How I Combat Media Overwhelm

Ever since TV went binge there has been a decision paralysis problem. The opposite of "500 channels and nothing on" (which...is still very true again) there is instead so much Prestige content and Films of Note all at once that the list gets overwhelming very quickly. Add to that my penchant for digging into all the previous decades of works, plus at least desiring to be well-read, and all the music that is constantly being released, even hobby time can feel like work. My solution for this is perhaps insane, as you will soon see, but it also fits into my need to watch everything in order, from the beginning (I don't recommend being this type of personality) and it feels like I'm reconstructing a television schedule where sometimes you just have to watch what's given to you and there's less buyer's remorse.

So my solution is not a single unending list but a variety of "projects" that I can flip between. None of the projects, I believe, will ever actually reach completion, which is both freeing and annoying - but as long as I keep in mind that the purpose is not to get 100% but to get what I can from the experience, it keeps me going. I often also get ideas for projects but know that if I'm not absolutely committed I won't see them through. I watched all of Fast & Furious in a weekend because I knew that I could do it - theoretically finishing my Bond run similarly won't be that difficult (stuck in the Brosnan years). Sometimes I stick with a project for a week or two and them completely drop it for something else. Sometimes watching an entire run of a show (like Cheers or Dimension 20) should count as a project but doesn't fit into a larger Project Theory. They still count (I'll try to list them all at the end) but don't get a square in my habit tracker.

Oh right, yeah. There's also a habit tracker.

My Projects:

Daily Episode: This started as an episode of Classic Who daily. A quick low-commitment way to steadily get through a ton of content. It's only half an hour (22 minutes really) a day! It is now Peyton Place daily and once that's done will be Emmerdale Farm daily. (Or Dark Shadows? Early Emmerdale first...)

Doctor Not Doctor (DND): I watch every appearance of a Doctor Who actor outside of their Doctor role in chronological order of release. Hartnell's first film was in 1932 (the first existing film is 1935) and I'm currently watching the 1961 Season 2 of Maigret for a Troughton appearance.

2017: I watch everything I would have watched in 2017 if I hadn't been in grad school, in calendar and airing order. I started this project in fall of 2018 with the fall of 2016. In order to watch the 4th season of Endeavor in Jan 2017, I have watched all of Inspector Morse and am in season 3 of Lewis.

Blorbo Day: My friend and I trade episodes of our favorite blorbos. Started with Starsky & Hutch/Breaking Bad, now Better Call Saul/Quantum Leap. I have also started the Blake's 7 journey with a different pair of friends. This doesn't feature on my habit tracker but it is extremely important and ongoing.

2021: Making my way through a library of significant or interesting movies released in the year from Jan - Dec. Currently wrapped up Dec 2021. Started this in 2023.

J2: Jake Gyllenhaal and Joseph Gordon-Levitt were born in the same year! This realization blew my mind as they've both had a massive effect on my life and are two of my absolutely favorite artists. Both child actors, I'm watching through their careers in tandem. Yes, the title of this is a Supernatural joke.

Next Picture Pod: Another attempt to catch up with movies, this podcast started in 2016 and after 3 years I'm about 6 episodes in. "Midnight Special" has been up next for about 6 months.

1001 Movies: Based on the amalgamated letterboxd list, I just try to find good movies to watch, sometimes in order. I'm never going to finish this as I personally do care to watch Birth of a Nation or Riefenstahl's Olympics. Also some of the choices on this list absolutely baffle me. But it's good for when I feel like "watching something smart."

Bond: hopefully self-explanatory since I mentioned it above

2025: Literally anything that has released this year like good god watch something relevant. Ask me about The Pitt.

fandom: Anything I deem relevant to fandom pursuits or history outside the rest of my projects. Can range from The Sentinel to The Persuaders to Sleepy Hollow. Slowly going through Here Come The Brides (David Soul), 9-1-1 (buddie), Colditz (David McCallum). Haven't found a new "object" since S&H.

Stuff I Watch From The Beginning In Order That Doesn't Count As A Project:

• Star Trek (wrapping up Season 2 of TNG)
• Cheers
• Dimension 20
• Gunsmoke
• Beverly Hills 90210
• Power Rangers
• SNL
• The X-Files

How would you divvy up your watching (if at all)? Does this method sound exhausting or fun to you? To me it's both! Let me know what you're thinking by email or in the comments.

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