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Do you expect spoilers in threads here
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Posted by: bdowell

After a diversionary discussion in the Alias - 5/2 (now says SPOILERS) thread I'm curious what the expectations are for most people that read threads in this forum.

Please answer the poll question and discuss further if you think you can add to the discussion.

Admittedly, I'll probably do a poor job of designing this poll, but please bear with me and if you can think of a better option than the ones listed, then please offer it as your choice.

The poll question - Do you expect spoilers in threads here in the Now Playing - TV Show Talk forum?

I'll add more details to the poll answers I'm offering to help clarify the answers if necessary. Please bear with me as I get the thread and poll going :)

Posted by: TivoGeezer

I assume they will be there. However, since spoiler tags are easy to use in this forum, it would be nice if people put them to more use.

Posted by: TiVaholic

I don't know where to vote. As long as it has the show name and date and/or episode title and/or episode number (i.e. 5x19), spoilers are to be expected.

Posted by: Mike20878

quote:
Originally posted by TiVaholic
I don't know where to vote. As long as it has the show name and date and/or episode title and/or episode number (i.e. 5x19), spoilers are to be expected.

Ditto. I voted for the last choice. I don't view a thread on a specific episode until after I've viewed it.

I don't expect spoilers in general discussion threads. I'm trying to think of an example... Maybe a thread like, "Boy is Tony Soprano gaining weight." Or one about Sydney Bristow's many disguises on Alias. Something like that...

Posted by: blueshoo

If the title of the thread includes the episode title and date, I'd expect spoilers regarding that specific episode. UNLESS, if it were explicitly stated in the title that there were NO SPOILERS, then I'd expect that to be the case.

Posted by: AJRitz

I do expect them, and I almost always read them (whether I've already watched the episode or not), but I still expect them to be tagged. It seems to me a simple matter of common courtesy and too easy to do (especially with the ability to QuickEdit now if you make a mistake) NOT to put the spoiler tags in.

Actually, I think the spoiler tags can be kind of exciting - they add an element of surprise and intrigue.

Posted by: allan

If I see a thread titled "Show XYZ - May 1", I expect there will be untagged spoilers, and I stay clear until I've watched the show. However, some people don't want to see next weeks previews, so those should be spoiler-tagged.

Posted by: YCantAngieRead

Yeah, I've been tripped up by the preview thing, which is in the rules here, myself. I guess I'd really not thought that some people don't even want to see previews.

But personally, I don't go anywhere near a thread if it's active after the air date and time. Regardless of the date on the thread or the spoiler tags. Which is odd, because as a general rule, I don't really mind being spoiled.

Guess I just figure anything that's posted after the original air time is suspect.

Posted by: IJustLikeTivo

All spoilers, all the time.

If you don't want to know, just don't read the thread. How much easier can it be?

Posted by: DLiquid

quote:
Originally posted by TiVaholic
As long as it has the show name and date and/or episode title and/or episode number (i.e. 5x19), spoilers are to be expected.

Yeah, these rules are clearly outlined in the "Posting Guidelines for the Now Playing Forum" sticky at the top of this forum. What's the controversy?

Posted by: macquariumguy

Spoilers, either tagged or untagged, don't bother me. I'm surprised I don't see them more often in the thread title. Just imagine "South Park 5/5 - Oh my god, they killed Kenny!" :)

Posted by: Turtleboy

I expect them, but out of common courtesey, you should label your thread.

Sometimes, people may want to start a spoiler free thread, and that's fine too.

However, what prompted this, was someome started a thread (and the title has now since been changed), in which the person wrote in the thread title "Alias -- 5/2 NO SPOILERS" and then in the very first post preceded to have spoilers -- which was totally bizarre.

Generally, the way things work is that after each ep, there is one thread talking about that show, and it's full of spoilers. However, in this case, the thread that was labled "NO SPOILERS" became the spoiler thread of the show.

I understand why David Platt was pissed.

Posted by: jones07

knowing spoilers does not bother me. I can still enjoy the movie or tv show.

I guess that comes from days not so long ago when you could walk in on a movie half way done and set for the next showing

Posted by: zaknafein

I find spoiler tags to be an irritation. If a thread title is talking about a SPECIFIC episode, spoilers are implied. Otherwise, some warning is appreciated.

Posted by: RichardHead

quote:
Originally posted by Turtleboy
I However, what prompted this, was someome started a thread (and the title has now since been changed), in which the person wrote in the thread title "Alias -- 5/2 NO SPOILERS" and then in the very first post preceded to have spoilers -- which was totally bizarre.

