I got to thinking about this today. The things I used to watch when I was younger, and followed for X number of years, I just don't watch much of it anymore.
For instance, I was a HUUUUGE Simpsons-head, ever since watching the Christmas Special in 1989-90. I would tune in every Sunday at 8pm and watch a new episode. We're talking early to late 1990's. At some point, and I don't remember the exact day, or even year. One day, I just stopped watching it. Not cold turkey, but I wasn't tuning into it religiously as I used to. I would later on in life watch an occasional repeat episode, and to this day, Jason and I still do Simpsons quotes. Once in a while, though, I'll miss a few references that Jay throws at me.
Recently, I unsubscribed to the Angry Video Game Nerd on Youtube. I have nothing against James. I respect what he's doing. I realize he has little to no control over his fanbase who attack me for watching the Irate Gamer, and enjoying it. I'm still subscribed to Irate. I stopped watching AVGN because I'm just not as interested in it anymore. Maybe James needs to switch gears, or something. Lately, his videos ain't the juice it used to be, not that they had me laughing hysterically. I don't watch these angry reviewers to laugh my head off. I get chuckles and giggles. That's it, honestly.
Ya know, I'll be 31 in November. I'm not 100% sure if I'm outgrowing this stuff, or I've just plain lost interest in some of this stuff, or just don't have the time. Whatever. I still watch Family Guy, but can never remember to commit to watching new episodes at its regular time slot. Some episodes I'm seeing from last season or the one before, I'm seeing for the first time, only to find out it's from 2008, or so.
South Park I used to catch every Wednesday. Now, not as much. I'll flip passed it, look at it for a little bit, then move along. Nothing to see here. I find myself watching Ghost Hunters on Sci-Fi (NOT SyFy). Being Human on BBC America, and an occasional Hell's Kitchen.
A lot of people do try to suggest shows that I might like. Jason is still trying to get me to watch Futurama. I'm sure most of you love the show. I'm just having a hard time getting into it, or even taking some time to watch a full episode. Jay showed me a few clips that he thought might be funny. I didn't have much of a reaction.
Odds are, despite the show being done by Matt Groening (of Simpsons), I probably won't like it much, and I'll be less likely to be converted.
So what does it mean when you don't enjoy something that you used to? Does it mean you've outgrown it? Some of us don't have the time we used to, either family obligations, jobs, active social life, etc.
Is there a show, or something that you've enjoyed for a long time, but then slowly (or suddenly) stopped enjoying it?
Black Flag NC
I think it's inevitable that your tastes change as you get older.
The Simpsons needs to go away now. It's been 20 years and it shows. They're running out of things to do. Doesn't mean I don't love the show anymore, it's just hard to get exited about a new Simpsons episode.
I've never been the kinda guy that planed my life around TV show timeslots. If I catch an episode of South Park or Family Guy I haven't seen, I'll watch it. If I really dig a show, I'll get it on DVD.
Plus the web opens up so many new doors. You're not relying on some stick in the mud TV executive to air stuff you'd like. I still love me some AVGN and Nostalgia Critic.
John Gibson
Absolutely true. Everyone's taste will change as they get older. As a kid, you can get totally excited about Sesame Street and Romper Room. Once you get a bit older, you move on to He-Man, and Thundercats. As far as cartoons go from childhood, it's hard to outgrow those. They were part of our childhood. He-Man (the real one, not the 2002 version) couldn't survive today. Kids don't want moral lessons and values wrapped up in a 22 minute cartoon.
I think shortly after Phil Hartman passing, I slowly stopped watching Simpsons. I don't know if it had much to do with his death, or what.
A lot of cartoons that have been on for 10-20 years will eventually lose steam. There's also the worry that one show may steal a plot from another show. We might see a Family Guy type situation on the Simpsons. Homer may start setting up quick flashbacks "Like the time I...".
In terms of the angry reviewers, same thing. They'll run out of steam. AVGN and Irate Gamer are starting to be either less angry, or just not trying anymore. Irate Gamer's latest video doesn't have him angry at all. For most of the video, he sounds like me when I'm in a good mood.
With AVGN, it looks like most of the time, he's faking angry. Well, we all know he's acting, but he doesn't seem to be putting much into the performance. Maybe it's me. I just lost interest one day. What can I say?
StrifeDeliveries
For one, I would like to say, I still enjoy watching Seseme Street every blue moon, don't know why but I do. Tastes do change, and I know I am going to catch holy hell for this but, I was a big Survivor fan, watched it for many years....... But last year it faded away from me, and when I noticed a new season, I just shruged. Also it happens with sometimes the way of the show changes just enough to dislike. But, yeah, I have noticed that I am not huge on fan of some of the shows that I used to enjoy.
