To think Gogglebox is the sign of a deeply lonely society

[Pavementworrier]

The comfort of feeling like you're watching TV with friends or a beloved relative

Weep

Yea I agree!

YABU

Oh ffs it’s television program
. I watch no way do I think they are my friends

I think it’s a sign that the art of good conversation is dead. My best friend loves it, I can’t stand it.

Now I feel bad for enjoying it...I am pretty lonely though and it does help.

They're funnier though.

They just make funny comments. Same as watching a comedian. I don’t think of any of them as friends!!

Yes, I used to watch the UK one just so I could have a ‘shared experience’ with other people when I lived in another country.

I agree. For a lot of people, it’s what life used to be like: sitting watching something together. Doesn’t happen nearly as often nowadays.

I do

See also - tiktokkers vlogging their ordinary daily lives

We watch Gogglebox, but we certainly don’t do it because we feel like we’re watching with friends or family.

I don’t think OP meant people literally view them as friends.

I think she meant the shared experience of watching something with someone else, seeing their reactions.
Like reaction videos on YouTube, or following along on Twitter when everyone’s watching the traitors finale and tweeting.

No

I like watching gogglebox bout could not tolerate anyone I’m watching TV with behaving as if they are on gogglebox - shush and let me watch!

I think you're probably right OP.

Reaction videos are a similar thing.

And kids watch other people playing games on YouTube etc.

I watch it with my dh and adult dc because we think it's funny, I dont think loneliness has anything to do with it.

Okay, that is not what I thought this programme was about

Very confused now

people don't sit and watch something at the same time as the Gogglebox do they?

I think I just like knowing others opinion on a program I’ve seen!

Am I the only one who finds it mind numbling boring? I watch reaction/review videos on YouTube which offers more analysis and insight, but Googlebox doesn’t get into any indepth commentary at all. It doesn’t even begin to get interesting.

How have we reached a point where we’re watching people watch tv while making bland polite small talk 😴

I like Gogglebox, gives a broad overview of popular TV shows if there's anything interesting and worth watching.

I watch it for the entertainment value and so that I don't have to watch whole episodes of trashy TV. It gives me the "highlights" so I can join in discussions with others.

I don’t watch it often now but I did during lockdown and I was delighted it was there then. Nice people on telly being normal. Not about snogging or tricking people. It’s quite nice really.

Nope, that’s exactly how I feel about it. Exactly.

I think it's just interesting to see how others react to things. I also like an over view of the week's TV in case there is something I want to watch!

Nah, I just like watching it because I find it funny 🤷‍♀️