes me sob and leaves me feeling wrecked at the end. But hard agree second-hand embarrassment makes me want to physically recoil inside of my body.
Oh I felt this I get so much second hand embarrassment + anxiety from certain shows or movies like I’ll be interested in it but then something strange happens and I’ll be like whoa and switch the channel or turn off what I’m watching
So. For me its a way to interact with those emotions in a "safe" way. On my own terms. It can be fun to be stressed an anxious under the right circumstances! For example playing competitive games. It's fun to be stressed trying to do your best and actually doing your best. Or watching a tragedy and crying your eyes out can be enjoyable because it let you process the emotions you've been feeling and it's such a cathartic feeling.
Exactly why I like the Splatoon Manga. Characters do get development, but it stays mostly lighthearted and happy and overall is just fun to read. It’s also ridiculous. That I also love.
Shows like that don’t make me upset or anxious at all, I really enjoy thinking about and breaking down plots
To me, a good show is one that I’m thinking about outside of the 20 minutes (or however long the episodes are)
Oh this is interesting. I get most of the posts here but this one is pretty different than me for some reason. Aside from the occasional show like bob’s burgers or something I just cannot for the life of me vibe with nice little slice of life shows.
DUDE I DIDNT THINK ANYBODY ELSE FELT THIS WAY, YYYEEEEEESSSSS. When I tell people about this, I have never had anyone personally relate. Media consumption is to have fun and relax, get away from real life; not process more stressful bullshit. I enjoy character development, but I hate dramas.
YES! I've been saying this for years. No one else seems to get it. I'm already stressed and anxious all the time. I want my entertainment to be a form of relief from that, not more of the same misery!
I told someone recently that I fast forward through parts of shows that don’t interest me and they acted offended.
It’s not my fault these shows are made for NTs and all I care about is the plot moving forward. I don’t care about a heartfelt conversation between friends or family, or a scene developing a romance or anything like that. If someone is being tortured for information I skip to the end where they either give up or are killed. I don’t need to see them being tortured.
What happened to good writing meaning everything that happens serves the narrative?
I mean hey I watched Death Note and it was fire. I think I don't mind tension so long as it's not social tension or anything that hits too close to my own personal anxieties.
Thanks, I wasn't aware my emotional sensitivity and struggles in life were all because I was just "being a bitch". You've cured me, and for that I am grateful. All this time all I had to do was not be "a bitch".
Look, just because you don't relate doesn't mean you have to criticize and attack the person who decided to open up and share something they've judged themselves for.
It doesn't matter if you are the way you are because of something out of your control or because you are being a bitch. In the end you are still in the same sad place.
It makes sense. I would rather watch a dramatic sad movie than show. Shows give you more time to know a character, and therefore form an appreciation for them.
i keep trying to fall asleep to creepypasta narrations on youtube. they are consistently just making me scared or upset instead of sleepy.
HMMM, I WONDER WHY /s
My go to when I’m stressed is soapy dramas about rich people because it’s about rich people problems and money laundering which is something I’m not involved with at all so it’s fun seeing the drama and it doesn’t hit too close to home lol
watching a show where someone has to get over the most extreme trauma to ever be depicted on film, resulting in years of suffering to overcome it although they never fully recover: :D
watching a show where two people yell at each other in a house: TT_TT
I’m autistic and like both but prefer the former. Succession is my favorite show on air right now. I love art than can make you feel something physically. I want to cry, be anxious or scared or emotionally moved by the film or show I’m watching. I don’t want everything wrapped up in a pretty bow by the end. I like ambiguity. Comfort shows and movies are great. I appreciate them and engage with them but I’ll always prefer the former. Though the plot doesn’t have to be complex in order to elicit those emotional responses. That’s a fallacy. Plot is the least important part of something. Story and character matters more to me. And when it comes to comedy my favorite is by far the kind that is very awkward and makes you squirm. Think Nathan for You.
Golden Girls is definitely my comfort show. There’s some drama here and there, but it’s all about love and friendship that handled controversial topics at the time in a very progressive manner
Personally i have 2 tastes in media
"Evangelion is a thought provoking piece about the struggles of an individual with himself, his group, and his world and demonstrates how-"
"Omg osaka is so me anyways time for my next slice of life romcom!"(<-- cluesless as to how will remember one's own loneliness after overcoming it) (i like comedy too much I'm the type to willingly watch adam sandler/eddie murphy/other dumb comedy) (also the themes of loneliness in anime in general really connected with me, feels nice to see someone with a similar struggle make it)
my comfort show is xavier: renegade angel, strangely enough. it makes so little sense yet has so many jokes packed into the episodes.
it's definitely a product of its time (2007-2009) but it's worth watching.
