Intro: Mindless TV (Complimentary)

There is a new form of online shorthand in which someone makes a value judgment—such as the quality of a movie or a celebrity’s likeness—and then qualifies it with the word “complimentary” or “derogatory.” Some examples of this convention include:

• “They don’t make ‘em like this anymore (derogatory)”

• “The ultimate dad movie (complimentary)”

• “The ultimate plane movie (derogatory)”

This internet jargon turns subtext into text, so a joke will resonate in a digital space devoid of tonality. But the same dynamic also exists offline, where a speaker’s tone clarifies whether calling something a “dad movie” is meant as praise or criticism.

It’s with this in mind that I’ve noticed a new phenomenon: the rise of “mindless” TV (complimentary).

For much of television’s existence, calling this medium “mindless” was usually a critique of its content and the intellectual engagement required to consume lowbrow programming. A parent sees their child watching The Bachelor or The Masked Singer and derides them for watching “mindless” television (derogatory).

However, post-pandemic, I’ve noticed that people will describe a show’s appeal as “mindless,” with this practice going something like “This weekend I watched eight episodes of Is It Cake? while filing my taxes—it’s mindless but entertaining. I’d recommend it if you’re looking for a good background show!” Over the past thirty years, a program’s perceived mindlessness has actually become a selling point, at least for a specific type of viewing.

So today, we’ll explore the emergence of mindless TV (complimentary), examine the collection of behaviors that define this nascent phenomenon, and evaluate how this trend reflects our ever-changing relationship with television.

Today’s newsletter is sponsored by Arena Magazine.

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A Definition for “Mindless TV”

Mindless TV is a low-engagement mode of media consumption in which television offers ambient comfort or emotional ease through easily digestible stimulation. To be clear, this phenomenon isn’t inherently bad—it’s simply a different way of using the medium.

Mindless TV isn’t defined by