Youtubers reacting to TNG episodes

[t_smitts]

There's a lot of Youtube videos of folks watching various shows and the occasional movie (fair use laws say you can show 10 minutes of footage). It can actually be fun seeing people's reaction to the shocking or moving moments of a show.

Usually, it's current stuff and not so much older stuff, so it was a pleasant surprise to find a couple of girls reacting to TNG. One's a longtime fan, the other's a newbie. As of this week, they're up to "Datalore". Not surprisingly, Data quickly became the newbie's favorite.

The only two frustrating things are that they're only doing one episode a week, meaning it's gonna take them at least a good three years to get through it (assuming they don't take any breaks), and the the fact that CBS pulled some of the vids on copyright grounds, despite complying with Fair Use.

Might be worth checking out though:

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[Takeru]

There's a lot of Youtube videos of folks watching various shows and the occasional movie (fair use laws say you can show 10 minutes of footage).

The laws don't say that at all, reaction videos are not fair use. Staying under 10 minutes means most copyright owners tolerate the videos but they are still 100% illegal and the reactors could be sued at any point. The copyright disclaimers many post at the start of their videos are meaningless.

 

[Kor]

I still don't "get" the whole phenomenon of reaction videos. If I want to see reactions to a TV show or movie I like, then I'll show it to some people I actually know.

Kor

 

[Takeru]

I get the appeal, it's a nice way to rewatch things. You could see reactions of someone you know but of course you'd have to find someone who wants to watch it and then you have to get together.

 

[Qonundrum]

It's hilarious how the one in the uniform is grimacing apologetically while the newbie tries to take it all in, either half-bored or half-laughing or half-interested and/or half-full of popcorn. Though both had refreshing moments of insight.

Loved their compliments on the music! Reminds me of how people say "ABBA are so 70s but so good!" Good is good, regardless of time period and that's what's great!

I giggled over the meta commentary from the newbie citing "Is he watching the same show as us?"

"The Star Trek version of the first time you go into the TARDIS" -

The newbie laughs at the right time over Data's rather incomplete "age so precisely" line.

"Classic Star Trek" is now a title accorded TNG. Makes one feel as if TOS was made just before stonehenge was...



But the videos where showing today's young teeniebopper how to use a real computer - like a Commdore 64 or Apple II, or even a DOS/Windows 3.x clone - or even a cartridge-based games console like NES or Atari 2600 are far more fun. And educational.

But why is it more fun? Because anyone can sit through and enjoy TV, no matter how expensive or how cheap the visuals and sound look.

Now have they seen any Doctor Who episodes from 1963? Time to checkout their main page...

 

[Qonundrum]

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This one's a genuine laugh-per-minute. Nice to see Data being adored too, which is great...

Nice to get the explanation (homage to "The Naked Time", one I wish they had sat through prior to this one as TOS's version was infinitely better than the (erm) version that was put up for TNG.)

"His clothes are so 80s!" LOL!

Worse, the next clip reminds me of Professor Farnsworth's invention in an episode of Futurama.

Then they get the only halfway decent scene of the episode, for character development not involving anything horizontal, of Geordi wanting to see like any regular person does.

It goes on for a while, of course, with the fan looking embarrassed (can't blame her) and the newbie looking completely stunned (can't blame her).

This is an interesting YT channel. Imagine if they had this in 1987 and teens were plopped in front of the set reacting to "The Naked Time". They'd end up heckling "The Naked Now"'s shallow inanity incessantly. At least William Ware Theiss designed the costumes; it's the episode's saving grace. Apart from Geordi and Data.

They really did a cover an impressive amount of season 1 TNG, didn't they! (12 episodes so far, at least and it's amazing they didn't stop after "Code of Honor"... )

 

[Takeru]

It goes on for a while, of course, with the fan looking embarrassed (can't blame her) ...

It's the "I told them TNG is a great, please don't let them think I have awful taste" face.

 

[Danja]

"Classic Star Trek" is now a title accorded TNG. Makes one feel as if TOS was made just before stonehenge was...



But the videos where showing today's young teeniebopper how to use a real computer - like a Commdore 64 or Apple II, or even a DOS/Windows 3.x clone - or even a cartridge-based games console like NES or Atari 2600 are far more fun. And educational.