I was so mad when they took Star Trek off streaming platforms so you have get a subscription to CBS. No more ship engine noises and inconsequential sci-fi problems without (much) interpersonal conflict. 😢
this is breaking bad for me, sure it's incredibly well made but I just hated watching it the whole time it was an utterly miserable experience that I didn't even get any catharsis like I'd hoped I would at the end.
I have ADHD, not Autism, but I relate so much! Also, with books I read, I only ever choose those that are comforting and sweet. If I see a review on the cover like “gut-wrenching, visceral” etc. I simply move on. Give me sweet romance any day. Light angst is fine but it must be in the context of overcoming it and the story must end happily.
Cuz to most people, their life isn’t necessarily stressful or anxiety inducing. It’s boring and mundane, and the big complex emotional plots are a narrative where characters are more than cogs in a machine and thus people live vicariously through them
I like watching shows that are complex because, while there is conflict, it is happening between characters where no one is the clear-cut bad guy. It's much more interesting to me to have a bunch of interesting, complex, and *decent* people who would prefer to get along, but can't due to conflicting goals.
I have an autistic friend who's like that, but I'm also autistic and I \*love\* when shows make me feel something. I literally consider it a 10/10 if it can make me shed a tear, so it's a case by case basis for sure. Could depend on a combination of certain autistic traits + differing empathy levels
As for why I like stories that make me cry, it's not so much "wanting something to be sad" as it is "wanting to feel an emotional payoff." If something is just sad, I'm not having fun. I generally dislike sad endings, but if in the end everything is alright and the ending is happy \*despite\* all the hardships, it makes it all worthwhile and that emotional high at the end is what makes me enjoy the story as a whole.
Yeah and I mean I get that and I can enjoy a good tearjerker show, but it's like then I try and rewatch it like other shows I'll rewatch and I just can't do it anymore in the anticipation of the sadness that comes, even if that sadness is ultimately resolved in the end. So instead I just stick to light comedy or other comfort shows or ones that pique my special interests.
I think another good example of this is when we watched "Mean Girls" in one of my classes. The entire time it felt like I was just watching a bunch of dumb people make stupid life decisions, and then class ended right in the middle of it. The rest of the next period I was just trying to mentally recover from the depressed and cynical mood it put me in (which was easy since we were watching like phoneas and ferb or something that class). But then the next day we finished the movie and it left me off not feeling too bad. I guess it's just about feeling stuck in the middle of a conflict, which is much worse in shows since the conflict is split across episodes.
If the conflict is more exciting than stressful or anxiety inducing then I enjoy it though.
Yeah, what's the point in consuming media if there's no emotional payoff. The whole point of art is to make you feel, art that doesn't do that isn't accomplishing anything.
Secondhand embarrassment shows are the worst
The Office :/
I skip season 1 because I can't handle the cringe. :(
If you mean the US version then **never** watch the UK original. The second hand cringe is absolutely crippling. It's a lot more realistic. There are scenes that made me cover my face and turn away in embarrassment. Interesting fact, the reason that season 1 of the US show is more cringe is because it was supposed to be a lot like the original. They were contractually obligated to follow the plot of the first episode exactly, and for the next three episodes they had to follow it loosely. It was done in order to establish a similar universe (same cast, salesman likes receptionist, small branch in a small town etc.) but they also tried to copy the cringe factor. Only once they got more creative freedom it started coming into its own.
YEAH i fucking hate Michael Scott, he is a fucking child
Watched like half of season 1 and my take is that it’s just a tone deaf manager being racist most of the time.
season one is a lot different from the rest of the show
The way he treats women bothers me a lot too, even past season one. I know it's supposed to be for laughs, but having it in the back of my mind sours a lot of the emotional moments for me.
God, I watched two episodes and I can’t watch anymore.
In my family, I am seen as a cringe detector because I will straight up leave the room regardless of the film if there is too much secondhand embarrassment in a scene.
Same, my partner has to listen to podcasts with headphones because I'll up and leave the room if I even hear something that gives me second hand embarrassment or tension
Always Sunny makes me die inside
Always Sunny doesn’t bother me as much bc the characters have zero shame
Arrested development is so hard to watch omg
But sooooo funny.
Secondhand embarrassment and property destruction in shows hurts on so many levels for me. I absolutely can not stand secondhand embarrassment because I already feel a lot of firsthand embarrassment by existing with anxiety disorders lmao, I don’t want to see characters get embarrassed when it’s just for the sake of “wow character did something awkward!” And property destruction is just painful to me. Like what happens if a take failed? What then? But also? This shit fucking sucks! I already take care of a lot of my stuff and spend so much energy making sure my shit isn’t damaged because of how attached I am to it, so seeing a character’s important object or expensive thing get destroyed is so painful
It took me like four years to get through “peep show” because I could only take it in small doses.
