Stay away from media that no longer serves you
By Robert Scucci | Published: 2025-10-24 20:24:00 | Source: GIANT FREAKIN ROBOT
Written by Robert Scocchi | Published
There’s nothing more frustrating than watching someone refuse to turn away from media that no longer serves them. Gray’s Anatomy In his 23rd season. My wife has been sticking with the show since season 16, watching it every week, hoping it will “get good again.”
Currently, I’m doing the same thing with… South Park. I’ve covered Season 27 extensively, and my main takeaway is that I miss when the show focuses on strange local events in a small mountain town rather than Donald Trump and his orbit.
We are all human beings with free will (allegedly), and we do not have to continue consuming media that no longer satisfies us; We can walk away. Nobody gets hurt.
My relationship with the Simpsons is finally healthy again
One media property I moved away from at the right time was The Simpsons. I was born just a year before the show took over the world, and I grew up during the Golden Age and was spoiled by it. It was Sunday nights simpsons Nights. Replays play in a constant background loop during homework sessions throughout the week. By the time I was 12, the show had changed, and so had my media preferences, so I dropped out.
It wasn’t a dramatic breakup. One week I tuned it out, the next I didn’t. My enthusiasm faded, and I accepted that once you leave home, you can’t always come back.
Even now, I compare most of the anime series to the Golden Age simpsons In my head. My 7 year old daughter is becoming more familiar with later seasons because that’s what’s new to her, and that’s what she’s interested in. I’m surprisingly okay with that.
Her love for the other Treehouse of Horror The episodes brought The Simpsons back to my home in a positive way. I can literally quote early classics while trying newer things for the first time with my kids, and seeing what they like about episodes I never gave proper insight to.
It still is The Simpsons. I’ve accepted that later seasons aren’t for me, but they’re still in my house, and that’s harmless. I can be a tourist. I can come whenever I want and leave whenever I want. This feels healthy.
Most of the long-standing measures have come to an end
Look at any long-term procedure. NCIS, Christian Solidarity International, Law and orderand all of its numerous spin-offs have come to an end. Most people are preparing to turn away from this medium, but shows always find a way to keep fans engaged.
They tease a character’s exit, return, or death, hooking viewers week after week, so the ending “means something.” Spoiler alert: The reward is usually a disappointing cameo or dramatic development meant to keep the conveyor belt moving.
Even actors know when it’s time to leave. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit It was never the same after Christopher Meloni left following salary disputes. He wanted to try new roles across different forms of media, so he walked away when the juice was no longer worth the squeeze.
When Melonie returned years later Law and Order: Organized Crimelong-time viewers rejoiced, and lapsed viewers like me came back out of curiosity. Suddenly, I was enjoying the old episodes, and comfortably adjusting again. The media didn’t care about my departure. There he was, patiently waiting for my unceremonious return.
This is better than staying for years, checking in, and not feeling anything meaningful except disappointment.
Take a break, we’re in the live streaming era baby!
Star Wars and Star Trek are great examples of franchises that many of us feel obligated to keep up with. Their universes are huge, intertwined, and nostalgic. But what would happen if more fans moved away a little? Will creators rethink the trend? Will the focus shift to quality rather than content?
I’m thinking of moving away South ParkA media presence in my life since I was ten years old. The program is attracting larger numbers than ever, but it no longer serves me.
A lot of viewers who previously loved the same things as me seem to feel the same based on IMDb reviews of recent episodes. Maybe I’ll wait a little longer out of hope, but I know what’s coming. One day, I’ll stop listening. Years from now, after a certain distance, I will come back and see what has changed. If I like what I see, I’ll pick up where I left off. In the meantime, maybe I’ll find something new to fill the void.
Stepping away from media that no longer serves you seems like simple math. However, when some displays have lived in your home for years, they start to feel like roommates you don’t want to part ways with. Cutting ties is harder than you think.
Do it anyway. Stay away. Come back later if you wish. If it’s still good, you’ll come back to it again. If not, you’ll be glad you left it.
(tags for translation) Christopher Meloni
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