As you get older...do you find it harder to "get into" or even want to watch completely new tv series or films?

[Graphista]

Admittedly I'm feeling somewhat restless and going through some stuff generally.

Currently housebound and so watching a lot of tv/streaming.

But I have noticed in last few years I have become increasingly reluctant to watch completely new tv series or films. Being far more likely to watch shows and films I am already familiar, and comfortable with where I know the characters and that the content/subject matter is predictable and not offensive or irritating to me.

If I do try something new it will be something that's been recommended by someone I know has similar tastes to me or knows my likes and dislikes, usually with actors I know and like, or new films that are part of a franchise I already know I like (this tactic doesn't always pan out)

So I was just wondering if it's just me? Should I try to get out of this "rut" (with paying for streaming services I sometimes feel guilty that I'm somehow not fully getting the best out of them? - but then I think why should I feel guilty for watching what I like?)

I have so many films on my "queues" that are more films I think I should watch or that I was seduced by a trailer or something but actually I'm unlikely to watch for various reasons - most commonly though because I'm worried they would be too upsetting/disturbing to watch or would require a level of concentration I'm struggling to achieve at the moment (partly meds, partly mh issues)

Can anyone relate?

Its not that Im not willing to try new things, but I do need to be in a certain mood, and they need to pass a higher threshold before I start. I also will give up if something isnt holding my attention.

I'm very like this. Really annoys DH as I hardly watch anything nowadays.
I don't really know why. I can't cope with any level of tension any more and don't enjoy the unknown.
I'm fine with some documentaries and reality she shows (like 999 what's your emergency type thing not Love Island).

I find a lot of the popular series too sinister or unsettling to watch and leave me going to bed feeling uneasy and anxious. So unfortunately I only manage a few episodes then stop. I don't need any more stress!

Not me. Just finished new series of Stranger Things, am now catching up with Orphan Black and recently started the Sopranos which I missed when it was first broadcast. Love finding new shows! Also great discovering for the first time shows that have already run for lots of seasons so I can binge watch every night for weeks with my daughter (Greys Anatomy, Private Practise, Call the Midwife...)

I think we've lost the ability to concentrate on new stuff because of phone addiction

No, probably the complete opposite.

Always on the look out for something new.

I think I've got a much clearer idea of what I like and don't like. I'm also busier, so I no longer waste time on stuff that's just OK.

"I also will give up if something isnt holding my attention." Definitely! I do love this about streaming it's so easy to just turn it off.

"I find a lot of the popular series too sinister or unsettling to watch and leave me going to bed feeling uneasy and anxious" agree with this, I don't need the extra stress.

Pipandmum - I definitely prefer older stuff, there's several shows I missed out on first time round or bloody sky stole them off free channels which I'm happily catching up on/having another chance to view.

I do try some new things but it's definitely a case of me looking for things with a certain...provenance?

Eg I've enjoyed/am enjoying stranger things but I was drawn to that by the 80's setting, I like sci fi and Winona Ryder.

How to get away with murder - I loved greys anatomy and scandal (until sky stole em!) and so knew I liked shondaland stuff.

Scream tv series - loved the movies so thought I'd give it a go.

I think just the thought of putting the effort into getting to know a new "universe" and characters feels exhausting.

I don’t seem to be able to tolerate films anymore, reason being I think tv series have far more depth and interest than any 180 minute blockbuster, tv series have come a very long way in the past 10 years or so, you will often see A listers starring which would have been unheard of previously.

Oh yes this is me! I'm rewatching series rather than anything new, and I find I give up a series far far earlier than I used to. I used to give new things a few episodes at the very least. I feel weirdly exhausted at the thought of starting a brand new series, getting to know a new universe and all of the 'where did I see that actor before' stuff to look up. I thought it was just me! With books I find myself rereading the same ones over and over. Familiar, no scares, no tension. I sometimes re start a watch of something familiar, Buffy or Chuck or whatever and think if this came out brand new now would I even watch it? Would I give it past episode one? Kind of makes me sad thinking what universes and stories and families I'm missing out on but I still don't watch new thing.

So I was just wondering if it's just me?
Thank goodness - I thought it was only me! I keep seeing interviews on TV about "fantastic", "thought provoking", "tension filled", "sumptuous" series etc and watch a few of the initial episodes or the first series then can't seem to pick up in them again as it's just too disturbing, or maybe I feel they just don't live up to the hype. I've also been rewatching programmes which I've seen before simply for the great acting but also because they are comfortable. I really don't need any more "realistic" tension in my life. I definitely can't watch anything with "Kill" in the title!

Currently I'm watching informational/documentary type stuff plus cookery/travel shows for interest plus quizzes shows to sharpen my brain. That's enough for now..

Same here.