I once had to explain to a twenty-something who Pete Townshend is (Hello? Guitarist for The Who? Rock God? )

 

[Farscape One]

I once had to explain to a twenty-something who Pete Townshend is (Hello? Guitarist for The Who? Rock God? )

I know the feeling. I've had to explain The Who on many occasions. Conversations go something like this...

Working overnight, classic rock playing, of course.
"What song is that?"
"Pinball Wizard."
"Sounds old."
"If by 'old' you mean a classic, yeah. The Who made a lot of great songs."
"Oh. What's the band?"
"The Who."
"The band that made that song."
"Yes. The Who."
"Oh, I thought you'd know who they were."
"I just told you. They're called The Who."
"The What?"
"No, The Who."

This goes on for a few more rounds before they finally understand the band is called The Who. These are actual conversations I have... surrounded by people who were born while I was in high school.

It's a good thing they don't ask me about a song right after The Who, The Band, and Yes all play one. I'd have to walk away before I get to that level of annoyance.

 

[somebuddyX]

Wouldn't you start with good early episodes? Measure of a Man, Q Who?

 

[Danja]

I know the feeling. I've had to explain The Who on many occasions. Conversations go something like this...

Working overnight, classic rock playing, of course.
"What song is that?"
"Pinball Wizard."
"Sounds old."
"If by 'old' you mean a classic, yeah. The Who made a lot of great songs."
"Oh. What's the band?"
"The Who."
"The band that made that song."
"Yes. The Who."
"Oh, I thought you'd know who they were."
"I just told you. They're called The Who."
"The What?"
"No, The Who."

This goes on for a few more rounds before they finally understand the band is called The Who. These are actual conversations I have... surrounded by people who were born while I was in high school.

It's a good thing they don't ask me about a song right after The Who, The Band, and Yes all play one. I'd have to walk away before I get to that level of annoyance.

This will REALLY confuse them :

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[Qonundrum]

Wouldn't you start with good early episodes? Measure of a Man, Q Who?

Cuz it'd be all downhill from there?

I'm just glad they got through the worst of the lot and haven't been scared off.

 

[Herbert]

I still don't "get" the whole phenomenon of reaction videos. If I want to see reactions to a TV show or movie I like, then I'll show it to some people I actually know.

Kor

Yeah, these reaction channels have gotten out of hand. It all comes down to personalities, as do most things in life.

 

[cgervasi]

I like commentary videos or podcasts where most of the content is content. I don't like just watching them watch the show and occasionally commenting.

 

[somebuddyX]

I think reaction videos to episode twists can be interesting if you come to an episode already knowing what's going to happen. Game of Thrones Season 8 was the only season I watched when it aired so it was interesting going back and seeing people react to scenes of Season 7. Avengers Infinity War snap reactions were interesting because my cinema was pretty quiet but it was cool to see people getting excited about different scenes.

 

[Paul Weaver]

fair use laws say you can show 10 minutes of footage

despite complying with Fair Use

What laws in what country?

I'm not aware of any "fair use" laws that specify 10 minutes, or 25%, or whatever. Look at Harper Row vs Nation Enterprises, where Nation published less than 0.1% of the copyrighted work and lost.

A quick look at that first video and it seems to be a terrible version of gogglebox, which itself is an awful format.

 

[Lance]

The thing I think I like about these two is the genuine enthusiasm they have.

It'd be easy for today's generation (the next generation? ) to make fun of the light naive plotting and bad haircuts of television circa 1987....

But these two approach it open heartedly, and if their upfront reactions are for real, then it appears they're enjoying it very much without bias.

I get a little tired of seeing the same old pessimism about TNG season 1, so it's kind of refreshing to see an audience who were not even born at the time, enjoying the first season in a very genuine, non-prejuduced way.

I see the newbie talking about how much she loves Data, and I sense it's coming from a very real place.

 

[Takeru]

I like commentary videos or podcasts where most of the content is content. I don't like just watching them watch the show and occasionally commenting.

