At this point in time we’ve probably all had it happen. I’m intensely focused on getting through several episodes of my favorite show and a mere two or three episodes into the multi-hour planned indulgence, Netflix feels the need to pause my show and ask…
Still watching?
OH THE CONDESCENSION!!! The nerve to ask such a question. Is there a problem? Was the fact that my eye balls are still glued to the screen not give you enough evidence that I am in fact still watching? Did my optometrist or therapist somehow figure out a way to make a passive aggressive jab at me while I’m sitting on my couch?
Do I have a strained relationship with Netflix where it just doesn’t know me well enough to know that YES, yes I am still watching.
I feel a similar feeling when artists insist on asking the crowd four, five, ten times during the show, “Hey is everybody doing ok?”.
I’ll give you one. At the beginning of the show you can use the old cliche line as a means to take the temperature (but still, come on, you can be more creative than that).
But if we’re three-quarters of the way through the show and you’re still asking if “Everyone feelin good?”…it’s a slap in the face to anyone who is paying attention. It’s condescending to your audience.
YES, everyone is good and ok and ready to have a good time…They didn’t leave…
They’re still watching.
p.s. If you need to take the temperature as opposed to FEEL the temperature, get more creative than “Is everyone doing ok”. You can do better.
p.p.s. Feeling the temperature as opposed to taking it is an honor to your audience and a badge of true performance maturity for you. It’s you instinctually knowing what to do without having to ask. Like an old married couple.
But you’ll never learn to feel the temperature if all you do is keep taking it. Feeling it is risky but educational. Taking it is safe and forgettable.
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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com