Is it just me, or does my TV think I'm, like, profoundly clueless?
I mean, seriously, it narrates everything now.
It’s like I'm watching television designed for… well, let's just say a very specific demographic.
The Rise of the Know-It-All TV
I remember a time when TVs just… showed stuff. You know, the good old days?
Actors acted. Plots unfolded. I used my own brain to figure it out.
Now, my TV feels the need to constantly chime in, like a particularly annoying movie theater companion.
“He’s opening the door!” it bellows. Thanks, TV. I noticed.
“She looks sad!” Yeah, the mournful violin music and the single tear rolling down her cheek kinda gave it away.
Am I Missing Something? (Probably Not)
Maybe I'm just old-fashioned. Or maybe I’m secretly developing some kind of attention deficit.
But I suspect the real reason is far simpler: TVs are getting smarter (allegedly), and they’re convinced we’re getting dumber.
And frankly, I resent that implication.
Do they think we can’t follow a plot without a play-by-play commentary?
It's not like Christopher Nolan movie, where I need a diagrams and a philosophy professor to know what is happening.
The Unwanted Guest: Audio Description
Okay, I know what you’re thinking. “Maybe you accidentally turned on audio description!”
And yes, sometimes that’s the culprit.
But even with that feature firmly switched off, some shows and streaming services seem determined to hold my hand through every single scene.
It’s not necessarily a full-blown audio description, but this added narration is creeping into more and more programs.
It's subtle, yet sinister. The TV is slowly taking over the narration role.
My Unpopular Opinion: Shut Up, TV!
Here’s where I might lose some of you.
I think… I think TVs should trust their audiences a little more.
I believe viewers have the capacity to understand context clues, interpret facial expressions, and follow a relatively simple storyline. Gasp!
I'm not saying to make everything super complicated and only aim for Mensa members.
I just want my TV to let the story speak for itself.
Let the visuals do their work. Let the actors act.
Let me, the viewer, actually view.
A Plea for Subtlety
I'm not asking for a return to the silent film era.
Dialogue is great! Sound effects are fantastic!
But the constant, unnecessary narration? It’s overkill.
It's like watching Breaking Bad with Walter White constantly explaining his motivations to the camera.
It detracts from the experience. It insults my intelligence.
And honestly, it just gets really, really annoying.
So, TV manufacturers, streaming services, and program creators: please, I implore you!
Trust us, the audience.
Give us some credit. And for the love of all that is holy, stop telling me what's happening on the screen!
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I'm off to try and figure out how to turn off the voice that keeps telling me I'm getting a cup of tea.
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