TV Streaming Discussion: HBO MAX UPDATE: WTF is Going on? Merger with PARAMOUNT?!
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- Start date
@ViCiouS
ew.com
Could this be trouble if he keeps this up?
John Oliver slams his network HBO Max: 'It's not TV. It's a series of tax write-offs'
John Oliver took another shot at HBO Max on 'Last Week Tonight,' accusing the streamer of deleting content for a "series of tax write-offs to appease Wall Street."
Could this be trouble if he keeps this up?
Not gonna lie, this looks epic.
@ViCiouS
John Oliver slams his network HBO Max: 'It's not TV. It's a series of tax write-offs'
John Oliver took another shot at HBO Max on 'Last Week Tonight,' accusing the streamer of deleting content for a "series of tax write-offs to appease Wall Street."
Could this be trouble if he keeps this up?
It is interesting how people in the industry either forget or do not understand that ALL of this is about money and power. And it does not matter about friends or feelings.
WBD is a huge company. They have to continue to trim the fat and focus on quality products and not spend money on products that do not move the needle. Lastly, for those who do not understand the idea of tax write-offs to increase profit margins, please take a business 101 course.
The 19 best sci-fi shows on Max
Max has a wide variety of can't-miss sci-fi series, from space explorations and futuristic comedies to beautiful postapocalyptic masterpieces.
The best sci-fi shows on HBO Max
HBO Max has a wide variety of can’t-miss sci-fi series, from space explorations and futuristic comedies to beautiful post-apocalyptic masterpieces.
By Eric MaurerAugust 22, 2022 at 02:46 PM EDT
Science fiction shows can transport viewers to new worlds, ask existential questions about what it means to be human, or just poke fun at our dependence on technology — sometimes all three at once! The HBO Max shows on this list range from android adventures like Westworld and Raised by Wolves to post-apocalyptic dramas like Station Eleven and Falling Skies, not to mention futuristic comedies like Made for Love and Avenue 5. Whether critically acclaimed or criminally underrated, each of these shows is a must-watch for any science fiction fan.
CREDIT: JOHN JOHNSON/HBO
Westworld
Based on the 1973 movie written and directed by Jurassic Park author Michael Crichton, HBO's Westworld brings to life a future filled with androids so lifelike, they are virtually indistinguishable from humans. What could possibly go wrong?
The robots are put to work fulfilling every depraved wish and whim of wealthy thrill-seekers from around the world in a huge, entirely artificial frontier landscape, complete with fake cliff formations and a Wild West saloon town. Here, the engrossing first season introduces us to heroes and villains, both human and not. But when the androids — or hosts as they're called in the show — begin to rebel against their programming and think for themselves, the humans behind the theme park are forced to face the deadly consequences. With a stellar cast including Anthony Hopkins, Evan Rachel Wood, Thandiwe Newton, Jeffrey Wright, Aaron Paul (in later seasons) and Tessa Thompson, Westworld begins on such a high note that it's worth watching even knowing that later seasons don't quite meet the same standard. However, the fourth season that just aired gets things back on track.
If you liked Westworld, you might also enjoy: Altered Carbon, streaming on Netflix.
CREDIT: IAN WATSON/HBO MAX
Station Eleven
What happens when you combine a devastatingly timely story from an award-winning book, the showrunner who wrote the mind-bending and melancholy Maniac, and a top-notch cast? Well, you get the gorgeous and singular miniseries Station Eleven.
The 10-episode story develops over multiple timelines, revealing the immediate aftermath of a deadly flu pandemic and the world that springs up decades later. Mackenzie Davis stars as Kirsten, an actor in a post-apocalyptic traveling theater group who was only eight when the world as she knew it ended. Himesh Patel, Nabhaan Rizwan, Daniel Zovatto, Lori Petty and Danielle Deadwyler round out the cast while Hiro Murai (filmmaker and frequent Donald Glover collaborator behind much of Atlanta and director of Childish Gambino's "This Is America" music video) helmed the first and third episodes. Meanwhile, the show's creative throughline comes from creator Patrick Somerville, who also wrote for The Leftovers and created Made for Love, two other great sci-fi shows that made this list — and Station Eleven is yet another feather in his impressive cap.
If you liked Station Eleven, you might also enjoy: Maniac, streaming on Netflix.