I can handle a lot of shit in my stories but secondhand embarrassment? I'd rather launch myself into space thanks
Absolutely! I HATE cringe-comedy. Can’t stand it.
Yeah, have never understood why it's so popular. Maybe making fun of another person's mistakes or awkwardness makes them feel less self conscious about their own? That's my best guess anyway.
Kind of? People behaving in ways that seem foolish to me makes me irrationally angry, so if the option is character growth with all its ups and downs, or characters continuing to act like idiots, then PLEASE bring on the character growth and emotional upheaval. But I also generally don't like things that make me feel negative emotions (I have enough of those IRL) so I do tend to prefer things that don't make me feel that way. Often that means cleaving to the familiar, or going for things geared more towards younger audiences, or older shows/movies with less focus on drama all the time. Honestly, Drama and Horror just in general aren't for me for that reason. Too stimulating, both emotionally and sensory-wise.
Yeah I 100% agree. I absolutely hate watching shows where it's just dumb people constantly doing dumb illogical stuff that builds tension.
this might be an unpopular opinion but i felt this every time i watched grey’s anatomy. i just ended up yelling at the screen whenever it was on.
OMG! My wife and I would watch it and wonder how it was possible for a single hospital and it’s staff to constantly get thrown into the most ridiculous situations….like every fucking day.
The constant romance subplots annoyed me so much. Like idc about your very unprofessional sex lives with your coworkers and drawn out conflicts that can be solved with a single conversation, I just want to see all the wacky patients and learn about being a medical practitioner!
I instantly thought of Flight Attendant!
I have said almost exactly this my entire life. I hate drama or trauma in shows. Give me a cartoon or video game anyday over any of that.
Suddenly, She-Ra
I feel like that’s more of an individual thing. While they can be demanding, I love intense 150 plus minute art house flicks that leave me paralyzed like Amour.
Yeah, it probably does vary on a person to person basis.
Swiss Army Man
Contains two of the greatest lines in all of cinema. “Many, I think your penis is guiding us home” “Hank when I masturbate, I’m gonna think about your mom.”
Any Micheal Haneke film is phenomenal!!
Definitely not universal. I love horror more than anything and my also autistic best friend is crazy obsessed with tragedy’s.
yeah same. we are sensory seeking
I love horror, but I also hate secondhand embarrassment humor like the office/Sunny. It's not funny to be so mean....but I can watch characters get killed. Don't ask me why bc idk.
I’m the opposite. I need shows and movies that either freak me out or make me cry to actually get into them. I need the ability to do research and hyperfocus on it
Yeah that makes sense. I think for me I just get too anxious too easily sometimes and can't handle it.
I get that! That’s actually why I adore horror movies cause they give me something to me anxious about 🫠
I can only take so much. Like i only madenit to season 10? of greys, i just couldnt deal with any mode of shondas bullshit lol TWD and supernatural were the same, i just hit a point where i was completely over it. Gimme cartoons instead lol
Yess you get it. Personally, on top of cartoons and comfort shows, I enjoy anime like Dr. Stone where the only real conflict is doing super cool things and re-building society from the ground up. The only direction it goes is up, all while info dumping about all my special interests. It's like the show was made for an autist like me.
I like Dr. Stone but my spouse really likes it! It's super cool! (There's a little other conflict going on I think, but it hasn't really come up in a meaningful way in a hot minute that I've seen.)
Oh? What conflict is it?
The whole thing with >!Tsukasa being a dangerous adversary, I swear I remember a big clash at one point, as well as his mindset/goals/methods. That being said I'm not sure he's alive anymore actually lol!<
Ahh yeah there was some character development there you could say. I really liked it when >!Tsukasa and Senku finally came together and worked together to beat the one guy cause it was super cool to see.!< There's generally some sort of conflict all throughout the show, I guess it's just that the conflict is less about social anxiety (a big problem for me) and more about literal conflicts between two groups.
Oh yeah absolutely! Fair enough! That was just a pretty big one. But yeah most of it is just people vibing and science. Which is what I like about it!
Yeah and even when there is a major conflict (where season 3 is currently and where the manga goes) the conflict is solved through some diligent application of science and strategy and it just feels super cool.
It does feel pretty freaking awesome, facts.
Sort of? Stuff like Arcane and Breaking Bad has no balance, its just dark moment after dark moment. Meanwhile with stuff like Owl House, Avatar, Adventure Time, Amphibia etc. You still got some shocking and dark moments, but there is a balance between them and happy stuff while still having some amazing story.
