Isolation Day 49: Finding something to Watch
It’s Not as Easy as You Think
We’ve reached that point in lockdown where we’ve exhausted our Plex server and everything on our usual streaming services. "Why don’t you just watch TV?" I hear you ask. Well, we don’t have—nor do we want—a terrestrial or satellite feed in the flat. Most of it is just repeats, and anything worth watching is already available via catch-up services.
I’ve moved almost all my daily viewing over to YouTube. It offers a massive variety of programming, but I do miss the simplicity of just turning on the TV after a long day and letting something play without having to make a choice.
Tangent: I had hoped that when YouTube launched YouTube TV, it would be software that made your subscriptions behave like a traditional Electronic Program Guide (EPG). Imagine a schedule that automatically organizes your favorite channels into a "live" feel—family-friendly content during the day, and your favorite creators in the evening. It would be amazing to catch the latest from your favorite YouTube heroes at the same time every week.
Two Standout Programs
In the last couple of weeks, two shows have really stood out: Red Dwarf: The Promised Land and Charlie Brooker’s Antiviral Wipe. Both took me back to when television was actually funny and thought-provoking—a combination that is rare these days.
Red Dwarf: The Promised Land
You might argue that "thought-provoking" doesn't apply to Red Dwarf, but it often explores different aspects of life from a unique perspective. This two-part, feature-length story had plenty of laugh-out-loud moments and finally explained what happened to the Cat species. It was great to see a new side to our favorite band of misfits. I won't spoil anything, but if you haven't seen it yet, you're missing a treat. It’s well worth watching on UKTV Play.
Charlie Brooker’s Antiviral Wipe
If you haven't seen Charlie Brooker’s Wipe series, you’ve missed out. He takes apart the week's news with his signature spin. The Antiviral Wipe was no different—and perhaps even funnier than his previous series.
This special focused on COVID-19 coverage, which itself feels like an episode of Black Mirror. Brooker doesn't pull his punches, which is refreshing. We even got the return of Barry Shitpeas and Philomena Cunk. Diane Morgan’s portrayal of the struggles of working from home and dealing with video calls felt painfully real! I really wish the BBC and Charlie could work out a deal to bring the Weekly Wipe back permanently.
You can catch Charlie Brooker’s Antiviral Wipe on BBC iPlayer.
What have you been watching during lockdown? Are there any specific YouTube channels you would recommend to someone looking for high-quality content? Did you see Red Dwarf or Antiviral Wipe? Let me know in the comments below!