CREDIT: BEN KING/HBO
The Leftovers
Speaking of The Leftovers, let's get into this incredible work of television. While not hard sci-fi in a high-tech or alien sense, the supernatural mystery series is too good to leave off this list. Damon Lindelof, co-creator of Lost and HBO's Watchmen, teamed up with author Tom Perrotta to adapt the latter's book about what happens after a small percentage of the world's population suddenly disappears.
The show revolves around police chief Kevin Garvey (Justin Theroux) and his family, as well as others affected by the "Sudden Departure" like Carrie Coon's Nora and her reverend brother played by Christopher Eccleston. Amy Brenneman, Liv Tyler, and Regina King also star in this emotional psychological thriller that only gets better over the course of its three seasons.
If you liked The Leftovers, you might also enjoy: The OA, streaming on Netflix.
CREDIT: BETH DUBBER/HBO MAX
Made for Love
As previously mentioned, Made for Love comes from the same creator as Station Eleven, but the two are very different in deeply satisfying ways. Where the latter is dark yet surprisingly sweet, the former presents itself as a futuristic romance before quickly diving (sometimes literally with a dolphin) into extremely disturbing and unhinged waters.
Cristin Milioti plays Hazel, a woman who finally frees herself from an insufferable marriage only to find out the chip her tech-billionaire husband implanted in her brain can track everything she does. Billy Magnussen plays her deranged former partner, Byron, with that terrifying charm he pulls off so well. While often creepy and surreal, the series never forgets that it's a comedy, especially with the addition of Ray Romano as Hazel's father. So, if you're looking for a playful watch with an eerie sci-fi twist, Made for Love is made for you.
If you liked Made for Love, you might also enjoy: Black Mirror, streaming on Netflix.
CREDIT: JAMES DITTIGER/TNT
Falling Skies
Executive producer Steven Spielberg welcomes you to a world overrun by violent and extremely deadly extraterrestrials in this post-apocalyptic drama that originally aired on TNT, but earned its rightful spot among HBO's best sci-fi series. Falling Skies packs plenty of action and adventure along with family tension and sky-high stakes (no pun intended).
Noah Wyle stars as Tom Mason, a man who, upon aliens overtaking the globe, is just trying to keep his family together while also using his background as a history professor to guide his leadership in a civilian army. Over the course of five seasons, he learns to survive, contends with fellow humans and of course battles multiple extraterrestrial species. Moon Bloodgood, Will Patton and Doug Jones — who never met a monster prosthetic he couldn't squeeze into — also star. Falling Skies doesn't try to reinvent the sci-fi wheel, rather, it rolls along just fine on solid world building and compelling characters.
If you liked Falling Skies, you might also enjoy: The War of the Worlds (2005), streaming on The Roku Channel, Tubi, and Pluto TV.
CREDIT: COCO VAN OPPENS/HBO MAX
Raised by Wolves
Fans of Alien and Blade Runner will find a lot to love in this epic series produced by one Ridley Scott. Full of sci-fi spectacle, great performances, and profound themes of what it means to be human, Scott's fingerprints are all over Raised by Wolves — and he even directed the first two episodes.
The show starts with two human-like androids, Mother (Amanda Collin) and Father (Abubakar Salim), settling on an uninhabited planet after religious wars ravage Earth. There, they raise a group of children to be atheists so as not to repeat the mistakes of the past. But when a devoutly religious group of humans finds the new colony, the children begin to question everything they've been taught, and even the androids begin to evolve in new ways. With a fantastic design and high production value, not to mention many twists and turns, Raised by Wolves is a fascinating watch for genre enthusiasts and novices alike.
If you liked Raised by Wolves, you might also enjoy: See, streaming on Apple TV+.
CREDIT: JAMES PARDON/BBC STUDIOS/BBC AMERICA
Doctor Who
One of the most iconic sci-fi franchises of all time, Doctor Who is bonkers, hilarious, intense, and delightfully British. The universe-wide variety of adventures seen in the 13 seasons on HBO Max (not even counting the original episodes from the 1960s-1980s) means there's plenty of territory to explore with the Doctor and his rotating array of companions.