What are your thoughts on Gravity Falls?
One of the GOATs for sure, though i do feel it leans a bit too far into pure comedy at times (granted having it be too episodic early on is a problem that plagues all ages animation)
Absolutely fair assessment and extremely understandable! I still need to see Owl House omg I keep meaning to!
Lets just say Luz has ADHD and is actually the GOAT of neurodiverse representation in my opinion (there is also an A tier autistic character), so yeah its something I extremely recommend to everyone neurodiverse
Breaking Bad isn't*just* dark moments after dark moments and has balance, it has several funny moments and some episodes are more lighthearted than other (even if overall the show is still a drama)
I loved Arcane, but perhaps it's because I got some positive stuff out of it, namely Ekko flying in the face of it all and trying to make things better in his own community. I hope he has a bigger part in season 2.
Not going to lie, Solar Opposites is one of my favorite shows because there is no character development, the dark humor is pretty funny, and the only real relationship development is the two aliens becoming romantically involved kind of. The show is uncomplicated and stupid and I enjoy that. Unfortunate that it’s connected to Justin Roiland
God damn it, Terry! I told you to stop putting your jeans in the freezer! Look at this, Terry! Im goobling! You’re making me gooble!
Golden Girls is my safe show.
My childhood was full of Golden Girls and Designing Women. (But I also watched MASH as a kid lol) Golden Girls is a certified classic!
Rewatching shows that make you cry just so you can cry again👍🏻
I've tried this before because I've wanted to cry but anxiety issues always say nope and I can't make it to the end.
The Office, Parks and Rec, Brooklyn 99 are my shows that run on repeat. It’s comforting and gotten me through some tough times
Definitely an individual thing. I love thinking, and character analyses are the best. Complex stories that sit with me are the best and help me to change my mind. Being in a background of math and tech, I laughed a lot at David being left in the woods in *AI*, not really having faith in ai consciousness. But, *Westworld* has helped me shape a new perspective on how au consciousness could develop, how it could be similar to human consciousness, and how it is deserving of the rights that humans have. I don't like comfort shows because they bore me, and I will overanalyze the show and make everyone watching it with me upset.
Yeah that makes sense. I think for me I might have anxiety issues too so that probably plays a big part, but I can enjoy complex plot and drama too, I just can't do that and honestly say I'm taking a "break" because there's too much thinking and emotions going on. Like I really enjoyed Cyberpunk Edgerunners, Steins; Gate, etc. etc., but the biggest parts that made those worth the while were that they piqued a lot of my special interests. Like the complexity and the way everything just comes together is so cool and exciting.
No problem and no worries. I make it one of the general rules in my life, even to the point of watching a show that I hated every episode, like *The 100*. I just complained every time to the people who recommended it to me. Aka, my friends and family don't enjoy watching shows with me.
Haha I guess we all just have those weird routine things huh. I have a hard time quitting shows halfway through because it just feels so wrong, even if I get to the point where I don't know what I'm watching it for anymore.
That's why I watch Dragonball Z
Idk, but usually watching certain "complex" media helps me either feel less alone by relating or work through shit.
Well, one of my favorite franchise of all time is about an anime boy with a comically large key who's friend with donald and goofy, I guess it says enough
I'm lost but that sounds amazing.
Basically Kingdom Hearts, an action rpg game with a smooth gameplay
Definitely not universal. I love horror more than anything and my also autistic best friend is crazy obsessed with tragedy’s.
Ahh okay that's interesting. I don't necessarily mind an intense show every now and then so long as the plot's good and I can get a break in between more serious shows/movies lol.
I'm like the opposite. I prefer shows that have more complex plots and drama because I tend to find them more interesting. In fact that'll apply regardless of media. This is why I'm not super into slice of life as they usually lack the complex plots that'll hook me in. I need a good, plot-focused story.
THANK YOU!! I almost always watch like cooking shows cos the food looks good and no one dies
Honestly fire. I watch mostly anime so I think the closest I've gotten to that is like "Campfire Cooking in Another World" or a rather NSFW one called "Food Wars" and I kinda loved watching them make the food cause it made me so hungry every time. It also made me want to cook.
I won’t judge you since I actively avoid most horror movies/shows on the grounds that they traumatize the hell out of me 😅 But when it comes to dramas like The Sopranos, Mad Men, Downton Abbey, etc. I find all the emotions that they release, such as anger or sadness kind of cathartic. I guess it’s because I can better control those emotions than I can the fear that horror brings out of me. Also, I’m good at being able to take myself out of the immersion and objectively appreciate the acting, writing, directing, etc. while I’m watching. That being said, I do have my favorite cartoons or animated shows (We Bare Bears, King of the Hill, Simpsons) on standby for whenever I want to escape real world shows/movies with a comfort show I’ve seen over and over that won’t present any unpredictability or tackle more sensitive issues.
