What's the appeal of watching spectator sports?

PrinceofLight2000 · #1 (**permalink**) 09-30-2010, 08:29 AM

I have a lot of fun playing when I get the chance, but I never understood the appeal of watching someone else play and getting all anxious about events you can't control which go on behind a TV screen.

Obviously there is appeal in going to a live game because half of the entertainment is in the atmosphere and social aspects of it, and not just the game itself.

So why exactly do all you sports buffs love to sit behind the tube and root for a team to win, to the point where it's so melodramatic that it appears as though life and death are hanging in the balance?

pam · #2 (**permalink**) 09-30-2010, 08:33 AM

Because I do.

livy111us · #3 (**permalink**) 09-30-2010, 08:36 AM

Amen, brother. I can think of about a million things I'd rather be doing that sitting on a couch and watching someone else play a game.

pam · #4 (**permalink**) 09-30-2010, 08:39 AM

To each his own. I've never understood those that can spend a day playing golf either. Scheduling T times at 6 a.m. etc.

I can sit and watch a sport that I really enjoy. One being football. While it's more exciting watching in person, I like watching a variety of teams. Obviously I can't go to all of them.

beefche · #5 (**permalink**) 09-30-2010, 09:01 AM

I enjoy the competition and seeing true talent as well as miraculous plays. I have favorite teams and/or players that I enjoy watching.

Dravin · #6 (**permalink**) 09-30-2010, 09:13 AM

Quote:

I have a lot of fun playing when I get the chance, but I never understood the appeal of watching someone else play and getting all anxious about events you can't control which go on behind a TV screen.

Do you find the concept of enjoying television shows or movies at home equally alien?

pam · #7 (**permalink**) 09-30-2010, 09:22 AM

Yes, I will admit...I do go hoarse from screaming and yelling at least once a football season. Just from watching it on tv.

pam · #8 (**permalink**) 09-30-2010, 09:25 AM

Quote:

but I never understood the appeal of watching someone else play and getting all anxious about events you can't control which go on behind a TV screen.

I have to disagree. There have been many times I've yelled out "DEFENSE" and a team was kept from progressing. So I can control it.

PrinceofLight2000 · #9 (**permalink**) 09-30-2010, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beefche

I enjoy the competition and seeing true talent as well as miraculous plays. I have favorite teams and/or players that I enjoy watching.

I enjoy the miraculous plays as well, but we've got youtube and the highlight clips for that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dravin

Do you find the concept of enjoying television shows or movies at home equally alien?

No, because those can actually keep my interest since there's always something going on that's pre-planned out. Most of the time with sports there aren't any huge plays, and it gets to be quite boring. I find this is especially true with soccer, where goals are few and far between.

beefche · #10 (**permalink**) 09-30-2010, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PrinceofLight2000

No, because those can actually keep my interest since there's always something going on that's pre-planned out. Most of the time with sports there aren't any huge plays, and it gets to be quite boring. I find this is especially true with soccer, where goals are few and far between.

To each his own. I enjoy watching the fundamentals of a play as well as the actual scoring.