At its core, Doctor Who is about a Time Lord called the Doctor who travels through space and time while reincarnating into different forms — thus why 12 actors and one actress have assumed the lead role. Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant, and Matt Smith are among HBO's available Doctors, with each putting their own spin on the iconic character. The sheer volume of stories and lore may be intimidating for new viewers, but whether you start at the beginning or pick and choose which Doctors you like best, this BBC series has everything a sci-fi fan could want and much, much more.
If you liked Doctor Who, you might also enjoy: Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, streaming on Paramount+.
CREDIT: ALEX BAILEY/HBO
Avenue 5
Streaming has given high-concept, unique sci-fi shows access to bigger budgets than ever before, but that doesn't mean those projects have to be serious. Exhibit A: Veep creator Armando Iannucci bringing workplace comedy and social commentary to space with Avenue 5.
Hugh Laurie stars as Ryan Clark, captain of a giant space cruise ship full of snobby, rich space tourists, though when the ship's course gets changed from a few weeks to over three years, the classy decorum begins to break down. Also in tow is Josh Gad as the vessel's outlandish billionaire owner, along with Zach Woods, Herman Judd, Rebecca Front, Suzy Nakamura, and Nikki Amuka-Bird as various passengers and crew members in this one-of-a-kind space farce.
If you liked Avenue 5, you might also enjoy: Space Force, streaming on Netflix.
CREDIT: CRAIG BLANKENHORN/FOX
Fringe
If you missed this sci-fi procedural during its original run from 2008-2013, now is the perfect time to watch all five seasons. Co-created by J.J. Abrams, Fringe takes viewers on an intriguing ride through the weirder side of science with the Fringe Division of the F.B.I. tasked with uncovering the truths of this universe and those beyond.
Anna Torv (Mindhunter) plays an agent forced to work with an unconventional scientist and his son to solve unexplainable crimes. John Noble (Lord of the Rings) plays the eccentric Dr. Walter Bishop while Joshua Jackson plays his son, Peter. The unlikely trio begins to unravel the mysteries on the fringe of science, including alternate dimensions and parallel universes. The result is engrossing television that sucks you in like a black hole with its wider mythos and excellent one-hitter episodes.
If you liked Fringe, you might also enjoy: The X-Files, streaming on Hulu.
CREDIT: EVERETT COLLECTION
Babylon 5
Though almost 30 years old, Babylon 5 deserves a spot on this list for its break from the 90s' status quo of individually wrapped episodes, instead springing for the premise of a space opera that invests heavily into character arcs, almost in the vein of a fantasy novel. Add in deeply human themes of loss and personal growth atop the political drama of the Earth Alliance inching towards authoritarianism, and you have yourself a richly layered epic on par with the genre's greatest hits.
The show is named for a space station orbiting in neutral territory between systems controlled by Earth and those under the rule of alien forces. It's a precarious position that requires diplomacy and strong leadership, even in the face of sabotage. There's plenty of further political and extraterrestrial nuances spread across its 110 episodes and multiple TV films, but you'll only truly grasp them by taking in this sci-fi spectacle for yourself.
@Helico-pterFunk
thoughts?
Last edited:
The 19 best sci-fi shows on Max
Max has a wide variety of can't-miss sci-fi series, from space explorations and futuristic comedies to beautiful postapocalyptic masterpieces.
The best sci-fi shows on HBO Max
HBO Max has a wide variety of can’t-miss sci-fi series, from space explorations and futuristic comedies to beautiful post-apocalyptic masterpieces.
By Eric MaurerAugust 22, 2022 at 02:46 PM EDT
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Science fiction shows can transport viewers to new worlds, ask existential questions about what it means to be human, or just poke fun at our dependence on technology — sometimes all three at once! The HBO Max shows on this list range from android adventures like Westworld and Raised by Wolves to post-apocalyptic dramas like Station Eleven and Falling Skies, not to mention futuristic comedies like Made for Love and Avenue 5. Whether critically acclaimed or criminally underrated, each of these shows is a must-watch for any science fiction fan.
CREDIT: JOHN JOHNSON/HBO
Westworld
Based on the 1973 movie written and directed by Jurassic Park author Michael Crichton, HBO's Westworld brings to life a future filled with androids so lifelike, they are virtually indistinguishable from humans. What could possibly go wrong?