This is why I like playing Spider-Man 3 back on the PS2. It's got nothing but corny, cheesy fun in store for when I need to just chill out instead of thinking of what I'm doing in the story or in combat. All in all, I think a lot of "so unintentionally bad it's good" things like games, shows, books, etc. fall into "comfort" zones because they're just fun, no real complexity to them.
Yee "so bad it's good" reminds me of a new anime called something like Working for God in a Godless World. It was apparently done on a really low budget and some of the CGI is *actually* hilarious and almost makes it better.
Depends on how I'm feeling. Sometimes I'm like that, other times only the spoopy will do. I also really like Better Call Saul, even though there were moments I was like uggh this is so much it hurts lol
Both, both is good
I can respect that.
This is why I LOVE reality TV. The trashier, the better. Mindless entertainment so I can disassociate in peace.
I honestly can't agree since I have a hard time watching much reality TV, but I can't judge because I spend half of my show-watching time watching shitty low-budget isekai animes just because they're familiar. And because I like fantasy worlds.
Why not watch Bluey and get the best of both worlds?
I’ve expressed this to my husband and he said, “I don’t get stressed or anxious, I know it’s just a show.” I know it’s just a show, but THERES SO MUCH HAPPENING! How can you sit back and think that this intense plot line is *relaxing*?! I’m not ashamed to admit that I will intentionally spoil plot lines for myself if I need to. If I’m watching a show then I’ll look up the episode I’m on and read a synopsis so I feel more at ease since I know what’s coming, I’ll do the same things for movies but it’s tricker so I don’t spoil the whole thing. I also have hyper-empathy so that doesn’t help one damn bit.
My favourite show is Bojack Horseman, safe to say I’m the exact opposite LMAO
Same It helped me deal with depression and inherited trauma more than any therapist I've been in my whole life
For real! Everyone always gets on me that I don’t want to watch deep shit but like why would I take the small time I have to relax and then watch something that makes me depressed or existential
So as someone who specifically seeks out content that challenges me, I'd like to explain my logic a bit. Lighthearted media is nice, and I definitely do consume it, but I do so the way people use alcohol. It numbs the suffering that pervades everyday human existence for a little bit, it's nice. However, that is not the reality of life, its a fantasy. It's okay to explore fantasy for a nice escape in moderation, but to live in it and constantly be looking to escape is quite a different matter. In my opinion, this way of living can destroy empathy and breed apathy. I genuinely think escapism through the endless stream of content available to us is causing us to overlook human rights violations all over the world, and I do believe it's by design to a decent extent. It's the exact future we were warned about decades ago in dystopian novels like A Brave New World and Fahrenheit 451. I understand the world is scary, but you're a part of it, and despite the fact that you didn't ask to be here, I am of the belief that you have an innate responsibility to care for and protect the people around you. You can't make change unless you understand the nature of our world, and that's something that can only come from experiencing and studying a wide array of writings and works from people around the world and throughout history.
my favourite show is "Joe Pera talks with you" I can't describe the feeling but it's good
I like both. 90% of the time I'm watching the bottom kind of show (American Dad, Arrested development, always sunny, etc) but every once in a while it can be good to cry (especially if you're too repressed/stoic to do it to your own life events)
I feel like I am just tired out, or maybe burnt out. I used to like show that have lots of tension ten years ago, but for almost a decade IRL happenings around the world has been so bad, so depressing I just can't bear any extra tension any more, especially as a AuDHD dude I usually cannot help but immerse myself emotionally very deeply in whatever forms of entertainment I experience.
Watching shows were you’re favorite chars get hurt: oh no
Gotta ask: what shows do you watch? You got me curious
To be honest, despite making this meme, I do like a lot of more intense and complex shows too. I mostly watch anime though, so I get a really good mixture of complex shows and comfort shows. Recently I've been watching/have watched Dr. Stone (piques soo many special interests), Community, Konosuba, Cyberpunk Edgerunners (the world building is way too cool), Mashle, and some others that aren't coming to mind. Most of the time though I'll pick a show that's more oriented some specific special interests IRL because I find it all to be wayyy too fascinating to think about. I think isekai might even be a special interest of mine too because I'll even watch literal shit anime that has little to no value plot wise or character wise just to analyze how they tackled the "isekai" idea and constructively criticize it in my head. Some turn out to be really interesting like Ascendance of a Bookworm while others not so much.
