Rewatching your favorite old TV shows can make you feel cozy and nostalgic while helping you reduce stress. But there’s a big problem: you already know all the characters, plot, jokes, and twists.
How about enjoying your favorite TV shows in a new light, with a new and more interesting experience?
Watch in new location
One option is to watch your favorite TV shows in a brand new location. It may not force you to forget key lines and plot twists, but it will help you form new memories and make the experience more compelling.
– Invest in a new TV or sound system. One straightforward way to change your experience is to invest in a new TV or new sound system. This is especially true if you’re currently using an underpowered or relatively old system. The combination of a bigger, clearer picture and higher-fidelity audio can make TV shows feel brand new.
-Build an outdoor bar (or similar outdoor venue). If you have the budget, consider building an outdoor bar where you can sit and enjoy your favorite TV shows (and sporting events). You’ll enjoy the fresh air and relaxed surroundings, and if you’d like, you can even mix up some signature cocktails to suit the experience.
-Upgrade your home lighting. Or, you can upgrade your home lighting to create a more immersive viewing experience. Even simple changes like adding LED lights to the back of your TV or introducing soft colors to your surroundings can make a big difference.
-Buy some new furniture. Likewise, you might be able to enjoy your favorite TV shows in a different way with some new furniture. Buy the most comfortable, relaxing pieces you can afford.
Watch with others
If you don’t have the budget to upgrade your viewing location, consider watching your favorite TV shows with someone else. This is especially powerful if you’re watching the show with someone who’s never seen it before; that way, you can experience life through them and have some new experiences talking about what’s happening on the screen.
This is especially interesting for TV shows with unique plot twists and developments, because the people you watch with may have similar experiences, thoughts, and takeaways as you did when you first watched. Even better, they may have novel points and ideas that you’ve never considered.
Confusing order
Another strategy is to mix up the order in which you watch related TV shows.
-In chronological order. If your favorite TV show presents events from multiple perspectives or points in time, you can rearrange the order so that events unfold in chronological order.
For example, the TV show Lost (spoiler alert) is known for its deft handling of multiple timelines, including flashbacks, fast-forwards, and even time travel. The events are presented in an engaging narrative that brings the sequences together, but each scene can also be viewed in perfect chronological order, from those that took place hundreds of years ago all the way to the “future.”
-Organized by topic. If the order of the episodes isn’t particularly important (as it is with many situation comedies), you can rearrange the episodes and watch them thematically. For example, you can watch episodes of The Simpsons grouped according to the family member or theme they focus on.
-Least favorite to favorite. Another strategy is to organize all the episodes of your favorite TV shows based on your personal preferences and watch them in order from least favorite to most favorite. Maybe you will change your mind after reading them.
Of course, these ideas are just to get you started. The only limit is your own creativity.
Read or listen to comments
Many television series are re-released with commentary from actors, directors, writers and other people who worked on the television series. If you’ve never experienced this, you should give it a try; you can listen to the reviews and discover new content about some of your favorite episodes.
Play interactive games
If you’re feeling creative, you could also design an interactive game that lets you participate in your favorite show while it’s playing. For example, you could keep a bingo card or have a drink every time someone says a certain line.
the old fashioned way
In this article, we look at some strategies that can help you watch your favorite TV shows in new ways. But remember, there’s value in rewatching for the sake of rewatching—even if you know every line by heart. The important thing is that you truly enjoy yourself when you return to this familiar and comfortable land.