Not sure whether it's my crap attention span (Internet's fault) or getting older and less arsed about stuff.

I know I cannot stand too much suspense, horror or any violence, especially towards kids.

I am looking forward to the new series of James Herriot

I watch far more television now than I ever did when I was younger. However there are some series that I see advertised, which I think I would like, and can't be bothered to watch. I think I'll either watch them when they are repeated or that I can catch up online - and then don't.

It's good not to be a slave to television but I've certainly missed out on some good stuff, going on what I've read and what others have said. Not to worry though, I can always catch up later........

Yes, I hardly ever watch tv. Most modern shows have characters that are based on looks rather than acting ability.

Scripts are poor and ‘whodunnit’ detective type shows spread over several episodes are rubbish as you can guess the killer in the first five minutes.

I still watch tv but when it comes to ‘acclaimed’ dramas I wait a while to see if it’s just hype. I do mean a long while, we’ve just watched Breaking Bad this year and The Sopranos last year!

I also can’t handle tension anymore, at all. I don’t know why, I don’t have a child so I’m not fearful for someone else, I just really hate the feeling. So if there’s something I really want to watch I read spoilers. I’ve never been bothered by spoilers and now I rely on them so I can relax and enjoy the show! I think I’d have found BB unbearable without them.

I hardly ever watch films anymore and when I do it’s old favourites. I only tend to like films that are a bit unusual and my local independent cinema has unfortunately gone a lot more mainstream recently so I struggle to find things I like.

Yes, this is absolutely me, and I've never seen anyone else articulate it.

My good friends all get into different series, as does DH, but I just can't.

I've started a few and enjoyed them pretty well, but not enough to keep watching the whole series.

Why? Maybe they just haven't grabbed me - but I think if something like Dead To Me, which is about 40-something women (friends; albeit fucked up friends), i.e. me - and there's nothing else like that on TV - if it doesn't keep me held, then what will?

I'll happily watch old Seinfeld, Downton, Friends until the cows come home.

I'm glad to know it's not just me.

Yes! If someone recommends something with multiple series my heart sinks - I don't want to dedicate hours and hours to it. I never really get lost in a film now but in the few occasions I have, I have found it quite upsetting as I got too involved. I think it's partly due to age but also phone use - and probably also streaming TV. Weirdly if I put something on my "to watch" list I lose all interest in it.

I just don't want to commit that amount of time to watching anything, and when I do I often can't get into them, it seems pointless somehow. All I really watch is the occasional property programme as they need little commitment.

I have stopped reading crime novels though as I feel like I don't need the extra tension, I linked that to health problems rather than just age, so it's interesting that others feel like that too.

I'm a bit like that too. I find it's hard to fit everything in as well. I watched Killing Eve but had to basically binge it and everything else went on hold. I have 'taped' so many things but never really get round to watching it. I used to watch Homeland up until about 6 years ago, then after break-up with ex, never got back into it and now how could I ever have the time to catch up. I've tried Peaky Blinders and got halfway through S2 I think, but because there is so much of it to catch up on, again it's gone on hold.

Work colleagues talk about stuff they are watching, that sound really good, but tbh after watching Corrie and EE (I know!) that's my night almost gone.

I find that too many series have a formula which is followed every episode. As soon as I spot what the formula is I find it hard to stick with it.

Recently the ones I have enjoyed have been played out over a number of episodes and have come to a satisfactory conclusion rather than dragging on repeating and repeating.

I can relate to this. Just trawling through the hundreds of things on offer is tedious. Then many things just meander on and on forever until I lose interest. I prefer one film or a short series really.

Having said that, the one thing I completely loved was Breaking Bad (I discovered it very late) It didn’t disappoint at all and I felt quite lost for something as good to watch when we finished it.

Yes I find it hard to start watching things. It's a mix of all the reasons given above but also that I don't want DH to miss out on anything so I never watch anything without him I find it impossible to watch TV when he's not here in case it's either really good and he misses out or scary/upsetting which most TV shows are now... it's bizarre!

"I find a lot of the popular series too sinister or unsettling to watch and leave me going to bed feeling uneasy and anxious" agree with this, I don't need the extra stress. . This is me too, generally after a stressful day at work l don't want to see more angst, tension and humans being awful in my entertainment time!

Definitely me too, and I don’t think it’s a phone addiction thing as mentioned by a pp. I love watching 80’s 90’s 00’s stuff and looking at my parents and they probably did the same kind of thing, they watched things like ‘last of the summer wine’’heartbeat’ and that sort of thing for decades after most people stopped and never tried things like ‘friends’ etc. Maybe as we get older we are less receptive to new.

I’ll also second a pp that things are just too dark and sinister now, the comedy, lighter element just isn’t there. And films always have a concept rather than a decent story. Oh god I feel a rant coming on. 😂