The robots are put to work fulfilling every depraved wish and whim of wealthy thrill-seekers from around the world in a huge, entirely artificial frontier landscape, complete with fake cliff formations and a Wild West saloon town. Here, the engrossing first season introduces us to heroes and villains, both human and not. But when the androids — or hosts as they're called in the show — begin to rebel against their programming and think for themselves, the humans behind the theme park are forced to face the deadly consequences. With a stellar cast including Anthony Hopkins, Evan Rachel Wood, Thandiwe Newton, Jeffrey Wright, Aaron Paul (in later seasons) and Tessa Thompson, Westworld begins on such a high note that it's worth watching even knowing that later seasons don't quite meet the same standard. However, the fourth season that just aired gets things back on track.
If you liked Westworld, you might also enjoy: Altered Carbon, streaming on Netflix.
CREDIT: IAN WATSON/HBO MAX
Station Eleven
What happens when you combine a devastatingly timely story from an award-winning book, the showrunner who wrote the mind-bending and melancholy Maniac, and a top-notch cast? Well, you get the gorgeous and singular miniseries Station Eleven.
The 10-episode story develops over multiple timelines, revealing the immediate aftermath of a deadly flu pandemic and the world that springs up decades later. Mackenzie Davis stars as Kirsten, an actor in a post-apocalyptic traveling theater group who was only eight when the world as she knew it ended. Himesh Patel, Nabhaan Rizwan, Daniel Zovatto, Lori Petty and Danielle Deadwyler round out the cast while Hiro Murai (filmmaker and frequent Donald Glover collaborator behind much of Atlanta and director of Childish Gambino's "This Is America" music video) helmed the first and third episodes. Meanwhile, the show's creative throughline comes from creator Patrick Somerville, who also wrote for The Leftovers and created Made for Love, two other great sci-fi shows that made this list — and Station Eleven is yet another feather in his impressive cap.
If you liked Station Eleven, you might also enjoy: Maniac, streaming on Netflix.
CREDIT: BEN KING/HBO
The Leftovers
Speaking of The Leftovers, let's get into this incredible work of television. While not hard sci-fi in a high-tech or alien sense, the supernatural mystery series is too good to leave off this list. Damon Lindelof, co-creator of Lost and HBO's Watchmen, teamed up with author Tom Perrotta to adapt the latter's book about what happens after a small percentage of the world's population suddenly disappears.
The show revolves around police chief Kevin Garvey (Justin Theroux) and his family, as well as others affected by the "Sudden Departure" like Carrie Coon's Nora and her reverend brother played by Christopher Eccleston. Amy Brenneman, Liv Tyler, and Regina King also star in this emotional psychological thriller that only gets better over the course of its three seasons.
If you liked The Leftovers, you might also enjoy: The OA, streaming on Netflix.
CREDIT: BETH DUBBER/HBO MAX
Made for Love
As previously mentioned, Made for Love comes from the same creator as Station Eleven, but the two are very different in deeply satisfying ways. Where the latter is dark yet surprisingly sweet, the former presents itself as a futuristic romance before quickly diving (sometimes literally with a dolphin) into extremely disturbing and unhinged waters.
Cristin Milioti plays Hazel, a woman who finally frees herself from an insufferable marriage only to find out the chip her tech-billionaire husband implanted in her brain can track everything she does. Billy Magnussen plays her deranged former partner, Byron, with that terrifying charm he pulls off so well. While often creepy and surreal, the series never forgets that it's a comedy, especially with the addition of Ray Romano as Hazel's father. So, if you're looking for a playful watch with an eerie sci-fi twist, Made for Love is made for you.
If you liked Made for Love, you might also enjoy: Black Mirror, streaming on Netflix.
CREDIT: JAMES DITTIGER/TNT
Falling Skies
Executive producer Steven Spielberg welcomes you to a world overrun by violent and extremely deadly extraterrestrials in this post-apocalyptic drama that originally aired on TNT, but earned its rightful spot among HBO's best sci-fi series. Falling Skies packs plenty of action and adventure along with family tension and sky-high stakes (no pun intended).