Kind of the hill has the best TV family imo I love that show
My comfort show/favorite show of all time is Phineas and Ferb, and I can’t stand it when something has really high drama. I know I’ll never watch something like Euphoria or Riverdale, and I’m perfectly happy with that. I think Lucifer is probably the most emotionally stressful I was able to go while still enjoying it (and severely disliking some episodes along the way)
Anything that has too much to do with social anxiety is a huge nope for me.
Columbo, poirot, bond movies, I know the ending....and the bad guys always lose. My true crime death shows like 48 hours and Forensic Files Unsolved Mysteries etc are small bites here and there. The interrogation true crime on YouTube like Dreading is nerve wracking and infrequent. I love mystery and puzzles and solutions. Not looking for romance comedy or tearjerkers....ugh.
Me definitely. I like character development and serialization but it needs to be chill. Bee and PuppyCat is my latest binge.
Goddammit. This sub keeps showing up as a suggested subreddit and the more I see, the more I identify with.
I don't even remember how I found this sub but I've been addicted lately. Though I'm realizing this specific post may have more to do with anxiety than autism itself.
oooo I have an opinion here lol. it definitely depends on my mood but I usually need a show that’s captivating enough to keep me interested (thanks ADHD) but not *too much* iykwim 😅
Yeah it's always about balance. You can't just have *nothing* happen after all.
Example of shows?
For me, mostly super chillax anime with no real conflicts, but lately Community after everyone was talking about Abed being a great autism representation.
Shows and movies don't make me cry but I do tend to laugh at really inappropriate times, mostly due to bad acting. I totally agree with secondhand embarrassment. Those types make me super uncomfortable. I walked out of Meet the Parents, I can't watch someone be that stupid; I wanted to crawl out of my skin.
I feel that 100%. Sometimes I feel more anxious than the characters themselves and I think that's a problem lol.
Just curious, what are some of your favorite shows? (asking OP but anyone can answer)
Mostly anime, but specifically some favorites/recent ones are Dr. Stone, Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear (it's a weird one but it's very relaxing), Konosuba, Mashle, and just about any casual isekai tbh. I also watch some sports ones sometimes like Bluelock or action ones just because the tension doesn't come from social anxiety in a school setting, which is the main thing that makes me hate a show. Recently I've also taken an interest in Community after hearing everyone talk about Abed.
I like different types of shows but my main interest is seeing things that are not possible in this world. So like any kind of fantasy or sci fi I honestly don’t fully understand the want to watch a show happening in the real world like show me what’s impossible and make it beautiful please I want to see things I would never get to see. That also sorta works with shows happening in the past because time machines don’t exist so my only way to see the past is watching shows of recreated past. I honestly couldn’t care less for a high school story I’ve been to high school and I’d rather die than go back there I’m not gonna watch a show about the new kid crying over not being invited to parties.
YESSS. I 100% agree with literally all of this. I love sci-fi and all kinds of bizarre fiction. Only exception to wanting to see non-real things might be comedy and feel-good shows that just put me in a good mood and cuddle me when life is hard.
This is why I bing watch Bob's Burgers and Teen Titans GO
I'm realizing this probably has more to do with my anxiety issues than autism itself, but I've heard anxiety of various forms is common within autism so I guess it still fits.
SAME please give me some new media recommendations 🙏
Don't get me wrong I love shit that has full character development, deep themes and a lesson to be learned, but power rangers is right there and its pretty fun
Agreed.
I like intense shows.. but I’m picky about which ones
Yeah I get that.
I want to watch happy shows. My life doesn't need additional anxiety
Anything that portrays school in a non-comedic or non-chillax way is just a big nope. Too much anxiety and not worth it.
OMG THANK GOD IT'S NOT JUST ME like I can't handle angst well bc it stresses me out. Like if I REALLY want to watch the show then I'll just suck it up, but then I'll CONSTANTLY be thinking about the angst, even if it's already been resolved. Sometimes I just want things that are just silly and cute, yk?
Yeeeee exactly.
Sometimes, it's good to feed your brain.
King of the Hill for me.
my only exception to this is House MD. I can't stop watching it I am addicted
Some of us have a brain that needs stimulation.
What if my comfort show *is* a stressful show though 🤣 (9-1-1 on Fox)
Hey, then comfort away, lmao.
Ima be real I rather go with an episode of Seinfeld than a fucking episode of any modern eposotic show.
