DD too obsessed with a TV show?

[moira123io]

My DD is 17 and has been completely obsessed with the TV show Criminal Minds for three years. She has the DVD box set and will watch the entire series on a continuous loop. She knows every line and can match a picture to the exact episode (she knows them all by name).

It seems petty to take her laptop away and ban her from the TV as she is an excellent student and this doesn't get in the way of her studies, part-time job or social life. I just don't think it's normal or healthy (and I'm sick of seeing and hearing about it!).

Am I overthinking this? What to do?

Well she's very nearly an adult, and it's not negatively affecting her life. So I'd leave her be

I know plenty of adults (inc myself) similarly obsessed with certain tv shows (hello - look at the success of soaps!) if it's not affecting her studies or general behaviour it's really up to her.

For me I was more into music at that age, but in my 20's it was friends. I can still if someone says a quote tell them which season, episode and characters said it and which vhs cassette number it was I even had all the tie-in books at one point.

There's also people very into eg marvel films and go to the conventions and dress up etc.

MUCH worse she could be into at this age.

She's 17, it's just a TV programme. Leave her alone.

YABU Criminal Minds is my favourite show. I've just watched all 13 seasons back to back (5th or 6th time for some seasons) and I'd gladly sit down and watch them all again.
Is she interested in profiling and serial killers in general? That's why I started watching it...I love the science behind the BAU. It's a strange passion and most people find it weird, but if it's a subject she enjoys then let her embrace it. She could make a great career for herself if she's interested enough to study it.

Unless she only watches for the delights that are Agent Morgan and Dr Reid. Then again, YABU.

YABU it's not affecting any of her life. Leave her be. I love watching Criminal Minds and have watched the series over and over (current obsession Supernatural). It's ok to let her do her own thing. In my opinion it's better than being obsessed with soaps.

I’m obsessed with Criminal Minds too (user name is probably a giveaway )

I think it’s fine, and like another poster said, maybe she could persue a career in that sort of field?

You'd actually take away her laptop/ban her from watching TV because she likes a programme?! I've heard it all now. Poor kid. Leave her alone.

Shit, quit worrying. In my 50 some years I've had favourite books and book series I can recite page for page having read them over and over and over, entire music back catalogues of favourite bands and artists ditto, I have watched and continuously rewatch tv series from Monty Python to Buffy to the Wire taking in Sopranos and Breaking Bad and various movie franchises along the way. I still managed to be a functioning adult, get a good degree, have a successful career, form a healthy and happy relationship with my DH and bring up two pretty awesome well-balanced and productive DC. She's p a superfan of a given thing or things. We exist in many many variations from Trekkers to trainspotters. As 'addictions' go it's harmless, be grateful she's not doing drugs or mugging old ladies to support a gambling habit, let her be.

If that’s all she’s giving you worry about when she’s 17, you’re both doing prettywell tbf.

There is a lot of comfort to be found in the familiar. I've had similar 'obsessions', like Futurama, Buffy, Supernatural. You know the episode, the dilemmas, the characters, the jokes. There's no worry, or what's going to happen moments. Unless someone is say.. demanding to be referred to as a characters name, or doesn't ever sleep for watching, or something unhealthy, it's just a familiar thing.

I wouldn't worry. Growing up I read the Harry Potter books back to back repeatedly. I've probably read the series 20 or 30 times. I was obsessed, between age 7 and 16.

I'm 22 now and quite normal

I think it's normal. Mine watched Buffy I was concerned. It will pass.

@MaryDoloresOHoolihan No, I specifically stated that would be petty so no one would suggest it.

Agreeing, as above, it’s totally normal. It’s nice she’s clever enough to remember everything!

Just to add though, Premier and Goldilocks, Dean is mine. And so is Sam. You can fight over Castiel. Or Charlie.

You can all back the hell away.

Sam loves me.

Thing is OP you say you won't take her lao top away or Baan the tv because it is indeed petty. It's not affecting her studies or social life so you don't need to redress the balance. So what else could you do?
Or would wabt to do? Is it just because she constsntly tells you about it and that annoys you?
Can you do an I know DD, you told me about it the last 7 time times you watched it lol" without her being offended?
Or a more direct "you know I'm micj rAther hear about your day than theirs DD?"

Moira. Yes, I understand that. You have obviously thought about it though, and I was trying to get across, very badly as it was 3am here and I was tired, that you were overreacting. As someone who has children with very real problems, I was frustrated that a behaviour so innocent and, really, non-problematic was being dramatised and that she might be sanctioned because of it. Glad to hear that's not the case.

I was like this myself with Friends when I was a similar age, shouldn't worry about it, I turned out fine, I know many of my friends' kids have had their obsessions (unicorns, harry potter, disney, etc.) and all turned out fine.

It can certainly seem very strange, almost worrying, but I think it's just the way of the world.

Best Wishes.

I was like this with Buffy and Angel. I watched all series' repeatedly, knew every episode name, the script and everything. Me and my friend were obsessed. We had tonnes of merchandise and every inch of wall space covered in posters. We both turned out fine

Totally fine, but I think some personality types become obsessed/repeat stuff more than others. I can watch the same film many times but friends can only see something once. Don’t worry about it.

I wouldn't be too worried as you say she's OK otherwise. I've definitely had periods in my life of being over the top obsessed with a TV show because I wasn't coping well with problems in my life.

It sounds benign (and doesn't cause physical harm like alcohol or drugs would) but if it became more of a crutch than a comfort and was affecting her ability to function (if she was neglecting other important parts of her life including a real life social life) then it could be a bit of a worry.

I'd say you're overthinking it, it's nice to have something like that in your life that you can relate to and come back to for comfort.

No different to listening to the same record on repeat imo

I was The X-Files as a teenager, then Buffy and Angel, then CSI. Then reading and history took over and I'm probably still as bad

my teenage daughter is obsessed with Charmed. She's watched it countless number of times. It's like a comfort blanket to her.

(I thought you were going to say Love Island).

She could go on Mastermind with that show as her specialist subject.

I was obsessed with Charmed back in the day! I also watch a lot of criminal profiling programmes, and have a book shelf which would make the average burglar concerned but I’ve not killed anybody. Yet.