TV and parasocial relationships
TV has changed quite a bit since I was young. I remember coming home after a long ride on the bus, and getting excited to watch whatever was on TV. I used to watch a lot of Looney Tunes, but I always did enjoy serialized shows. My only problem is as a young kid, I didn't follow serialized shows consistently. Why was I missing chunks of the plot? Even though I did miss them, some characters became like dear old friends paying a visit.
Not too long ago before the advent of streaming services, if you wanted to keep up with a show you either had to:
Watch the episodes as they came out weekly or;
Buy the dvds. Most people watched their shows in the former way. So, people would turn in for sometimes 20-25 weeks (don't quote me on the number) a year to watch their beloved characters. Now, I don't even see certain family nor friends that much a year.
So, in a way, you'd build a parasocial relationship with this show. Slowly, as the weeks would go by they would feel like a kind friend showing up for a quick 30 minute chit-chat on the latest gossip or news. These shows (Most people had a few shows at the same time) constituted as peers.
Think about it, some shows last as long as 9 years on television. Some are longer than that. Turning into Friends, House, HIMYM, Seinfeld, MASH, and others for that many years, those characters grow on you and grow up with you.
I believe you don't get the same effect with streaming platforms like Netflix or Prime. Instead of taking your time, you are running through them. Some people binge 5-6 episodes at a time. That might be great, but I think there
are problems with that. Now I am not dissing Netflix, Prime, Hulu, or whoever. The shows that they make and newer shows that they don't make take into consideration binging. Many anime, sitcoms, and dramas, make sure the episodes aren't too formulaic. But, going back to the problems with binge-watching shows meant to be watched weekly.
I believe you partially (not completely) lose that 'old friend' vibe of the show. Since you are finishing the show in anywhere from 2-6 months (some people in a few weeks), there isn't as much staying power unlike finishing a show in 9 years. This isn't to say that people don't watch and rewatch shows like Friends, The Office, or Seinfeld as a comfort similar to this 'old friend.' But I believe most people don't do this. They are on to the next show.
These shows aren't supposed to be watched like that. A lot of these sitcom or drama shows are made to be watched once a week. They are formulaic in a good way. They have a formula to stick to. That's a big reason why it shows have this 'old friend' feel after watching them for years.
I believe that these 'old' shows that aren't meant to be binged and these 'new' shows that are, both have their advantages. One advantage that the newer shows have that old shows do not, is that a lot happens during episodes. So, if you haven't watched it in a few weeks you might be lost. Now that doesn't sound like an advantage, but it encourages people to keep watching at a semi-fast pace. Watching shows at this pace has you watching more shows. They would look towards the studio's catalogue of shows and continue watching and interacting with them. Also probably other similar catalogues by different studios.
To finish up, I wanted to say how I have found more enjoyment in watching slowly. It might be counterintuitive when I say it, but I don't mind going days or weeks between watching episodes. If I forget? That's ok, it's kinda the process with older shows. That's why they have recaps. Even if I don't watch the recaps, I like refamiliarizing myself with the characters and the plot.
Also, some shows are episodic which help with forgetting. I am currently watching the Simpsons. I really don't think I would enjoy it as much if I sat down and watched 6-8 episodes a night nearly every night. It can get repetitive sometimes. But, I am watching it not even weekly. But when I do I watch 2-3 episodes to make up for it. It still gives me that 'old friend' vibe, because I am letting myself digest it at such a slow pace. BUT --- there are shows like Demon Slayer that I prefer to watch more regularly. Because so much happens (not always) between episodes, that I feel the need to keep up and not forget.