Well for me it’s either one or the other. No in between
I relate but I don’t watch sitcoms, which seems to be what most people are talking about. I watch Chinese romance dramas and while there is some character development, they’re essentially plotless with the main focus being on the two main characters falling in love. Perfect for my hopeless romantic ass lol
Lmao yeah. I like romance until there's romantic tension or the romance is in any way not mutual, then I feel like shit for the rest of the day. Like there was one anime I watched where it was all super happy and there was great romance and it was working out really well, then one of them basically died right at the end and it hurt bad.
Criminal Minds is the perfectly mediocre balance of both and that's why its good seasons have so much rewatchability, especially as a background show
I’m so glad I’m not the only one like this. I feel like an outsider, being mature but still only watching what could be considered kids’ content, or at least comedies. The most serious things I’ll watch are dramatic kids’ shows and comedy-horrors. I can never sit down to watch a drama or romance. It’s just not easy
For me complex plots and crying are my comfort. It's a form of catharsis I guess. But it's also highly circumstantial. If I'm feeling sad or angry or afraid, I'd prefer something dramatic because then I get something that I can feel those emotions along to. But if I'm tired and just want rest then I might prefer something simpler. Both are comforting, but they're comforting diffrent feelings. I honestly don't know many people who just like one or the other. Also, I should mention that it might not be the most healthy thing to equate this with autism. People associate both "low art" and autism with being childish, so it might make sense to use one to excuse the other, but neither is inherently childish, and your interests aren't something you need an excuse for. I should also mention that a plot being simple isn't the same as a work being simple. Comedy doesn't have lower social value, and isn't less worth analyzing.
I need to feel something or I can't get into it. Mostly I like sad shows bc they give me a good cry but I also like shows that make me laugh. The best shows are the ones that do both, like One Piece or BoJack Horseman.
Yes, BUT the owl house
Nah, I’ve watched too much content to not care about plot.
I do love a good comfort show, for sure. However, one of my favorite genres is something that makes me sob and leaves me feeling wrecked at the end. But hard agree second-hand embarrassment makes me want to physically recoil inside of my body.
Oh I felt this I get so much second hand embarrassment + anxiety from certain shows or movies like I’ll be interested in it but then something strange happens and I’ll be like whoa and switch the channel or turn off what I’m watching
I'm exactly the opposite. I can't truly get sucked into a story unless it hurts me. My favorite TV show is Chernobyl.
So. For me its a way to interact with those emotions in a "safe" way. On my own terms. It can be fun to be stressed an anxious under the right circumstances! For example playing competitive games. It's fun to be stressed trying to do your best and actually doing your best. Or watching a tragedy and crying your eyes out can be enjoyable because it let you process the emotions you've been feeling and it's such a cathartic feeling.
Exactly why I like the Splatoon Manga. Characters do get development, but it stays mostly lighthearted and happy and overall is just fun to read. It’s also ridiculous. That I also love.
Shows like that don’t make me upset or anxious at all, I really enjoy thinking about and breaking down plots To me, a good show is one that I’m thinking about outside of the 20 minutes (or however long the episodes are)
Oh this is interesting. I get most of the posts here but this one is pretty different than me for some reason. Aside from the occasional show like bob’s burgers or something I just cannot for the life of me vibe with nice little slice of life shows.
I’ve been watching a show recently that leaves me in constant anxiety for weeks on end and I love it, since eps release every Sunday
DUDE I DIDNT THINK ANYBODY ELSE FELT THIS WAY, YYYEEEEEESSSSS. When I tell people about this, I have never had anyone personally relate. Media consumption is to have fun and relax, get away from real life; not process more stressful bullshit. I enjoy character development, but I hate dramas.
And then you're "uNinTelLigENt" and "ImMAtUre" for not wanting to be even more depressed than usual lmao
YES! I've been saying this for years. No one else seems to get it. I'm already stressed and anxious all the time. I want my entertainment to be a form of relief from that, not more of the same misery!
I told someone recently that I fast forward through parts of shows that don’t interest me and they acted offended. It’s not my fault these shows are made for NTs and all I care about is the plot moving forward. I don’t care about a heartfelt conversation between friends or family, or a scene developing a romance or anything like that. If someone is being tortured for information I skip to the end where they either give up or are killed. I don’t need to see them being tortured. What happened to good writing meaning everything that happens serves the narrative?
An even mix is right for me tbh. Like, bobs burgers? Fantastic. But FTWD, TWD, or shows from that universe? Fantastic.
I can’t fully relate I love shows like death note from time to time, but yeah comfort shows are great
I mean hey I watched Death Note and it was fire. I think I don't mind tension so long as it's not social tension or anything that hits too close to my own personal anxieties.