So, pointing out something that happens every time Sidney or Vaughn point shoot a weapon at a lead character is a spoiler?

Wow!

Posted by: cmontyburns

quote:
Originally posted by RichardHead
So, pointing out something that happens every time Sidney or Vaughn point shoot a weapon at a lead character is a spoiler?

Wow!

No, because we always know what will happen in that scenario. They miss!

Some people don't want plot details spoiled. That's fair. Some people don't care about being spoiled (really, for them, there is no such thing). That's fair too. There seem to be large numbers of both types of people in this forum. (A supplemental poll might simply ask whether people care about spoilers or not, and not whether they "expect" them.) Generally I think spoiler tags (or a spoiler indicator in a thread title) are a reasonable compromise for the two parties. Tags are easy to include, and a spoiler warning in a thread title is even easier. The alternatives to not having those are to either have the spoiler-sensitive avoid all threads referencing a specific episode of a show (although this does not cover all cases in which details can be spoiled), or to require all thread starters to be extremely explicit in their thread topics as to the content of the thread (e.g. "Alias 5/2 did not air in Punxatawney -- why?" instead of "Alias 5/2"). Since the latter is unenforceable and the former will reduce discourse in the forum in general, a compromise seems in order to me. Spoiler tags and warnings seem to be a good solution.

Posted by: David Platt

I think my views are pretty well public knowledge, since I was so vocal in the Alias thread about being upset, but I'll rehash them here.

I absolutely expect spoilers if a thread title contains a specific show name and air date, even if the thread title doesn't contain 'SPOILERS'. If a thread title contains a show and air date, plus 'NO SPOILERS,' I expect there to be no spoilers in the thread, as that's how the thread is labeled.

For one of the few shows that seem to have a single ongoing thread that gets added to after a new episode airs (Joe Schmo comes to mind), I expect untagged spoilers about the last episode after it has aired.

Posted by: dmlove51

I expect spoilers. What I wonder is how do you do the "secret" posts?

Posted by: brott

I expect to be spoiled regardless of title or thread name .. If it's near the top, then it is active and very likely contains spoilers. If I don't care, I'll jump in and perhaps be spoiled, but I will accept it is a pitfall of a risk that I have taken. I would never blame anyone if this were to happen to me.

However, I must point out that this expectation is not the way things should be. I agree with David in that if a thread is labeled "NO SPOILERS" that is should contain "NO SPOILERS." Let's at least call a spade a spade rather than calling a spade a club (sandwich). I expect them to be there, I avoid them, but they shouldn't be there.

Posted by: scooterboy

quote:
Originally posted by blueshoo
If the title of the thread includes the episode title and date, I'd expect spoilers regarding that specific episode. UNLESS, if it were explicitly stated in the title that there were NO SPOILERS, then I'd expect that to be the case.

Exactly. This was not a choice in the poll, so I couldn't vote.

Posted by: MikeekiM

I expect them...but some may not...so I don't mind seeing the word "spoilers" in the title...

What I do not want to see is to have a thread title with an actual spoiler in it... Like "Wow, wasn't expecting Kristi to be voted off tonight!"...

Now that would irritate the hell out of me...

Posted by: Ruth

I agree with blueshoo and scooterboy that if the title of the thread has a date in it, spoilers are expected and it's OK, because I know not to read them until I'm ready.

But in general threads ("favorite new show," "shows that are underappreciated," "best drama," etc.) -- and there are a lot of those -- then I expect spoilers to be tagged, absolutely. Because we are all TiVo people, and obviously we watch stuff at different rates. People should be able to talk generally about the medium of television without worrying that the discussion itself will cause it to lose some of its enjoyment for them.

There is an intermediate category of threads, with titles that are ambiguous as to what sort of thread it will be. ("Wow, Buffy is a great show!" or "West Wing's writing really has gotten bad") You can't tell from the title if they will be general discussions, or will lead right out with "Can you believe they killed off Kenny last night?! And Cartman lived!" before you can help but read it. For these, I think spoilers should be used. But I know there must be a significant percentage of people who disagree (because I see a lot of untagged spoliers in threads like that), so I just end up not reading the threads. I think that's kind of a shame, and people could do a lot better with labeling these kinds of titles with respect to whether people should expect spoilers.

In thread titles, spoilers *really* piss me off. Because then there is nothing you can do. This is a pet peeve of mine, I know I've posted about it before. I think it's very thoughtless. The whole forum works because you can self-select what information you want to have. You can always just not open the questionable threads if you're not sure or you're worried about it. If people aren't careful about the titles, then if you don't want to be spoiled you have to avoid the whole forum. And there is just no point in driving people away like that, when there's no real reason that a thread title ever needs a hot spoiler.