Have you seen Steven Universe? Because then you'll probably enjoy the Steven University podcast, it's about a long time fan and a newbie discussing each episode (up until season 4 or 5 when they caught up to the most recent episodes and were on the same level), I really enjoy listening to them.

A reaction channel on youtube I enjoy is Semblance of Sanity, they watch anime, after the reaction part of the video they do really long an in depth discussions.

 

[Qonundrum]

The thing I think I like about these two is the genuine enthusiasm they have.

It'd be easy for today's generation (the next generation? ) to make fun of the light naive plotting and bad haircuts of television circa 1987....

But these two approach it open heartedly, and if their upfront reactions are for real, then it appears they're enjoying it very much without bias.

I get a little tired of seeing the same old pessimism about TNG season 1, so it's kind of refreshing to see an audience who were not even born at the time, enjoying the first season in a very genuine, non-prejuduced way.

I see the newbie talking about how much she loves Data, and I sense it's coming from a very real place.

TNG was too fluffy with its optimism and ideals at times, but its heart was in the right place. Or at least one that's still far more interesting at times... That I (among many ) don't always admit while merrily nitpicking script issues with grandiose and/or hackish aplomb... This always holds true or as a near-truism, several eras of Doctor Who needed x number of years to be appreciated by some. Which doesn't diminish production/scripting misfires or constraints but still...

It's great when younger generations actually give older material a try despite not having the latest CGI, camera angles, stereo, being in B&W, presented as televised theater plays, etc. I discovered movies like 'Sunset Boulevard" that way.

Indeed, having sat through a lot of season 1 lately - despite loathing a lot of it at the time, a lot of it I've warmed up to and even a freshness and experimental feel. For the most part anyway, some episodes are still quite embarrassing and/or missing their mark or act as if Fido used it as a mark... others I was lukewarm to or liked at the time and my impression either stayed or went up, rarely going down.

And seeing a new take from younger kids really adds perspective. At least for TV shows, those videos where kids are trying to use an Apple 2 or Commodore 64 and don't know what to do at the command prompt (or that rare instance where the power switch isn't found, which is a real hoot) and laughing and whining and in all probability won't be going into STEM... not so much. Well, maybe they will but it all does show where technology has gone to since. But the command prompt let the user feel like they're in control. Not the other way around.

 

[Lance]

TNG was too fluffy with its optimism and ideals at times, but its heart was in the right place. Or at least one that's still far more interesting at times... That I (among many ) don't always admit while merrily nitpicking script issues with grandiose and/or hackish aplomb... This always holds true or as a near-truism, several eras of Doctor Who needed x number of years to be appreciated by some. Which doesn't diminish production/scripting misfires or constraints but still...

It's great when younger generations actually give older material a try despite not having the latest CGI, camera angles, stereo, being in B&W, presented as televised theater plays, etc. I discovered movies like 'Sunset Boulevard" that way.

Indeed, having sat through a lot of season 1 lately - despite loathing a lot of it at the time, a lot of it I've warmed up to and even a freshness and experimental feel. For the most part anyway, some episodes are still quite embarrassing and/or missing their mark or act as if Fido used it as a mark... others I was lukewarm to or liked at the time and my impression either stayed or went up, rarely going down.

And seeing a new take from younger kids really adds perspective. At least for TV shows, those videos where kids are trying to use an Apple 2 or Commodore 64 and don't know what to do at the command prompt (or that rare instance where the power switch isn't found, which is a real hoot) and laughing and whining and in all probability won't be going into STEM... not so much. Well, maybe they will but it all does show where technology has gone to since. But the command prompt let the user feel like they're in control. Not the other way around.

I've enjoyed reading your observations about season 1 on here, too.

The thing I think I love about seasons 1 & 2 (and I really do love them for all their faults), is the ambition. Season 1 in particular is ambitious in it's taking of risks. Those risks don't always land, which is why the actual quality is so variable, but I admire that they took risks in those early couple seasons. Later TNG, and to some extent later Trek shows also, were far more consistent in their quality episode to episode... at the expense of being increasingly risk-adverse.

In retrospect, that sense of joie de vivre is what I adore about the first two seasons. I don't think I'd say every episode is good or even that many of them are. But they're never boring. That can't sadly be said for some later seasons.