What'cha Watchin'?

Photo: Economic Times, via Google.

Before COVID-19 forced us to isolate ourselves from one another, we used to have my parents over to watch programs on Netflix and Amazon Prime. DW and I had introduced my folks to The Crown, even willing to watch seasons 1 and 2 over again so that my parents could catch up before we moved on to watch season 3.

We were doing the same with The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, re-watching the first two seasons, when the global pandemic kept my folks away. We were only halfway through the second season, and DW and I are dying to see season 3.

We also watched the dark and disturbing British crime series, The Fall. We all needed to watch something light after an episode, and so we'd often put on the Baroness Von Sketch to bring our stress levels down.

Before self-isolation, my father had had a mild cardiac episode and had to spend a few days in the hospital (he's totally recovered now). While he was in the hospital, I lent him my Samsung tablet, which DW and I had loaded up with Netflix shows that we thought he would enjoy watching. When he returned home, I told him that he could hang on to the device, as I seldom used it.

I'm glad he kept it. He and my mother now enjoy Netflix, which they broadcast to their TV through Chromecast. At least, they won't fall behind on some of the shows we used to watch together.

For ourselves, DW and I have begun watching new shows to make up for the fact that we can't go to a pub with our friends, to a restaurant, to a movie theatre, or anywhere. Of course, these shows are new to us but have been around for quite some time.

We were watching Six Feet Under until I became bored with it, somewhere halfway through the second season. DW still watches it. We've started watching Boardwalk Empire, which is essentially The Sopranos, but in the 1920s.

DW and DD16 have started binging on Gray's Anatomy for the umpteenth time, and are hooked on Jane the Virgin.

One program that I just started watching is another British crime series, The Capture. Right now, I'm in the what-the-hell-happened? phase.

What have you been watching while you've been stuck inside? What shows should I check out?

I've been watching some YouTube channels that I follow, from photography and video tips to beer reviews. Some of my favourites include the following:

• COOPH (Cooperative of Photography)—ideas, tips, and hacks for D-SLR, smartphone, and video.
• Insta360 TV—because I have an Insta360 One X camera, I like to get ideas and see how shots can be done. And because Hannah Wilson is adorable (her Scottish accent makes me melt).
• Best360—Shanil Kawol reviews all 360 cameras but he has been a fan of the Insta360 One X since it was released and he has given me some great tips.
• Tony & Chelsea Northrup—this photographer couple provide great tips and reviews on a wide variety of camera and photography equipment. Their videos are also so well polished that I find them inspiring.
• INT AFFAIR—Jen & Rafael used to work in an office together and decided to quit, liquidate their assets, and travel the world, making videos along the way. I initially started watching them when DW and I were getting ideas for our upcoming (hopefully) trip to Belgium, Germany, and The Netherlands. I watched a bunch of their videos, not only for the travel information but to get ideas about how I would like to capture our trip on video. But I also fell in love with this cute couple for their dynamic, and became hooked on some of their videos from Thailand, remembering the places that DW and I had visited so long ago.
• Drunk Polkaroo—if you don't understand his name, we just might not be able to be friends. This Hamilton, ON, down-to-earth craft-beer lover (borderline alcoholic?) is part philosopher, part reviewer. He has reviewed a lot of beer (about 1,500!), often a couple each day. I'm both impressed and concerned at the same time. He drinks local, so you'll see beer mostly from Southern Ontario. He makes me want to go out and drink all the beer.

Of course, I have my own Brown Knowser YouTube channel, but it's in its early stages, as I become more comfortable in front of a camera and improve my cinematic skills. To date, I only have nine videos that waste just under two hours of your life that you're never going to get back.

But since you're cooped up at home, saving the planet by maintaining a physical distance from others, maybe now's the time to waste some time.

Happy watching.