Posted by: smak

Well, as I said in the Alias thread in question, there were NO spoilers in the first post, and the second post preceded to basically say, "Well, this is the Alias thread, i'm going to post spoilers"

So even though, the thread was titled incorrectly, I find it hard to see how somebody could have skipped past the warnings and been spoiled.

Tagging spoilers in a thread with a show name and date is dumb.

I think the rules in the faq are pretty well defined.

-smak-

Posted by: jsmeeker

Yes.. I expect spoilers in any thread that discusses a TV show that has already aired.

Posted by: Hoffer

I don't know why people get all worked up about spoilers. It happens all the time around here. New people post here all the time and don't know how people feel about it. If you are that upset by spoilers, you shouldn't read this forum.

Posted by: rtype

If you don't expect spoilers by now, you're a moron because we obviously have them frequently. But I'm not sure that's what is really being asked. What is (or should be) being asked is: SHOULD there be spoilers in theads here?

It'd be nice if in the topic, the word spoilers is used somehow. People used to say "untagged spoilers" in theads that had untagged spoilers.

But really, if you're looking at a thread that has a tv show's title and date, you're asking for trouble if you don't want spoilers. It's sortof hard to discuss a specific episode much without spoilers. So um (DUH) don't read those threads until you've made time to watch them, regardless of what proper ettiquette is.

Posted by: Groucho

As long as the thread is clearly labeled with the date of the show, spoilers are fair game...as long as they are for episodes that have already aired. Anything that hasn't aired should be in tags...including previews.

Posted by: David Platt

quote:
Originally posted by smak
So even though, the thread was titled incorrectly, I find it hard to see how somebody could have skipped past the warnings and been spoiled.

Because if you click on the 'first new post' link, it doesn't necessarily start you at the first post.

Posted by: nyny523

Also, people should stay on topic - I was recently reading a thread from one show that refered to something from another show (one which I had not seen yet!). If the name and date of show is labeled, spoilers are expected - for that show only!

Posted by: Mike20878

quote:
Originally posted by nyny523
Also, people should stay on topic - I was recently reading a thread from one show that refered to something from another show (one which I had not seen yet!). If the name and date of show is labeled, spoilers are expected - for that show only!

Well, was it for a later or earlier show? If it was for an episode airing after the show being discussed then I agree it should be spoiler tagged. Anything that happened prior should be fair game because it's expected that you are caught up if you're reading about the latest episode.

Posted by: Mike20878

quote:
Originally posted by smak
Well, as I said in the Alias thread in question, there were NO spoilers in the first post, and the second post preceded to basically say, "Well, this is the Alias thread, i'm going to post spoilers"

So even though, the thread was titled incorrectly, I find it hard to see how somebody could have skipped past the warnings and been spoiled.

Tagging spoilers in a thread with a show name and date is dumb.

I think the rules in the faq are pretty well defined.

-smak-

Agreed... A whole thread with spoiler tags would be tedious to read.

I was the second post. I didn't feel another thread was necessary, but even so I don't believe I spoiled anything in my own post anyway.

David, what did you expect to see about the episode in the thread? I mean, it was a general subject about the latest episode. I really don't know what else could have been discussed without spoiling something. The OP probably should have posted his observation in a more generalized thread since it was just another observation of some of the absurdities of Alias that we all love.

Posted by: blueshoo

quote:
Originally posted by Mike20878
David, what did you expect to see about the episode in the thread? I mean, it was a general subject about the latest episode. I really don't know what else could have been discussed without spoiling something.

I'm not David, but it could've been anything.. asking for a tape of the show, wondering if it was his local station that messed up airing it or if it was all of ABC, maybe a comment about how ABC marketed this episode different from the rest..

That said, it piqued my curiousity, because I honestly wasn't sure what the thread would be about sans spoilers, and since I hadn't seen the episode before I opened the thread, I tread very carefully to make sure I didn't see anything I didn't want to, even though the title of the thread indicated there would be "No Spoilers" contained within.

I think episode-specific spoilers are appropriate in threads referencing a specific episode, but I completely understand, agree with, and think it's completely logical to assume that if a thread title says "No Spoilers", there wouldn't be spoilers...

Posted by: nyny523

quote:
Originally posted by Mike20878
Well, was it for a later or earlier show? If it was for an episode airing after the show being discussed then I agree it should be spoiler tagged. Anything that happened prior should be fair game because it's expected that you are caught up if you're reading about the latest episode.