Noah Wyle stars as Tom Mason, a man who, upon aliens overtaking the globe, is just trying to keep his family together while also using his background as a history professor to guide his leadership in a civilian army. Over the course of five seasons, he learns to survive, contends with fellow humans and of course battles multiple extraterrestrial species. Moon Bloodgood, Will Patton and Doug Jones — who never met a monster prosthetic he couldn't squeeze into — also star. Falling Skies doesn't try to reinvent the sci-fi wheel, rather, it rolls along just fine on solid world building and compelling characters.
If you liked Falling Skies, you might also enjoy: The War of the Worlds (2005), streaming on The Roku Channel, Tubi, and Pluto TV.
CREDIT: COCO VAN OPPENS/HBO MAX
Raised by Wolves
Fans of Alien and Blade Runner will find a lot to love in this epic series produced by one Ridley Scott. Full of sci-fi spectacle, great performances, and profound themes of what it means to be human, Scott's fingerprints are all over Raised by Wolves — and he even directed the first two episodes.
The show starts with two human-like androids, Mother (Amanda Collin) and Father (Abubakar Salim), settling on an uninhabited planet after religious wars ravage Earth. There, they raise a group of children to be atheists so as not to repeat the mistakes of the past. But when a devoutly religious group of humans finds the new colony, the children begin to question everything they've been taught, and even the androids begin to evolve in new ways. With a fantastic design and high production value, not to mention many twists and turns, Raised by Wolves is a fascinating watch for genre enthusiasts and novices alike.
If you liked Raised by Wolves, you might also enjoy: See, streaming on Apple TV+.
CREDIT: JAMES PARDON/BBC STUDIOS/BBC AMERICA
Doctor Who
One of the most iconic sci-fi franchises of all time, Doctor Who is bonkers, hilarious, intense, and delightfully British. The universe-wide variety of adventures seen in the 13 seasons on HBO Max (not even counting the original episodes from the 1960s-1980s) means there's plenty of territory to explore with the Doctor and his rotating array of companions.
At its core, Doctor Who is about a Time Lord called the Doctor who travels through space and time while reincarnating into different forms — thus why 12 actors and one actress have assumed the lead role. Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant, and Matt Smith are among HBO's available Doctors, with each putting their own spin on the iconic character. The sheer volume of stories and lore may be intimidating for new viewers, but whether you start at the beginning or pick and choose which Doctors you like best, this BBC series has everything a sci-fi fan could want and much, much more.
If you liked Doctor Who, you might also enjoy: Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, streaming on Paramount+.
CREDIT: ALEX BAILEY/HBO
Avenue 5
Streaming has given high-concept, unique sci-fi shows access to bigger budgets than ever before, but that doesn't mean those projects have to be serious. Exhibit A: Veep creator Armando Iannucci bringing workplace comedy and social commentary to space with Avenue 5.
Hugh Laurie stars as Ryan Clark, captain of a giant space cruise ship full of snobby, rich space tourists, though when the ship's course gets changed from a few weeks to over three years, the classy decorum begins to break down. Also in tow is Josh Gad as the vessel's outlandish billionaire owner, along with Zach Woods, Herman Judd, Rebecca Front, Suzy Nakamura, and Nikki Amuka-Bird as various passengers and crew members in this one-of-a-kind space farce.
If you liked Avenue 5, you might also enjoy: Space Force, streaming on Netflix.
CREDIT: CRAIG BLANKENHORN/FOX
Fringe
If you missed this sci-fi procedural during its original run from 2008-2013, now is the perfect time to watch all five seasons. Co-created by J.J. Abrams, Fringe takes viewers on an intriguing ride through the weirder side of science with the Fringe Division of the F.B.I. tasked with uncovering the truths of this universe and those beyond.
Anna Torv (Mindhunter) plays an agent forced to work with an unconventional scientist and his son to solve unexplainable crimes. John Noble (Lord of the Rings) plays the eccentric Dr. Walter Bishop while Joshua Jackson plays his son, Peter. The unlikely trio begins to unravel the mysteries on the fringe of science, including alternate dimensions and parallel universes. The result is engrossing television that sucks you in like a black hole with its wider mythos and excellent one-hitter episodes.
If you liked Fringe, you might also enjoy: The X-Files, streaming on Hulu.
