A perfect moment for a viewing party
Get back into the flow of socializing by gathering with a shared purpose
Viewing parties are back and they’re a welcome reprieve given that the past two years we’ve been watching monumental pop-culture moments mostly alone. Sure, a handful of people got creative during lockdown and set up projectors on driveways/backyards/streets and found ways to keep the viewing party vibe alive, but now we can do so safely and everyone is hosting them.
If you’re not familiar with the term, viewing parties are when people get together to watch something notable with a group of likeminded people. Awards season (Golden Globes, Oscars, Grammys) is prime for these sorts of gatherings, as are episodes of notable shows like “The Bachelor,” TV show premieres/finales, playoffs, etc.
There’s nothing new to them, but right now a shared in-the-moment viewing experience takes away the pressure of forced conversations as we attempt to get back into the flow of socializing.
It offers us an opportunity to get out of our comfort zone, to connect with others and be social during a time when we’re all feeling awkward and anti-social. There’s no pressure, since they don’t require us to be “on”; we have the thing we’re watching to fill in the gaps in conversation and when there’s a group of people, you can always exgc
use yourself if you’re feeling drained.
With a collective interest, anticipation and excitement that comes with not knowing how something
fold, there’s an amazing bond, too. It’s similar to the sentiment of being at a sold-out venue for a concert or game. Usually, people are wearing merch, there are cheers and boos, and everyone seems to have an opinion.
My friend Jake Gold (manager of the Tragically Hip and former “Canadian Idol” judge) invited me to join him and a group of his friends to watch the Oscars in 2020. I loved the idea of getting to watch it with people so entwined and invested in the entertainment industry. Gold had a whole spread of food and drinks and, as diehard music lovers, we all watched the performances intently, especially when Eminem came out for a remarkable, surprise, shiver-inducing performance.
The energy in his place that night was electric as we all sat together, w outfits and performances, as well as commenting, cheering and hooting and hollering at the screen.
Many of us do this on Twitter. I’ve spent many a reality-tv episode in front of my computer, typing out my thoughts, using a hashtag in hopes of gaining a sense of connection with other users. But nothing compares to the opportunity to do that in real life.
I reached out to my followers on Instagram and asked them to share their viewing party experiences. One of my friends, who’s an avid Raptors fan, told me he usually conducts them in the kitchen. “Fried chicken, or homemade pizzas or lasagna or something that’s hearty but also that I can do before game time so I don’t have to do anything other than ‘mind an oven’ once it’s on,” he told me via DM.
“It’s also interesting when folks are either new to it or not super invested,” he said. “They can get swept into the playoff energy because it’s so intense. Much more than a regular game.”
Another Raptors-fan friend of mine has been hosting playoff games on her driveway on a projector. Sure, she has her usual suspects of friends who come, but it has also attracts neighbours, who bring chairs and join in, and she says her favourite part is when randoms walk by and join too.
“Last year there was this Raptors game against the Celtics. It was a miserable night. I believe it rained a bit. And at the last millisecond there was this insane pass from (Kyle) Lowry to OG (Anunoby) and a buzzer beater win and it was so fun to be with other people during a very low pandemic time,” she told me via DM. She says any moment like that is better with friends. You jump around and cheer and it’s also a thing that they still talk about too. “Remember when we were out here for the OG shot?!”
Though you may still be wary of leaving your place, cosy as it is, I would encourage you to get out of your comfort zone. Whether it be for Game 6 or to watch something else, use a viewing party as your bridge into socialization. All you have to do is show up.