It was for a completely different show altogether!

Posted by: scooterboy

Why is this so much harder than it needs to be?

If the title doesn't have "NO SPOILERS", expect and post spoilers.
If the title has "NO SPOILERS", don't post spoilers.

It doesn't matter whether you think a NO SPOILERS thread makes sense or not, it's just common courtesy. If you're determined to post a spoiler, start a SPOILERS thread.

I just don't understand why some of you are trying to justify spoilers in a thread clearly labeled "NO SPOILERS". There is no justification. Even if the OP changed his mind, as long as the title still contained "NO SPOILERS", it should be honored for the sake of those not expecting them.

If a park is labeled "NO DOGS", do you walk your dog there anyway because "hey there's grass and trees - they should expect dogs"?

Posted by: rtype

You may also think that there is no justification to drive faster than 80mph in the fast lane of a highway with a 55mph speed limit clearly posted. Not only was 56 illegal, but in excess of 25 risks being taken to jail, having the vehicle impounded, etc. The fine at this point is to be determined by the judge. (Or at least, this is how the highway laws work in some places.)

So you may argue that it's stupid to do it.

None the less, it is the fast lane and if you're driving 55mph in it and someone behind you intends to drive 85, the safest thing for you to do is get out of his way.

I'm not trying to "justify" anything. If a topic says "no spoilers," I'd probably not post spoilers myself. However, BECAUSE I HAVE COMMON SENSE, I'd probably not read a thread about a specific episode EVEN IF THE TOPIC SAID NO SPOILERS if I didn't want to risk having the show spoiled. So, yes, people should be more courteous. But you should also use common sense or in the least get over it.

(Man, do you ever feel pathetic just for replying to threads like this?)

Posted by: scooterboy

quote:
Originally posted by rtype
None the less, it is the fast lane and if you're driving 55mph in it and someone behind you intends to drive 85, the safest thing for you to do is get out of his way.

Interesting analogy, but:

1) "Fast lane" is a misnomer. It's a "passing lane" and if you're not passing anyone you shouldn't be in it anyway. (fodder for a different thread, and has been many times :))

2) By passing me at 85, it's not affecting me at all, much less spoiling something.

In my analogy, if people bring their dogs anyway then I have to worry about getting bit or stepping in dog crap. Either of those could "spoil" an otherwise good time. ;)

And yes the whole subject is pathetic! :)

Posted by: rtype

Ok, following your analogy:

No, I don't walk my dog in the areas of the apartment complex that have signs specifying not to (and yes, we really have such signs in our complex).

Yet, I still watch where I step because other people aren't as courteous about following such rules and everyone knows that.

Posted by: lew

I would expect a thread about a tvshow would include discussions about recently aired episodes.

If the episode aired then I don't think a spoiler tag is required.

The only reason the question even comes up is this is a tivo forum and some of us may not have seen the episode yet. TOO BAD, don't read the threads about the show until you catch up. Just my opinion.

Posted by: Crrink

quote:
Originally posted by lew
I would expect a thread about a tvshow would include discussions about recently aired episodes.

If the episode aired then I don't think a spoiler tag is required.

The only reason the question even comes up is this is a tivo forum and some of us may not have seen the episode yet. TOO BAD, don't read the threads about the show until you catch up. Just my opinion.

Your opinion is fine for an unmarked thread, but the thread in question said NO SPOILERS in the title.

For anyone to argue that David Platt should've KNOWN there were spoilers in that thread is silly.

Posted by: TivoDaddy

I think the problem with that particular Alias thread was that the OP's thread title had the show and air date plus added "NO SPOILERS" to it, then he started to talking about the show. So how are you supposed to talk about a particular show if you can't discuss the plot? What will you talk about?

What should have been done was for someone to start a new thread with the "Spoilers" tag on the title.

I usually stay out of threads until after I have watched it so that I don't catch any spoilers. Unfortunately with my schedule, it's weeks or months (not days) until I can finally read some of those threads, and by then it's too late to share anything because most everything about the show has already been discussed.

Posted by: lew

quote:
Originally posted by Crrink
Your opinion is fine for an unmarked thread, but the thread in question said NO SPOILERS in the title.

For anyone to argue that David Platt should've KNOWN there were spoilers in that thread is silly.

The thread referred to a specific show and date. I wouldn't consider discussing that particular episode a "spoiler". If it wasn't going to discuss the episode what would be the point of posting? I don't think spoiler tagged is required. BUT

I agree saying NO SPOILERS may have mislead some people, better to be silent on the issue of spoiler (for an episode that already aired).