CREDIT: EVERETT COLLECTION
Babylon 5
Though almost 30 years old, Babylon 5 deserves a spot on this list for its break from the 90s' status quo of individually wrapped episodes, instead springing for the premise of a space opera that invests heavily into character arcs, almost in the vein of a fantasy novel. Add in deeply human themes of loss and personal growth atop the political drama of the Earth Alliance inching towards authoritarianism, and you have yourself a richly layered epic on par with the genre's greatest hits.
The show is named for a space station orbiting in neutral territory between systems controlled by Earth and those under the rule of alien forces. It's a precarious position that requires diplomacy and strong leadership, even in the face of sabotage. There's plenty of further political and extraterrestrial nuances spread across its 110 episodes and multiple TV films, but you'll only truly grasp them by taking in this sci-fi spectacle for yourself.
@Helico-pterFunk
thoughts?
I only saw 1/3 of the Station Eleven episodes.
Season 1 of Made for Love was good. Gonna eventually check the 2nd. Show was quirky & interesting. Short episodes to get through.
Batman Series, Urkel Holiday Movie Among Animated Projects Not Moving Forward at HBO Max, Will Be Shopped
'Batman Caped Crusader' and an animated Steve Urkel holiday movie are among projects no longer being produced for HBO Max, to be shopped elsewhere.
tvline.com
Shit why not bring back Beretta too and Starsky and Hutch! The Rookie?
Real talk...
A network with just those shows and Hunter, Colombo, Quincey, kojak, etc
I'd pay good money for that
Batman Series, Urkel Holiday Movie Among Animated Projects Not Moving Forward at HBO Max, Will Be Shopped
'Batman Caped Crusader' and an animated Steve Urkel holiday movie are among projects no longer being produced for HBO Max, to be shopped elsewhere.
An animated Urkle Movie...
Had to Google it...Family Matters is a WB property...
I see what they doing... not mad at it...
Seems to be a setup for The WB MultiVersus Game...
An aminated Urkle reintroduced to new generation...
Voiced by Jaleel White... get those checks...
An animated Urkle Movie...
Had to Google it...Family Matters is a WB property...
I see what they doing... not mad at it...
Seems to be a setup for The WB MultiVersus Game...
An aminated Urkle reintroduced to new generation...
Voiced by Jaleel White... get those checks...
Whelp all that is canceled now.
As it should be...
WB should create animated science shorts based on the MultiVersus with Urkle...
Use the game to introduce Animated Urkle (20 million players so far)...
Or even a Urkle/Scooby Doo crossover...Maybe then a animated series or movie...
Funny thing?
That is how it was damn near 50 years ago
Scooby-Doo met the globe trotters Phyllis Diller etc etc.
Crossovers and cross marketing and mixing demographics was always there
It's these new so called genius execs who not realizing what the people want.
Sidebar...
DC animation has historically and consistently crushed Marvel and they still have not found a way to properly capitalize on it.
All the CW shows should have had at least ONE animated movie with the original cast voices
After losing sci-fi epic Demimonde, two more J. J. Abrams projects have now been canceled
To lose one show is careless, to lose three is just...
YOU KNOW WHATS FUNNY after getting rid of cable i explored the stations that come with my Smart TV and they have channels that just show one show all day long like all of the aforementioned.
I believe it
I don't think anyone really knows just how many channels there are in total available
Free and pay
It's insane.
If these corporations really got their act together?
There is actually a very reasonable and economically fair system that would allow people to really craft a simple accessible safe viewing experience.
They really do FORCE people to cut cable and pirate stuff.
Cartoon Network Scrubs Infinity Train From the Internet
Now that the animated series is set to be removed from HBO Max, Cartoon Network removes all related Infinity Train content from the internet.
www.cbr.com
Laid-Off HBO Max Execs Reveal Warner Bros. Discovery Is Killing Off Diversity and Courting ‘Middle America’
Warner Bros. Discovery has axed about 13 non-white executives as it tries to climb out of debt. It will likely affect the shows and movies that are made.
Exactly. Just make the process simple and straight-forward for everyone (i.e. - all potential consumers). Have a menu format & loyalty program in place. These are your options. Combo 1, combo 2, combo 3, etc. After a certain number of years under contract - incentives kick in, etc. People shouldn't have to haggle with customer loyalty / retention people to feel like they are getting a "deal" or hear about people that are paying sometimes in the area of 2 - 3 times LESS than what they are for essentially the same plans / bundles when all is said and done.