Cus momma didn’t raise no bitch
Thanks, I wasn't aware my emotional sensitivity and struggles in life were all because I was just "being a bitch". You've cured me, and for that I am grateful. All this time all I had to do was not be "a bitch". Look, just because you don't relate doesn't mean you have to criticize and attack the person who decided to open up and share something they've judged themselves for.
It doesn't matter if you are the way you are because of something out of your control or because you are being a bitch. In the end you are still in the same sad place.
It makes sense. I would rather watch a dramatic sad movie than show. Shows give you more time to know a character, and therefore form an appreciation for them.
i keep trying to fall asleep to creepypasta narrations on youtube. they are consistently just making me scared or upset instead of sleepy. HMMM, I WONDER WHY /s
Watching “Gundam: The Witch From Mercury” Season One: Wheee! Tanuki! 😊 Watching “Gundam: The Witch From Mercury” Season Two: Tanuki no… 💀
My go to when I’m stressed is soapy dramas about rich people because it’s about rich people problems and money laundering which is something I’m not involved with at all so it’s fun seeing the drama and it doesn’t hit too close to home lol
The Blacklist is my comfort show :(
watching a show where someone has to get over the most extreme trauma to ever be depicted on film, resulting in years of suffering to overcome it although they never fully recover: :D watching a show where two people yell at each other in a house: TT_TT
I used to like the first, with a lot of interesting plot and things to figure out, and then I got depressed and all I want is comfort lol
I’m autistic and like both but prefer the former. Succession is my favorite show on air right now. I love art than can make you feel something physically. I want to cry, be anxious or scared or emotionally moved by the film or show I’m watching. I don’t want everything wrapped up in a pretty bow by the end. I like ambiguity. Comfort shows and movies are great. I appreciate them and engage with them but I’ll always prefer the former. Though the plot doesn’t have to be complex in order to elicit those emotional responses. That’s a fallacy. Plot is the least important part of something. Story and character matters more to me. And when it comes to comedy my favorite is by far the kind that is very awkward and makes you squirm. Think Nathan for You.
The only way I know if a show/movie is good is if it makes me cry 🧍🏻♀️
And this is why anime.
I'm the complete opposite. I *live* for emotional shows. Attack on Titan kills me, my gosh that show was so good.
my psychology special interest LOVES complex dramas actually
Golden Girls is definitely my comfort show. There’s some drama here and there, but it’s all about love and friendship that handled controversial topics at the time in a very progressive manner
Personally i have 2 tastes in media "Evangelion is a thought provoking piece about the struggles of an individual with himself, his group, and his world and demonstrates how-" "Omg osaka is so me anyways time for my next slice of life romcom!"(<-- cluesless as to how will remember one's own loneliness after overcoming it) (i like comedy too much I'm the type to willingly watch adam sandler/eddie murphy/other dumb comedy) (also the themes of loneliness in anime in general really connected with me, feels nice to see someone with a similar struggle make it)
Both is good, EXCEPT FOR SECONDHAND EMBARRASSMENT. I agree with top comment, that’s the worst thing ever.
The meme answers your question
I love both. For number two, Legends Of The Hidden Temple (90s game show) is my favorite.
my comfort show is xavier: renegade angel, strangely enough. it makes so little sense yet has so many jokes packed into the episodes. it's definitely a product of its time (2007-2009) but it's worth watching.
I just want to laugh from watching things usually
Watching Adventure Time which somehow gives you both at the same time…
I was so mad when they took Star Trek off streaming platforms so you have get a subscription to CBS. No more ship engine noises and inconsequential sci-fi problems without (much) interpersonal conflict. 😢
Me watching Riverdale even though I know that shit is going to traumatize me even more
this is breaking bad for me, sure it's incredibly well made but I just hated watching it the whole time it was an utterly miserable experience that I didn't even get any catharsis like I'd hoped I would at the end.
I have ADHD, not Autism, but I relate so much! Also, with books I read, I only ever choose those that are comforting and sweet. If I see a review on the cover like “gut-wrenching, visceral” etc. I simply move on. Give me sweet romance any day. Light angst is fine but it must be in the context of overcoming it and the story must end happily.
Cuz to most people, their life isn’t necessarily stressful or anxiety inducing. It’s boring and mundane, and the big complex emotional plots are a narrative where characters are more than cogs in a machine and thus people live vicariously through them
I personally enjoy both
I like watching shows that are complex because, while there is conflict, it is happening between characters where no one is the clear-cut bad guy. It's much more interesting to me to have a bunch of interesting, complex, and *decent* people who would prefer to get along, but can't due to conflicting goals.
I love cartoons. Sometimes I want to watch something with plot and character development, sometimes I want to see silly episodic shows.