As the saying goes ... pretty much everyone is paying different prices when it comes to cable packages, cellphones, and airline tickets. Some people are able to navigate the sales / deals ... and others are paying $$$$$ out of pocket every time and don't realize they're being taken to the cleaners.
It sucks. All people want to feel is though they're getting a "decent" or "good" deal. Not that they're getting ripped off at every turn.
‘Batgirl’ Directors Tried to Pirate Movie Before HBO Max Locked Them Out of Servers
Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah were in Morocco for the former’s wedding when they got the news. Panicked, they turned to impromptu piracy.
@playahaitian
My mom has mentioned the airline tickets one a few times over the years, as she has travelled quite a bit in the past 20 - 25 years. She jokingly noted if you walk down the aisle of the plane ... pretty much everyone has paid different prices (which is wild).
Case in point she booked some tickets back to Winnipeg, Manitoba for next month. She grew up there and left home when she was 17 to live on the westcoast with her aunt, then on her own. She goes back every year or two as she has a few brothers & their families / relatives still in Winnipeg. Her tickets came to just over $900 roundtrip when she bought them.
She was at a BBQ a month or two back and was talking to the new wife of her sister's ex-husband. They're still on good terms in that family. They had been back to Winnipeg in February and planned on going back again later this year. The new wife said to my mom (paraphrased) - "I couldn't turn it down. They emailed with one of their promo offers (before travel took off again this year) and it was something like $58 ... each way. I couldn't turn it down."
My mom was in disbelief like WTF ... "so you're paying $116, and we're at $900+ all in? How does that make sense? I am going to look into cancelling / getting a refund or exchange ... something"
When it comes to the TV channels / package bundles ... most people would be happy with simple a la carte if they could make that happen. People wouldn't mind paying for SPECIFIC channels, and not having to get things bundled up wherein they give you 5 - 7 channels (but realistically you only want 1 or 2 of those ones). End up getting 120 - 300+ channels, when in reality you only want 10 or less, lol.
My mom has mentioned the airline tickets one a few times over the years, as she has travelled quite a bit in the past 20 - 25 years. She jokingly noted if you walk down the aisle of the plane ... pretty much everyone has paid different prices (which is wild).
Case in point she booked some tickets back to Winnipeg, Manitoba for next month. She grew up there and left home when she was 17 to live on the westcoast with her aunt, then on her own. She goes back every year or two as she has a few brothers & their families / relatives still in Winnipeg. Her tickets came to just over $900 roundtrip when she bought them.
She was at a BBQ a month or two back and was talking to the new wife of her sister's ex-husband. They're still on good terms in that family. They had been back to Winnipeg in February and planned on going back again later this year. The new wife said to my mom (paraphrased) - "I couldn't turn it down. They emailed with one of their promo offers (before travel took off again this year) and it was something like $58 ... each way. I couldn't turn it down."
My mom was in disbelief like WTF ... "so you're paying $116, and we're at $900+ all in? How does that make sense? I am going to look into cancelling / getting a refund or exchange ... something"
When it comes to the TV channels / package bundles ... most people would be happy with simple a la carte if they could make that happen. People wouldn't mind paying for SPECIFIC channels, and not having to get things bundled up wherein they give you 5 - 7 channels (but realistically you only want 1 or 2 of those ones). End up getting 120 - 300+ channels, when in reality you only want 10 or less, lol.
Funny shit ... my mom's sister is trash. Difficult person to be around and apparently her ex-husband's new wife is really pleasant by comparison. Don't blame him for getting a divorce ages ago. They get along fine now - lots of grandkids. Mom's sister is still single (mid-70s) and dated some oddball for a number of years but they went their own ways.
On the flip side ... my dad's sister is the best. She's like a 2nd mom to us. Doesn't have any kids of her own, and is super easygoing and got married in her mid-40s and is happy these past 25 years.
They are complete polar opposites as far as aunts go.
My parents got divorced in the mid-90s ... so my dad really hasn't seen any of the members of ex-wife's side of the family since about '93, but I tell him HIS SISTER is way better than my mom's sister, lol. She just is! She treats you like FAMILY ... whereas mom's sister is like - "Who the fuck are you?" - when I have interacted with her at events, I keep that shit really BRIEF. I'm talking a few sentences.