Spoilers (thoughts)

Dback Jon

Killer Snail
Moderator
Supporting Member
Joined
May 14, 2002
Posts
81,758
Reaction score
41,491
Location
Scottsdale
What is everyone's thoughts on when a spoiler should be used?


For me, it should be used in the following circumstances:

1) Discussing source material that has not been revealed in the TV Show (but is in the comic or books)

2) Plot leaks



The tough part is when to openly discuss something that has been aired already. My thought is once the episode has been aired, no need to spoil - if you haven't seen the episode yet, and you open the thread, that is your fault.



Thoughts?
 

Stout

Hold onto the ball, Murray!
Joined
Dec 30, 2002
Posts
39,708
Reaction score
23,802
Location
Pittsburgh, PA--Enemy territory!
What is everyone's thoughts on when a spoiler should be used?


For me, it should be used in the following circumstances:

1) Discussing source material that has not been revealed in the TV Show (but is in the comic or books)

2) Plot leaks



The tough part is when to openly discuss something that has been aired already. My thought is once the episode has been aired, no need to spoil - if you haven't seen the episode yet, and you open the thread, that is your fault.



Thoughts?

If I haven't seen an episode that has already aired, I won't open the thread. That's simple spoiler survival behavior lol That said, others will visit the threads, and I don't think it's on to give spoilers, especially big ones, immediately after an episode airs. There should be a moritorium, IMO. Maybe a day? Or, if others want to be more conservative, a week? That's my thought on the issue, anyway.
 

SO91

ASFN Lifer
Joined
Sep 13, 2006
Posts
3,046
Reaction score
371
I don't get why someone would open a thread about a show they haven't completed watching up until the latest episode, and not expect to get something spoiled. I stay away until I'm caught up, or if I'm way behind, read up until just before the date of the last episode I've seen.
 

crisper57

Open the Roof!
Joined
Jan 23, 2007
Posts
14,950
Reaction score
1,019
Location
Phoenix, AZ
No need to hide spoilers if a show aired in Primetime or sooner in the previous day. However, for a show like Game of Thrones, where the new airing shows at 9 pm, some people may need to DVR it and watch it the next day, so maybe a 1 day moratorium on anything airing after 9 pm (AZ time) is okay. (Clearly there are people who have not yet discovered that it airs much earlier on HBOGO).

Now for a Netflix show, like Daredevil, when a whole season has been dumped on the public at the same time, we do need some sort of standard etiquette. Clearly some people can't binge the whole season in a single day, but we shouldn't have to wait a month to get through it either. Maybe one day per episode?
 

Brian in Mesa

Advocatus Diaboli
Super Moderator
Moderator
Supporting Member
Joined
May 13, 2002
Posts
72,629
Reaction score
24,099
Location
Killjoy Central
We've always had an understanding on here that spoilers, especially huge spoilers, were discussed using spoiler tags. Most definitely right after a show airs or a movie is released.

Before spoiler tags, we used to include the word "Spoilers" in thread titles or review threads because we didn't want shows/movies ruined for others.
 

jf-08

chohan
Administrator
Super Moderator
Supporting Member
Joined
May 15, 2002
Posts
27,717
Reaction score
23,435
Location
Eye in the Sky
I don't get why someone would open a thread about a show they haven't completed watching up until the latest episode, and not expect to get something spoiled. I stay away until I'm caught up, or if I'm way behind, read up until just before the date of the last episode I've seen.

+1.

And if I am binge watching, I'll read a thread, figure out the date the episode aired in real time and possibly read up until a few days before the episode aired.

I will use spoilers though if something shocking happens.
 

jf-08

chohan
Administrator
Super Moderator
Supporting Member
Joined
May 15, 2002
Posts
27,717
Reaction score
23,435
Location
Eye in the Sky
We've always had an understanding on here that spoilers, especially huge spoilers, were discussed using spoiler tags. Most definitely right after a show airs or a movie is released.

Before spoiler tags, we used to include the word "Spoilers" in thread titles or review threads because we didn't want shows/movies ruined for others.

Good points.

You get a +1 as well.
 

Chaplin

Better off silent
Joined
May 13, 2002
Posts
46,396
Reaction score
16,898
Location
Round Rock, TX
Obviously, spoilers should be used before something airs/is in theaters.

But I also think there should be a moratorium on what you can safely post after a release. Say some arbitrary length of time, like a week or 3 days or something. Any posts that give something away that are posted in that timeframe would get spoiler tags. Beyond that deadline, then no need. But just my opinion. Not everyone sees tv shows on the day of air and movies the day they are released.
 

oaken1

Stone Cold
Supporting Member
Banned from P+R
Joined
Mar 13, 2004
Posts
18,112
Reaction score
16,141
Location
Modesto, California
What is everyone's thoughts on when a spoiler should be used?


For me, it should be used in the following circumstances:

1) Discussing source material that has not been revealed in the TV Show (but is in the comic or books)

2) Plot leaks



The tough part is when to openly discuss something that has been aired already. My thought is once the episode has been aired, no need to spoil - if you haven't seen the episode yet, and you open the thread, that is your fault.



Thoughts?



I agree with you whole heartedly Jon....which is why I was surprised when you edited my post in GoT to add spoilers.

The episode has aired, the information is out there...if someone does not want to see it because hulu or whatever does not play that episode for a month...well then stay off of the thread.
 
OP
OP
Dback Jon

Dback Jon

Killer Snail
Moderator
Supporting Member
Joined
May 14, 2002
Posts
81,758
Reaction score
41,491
Location
Scottsdale
I agree with you whole heartedly Jon....which is why I was surprised when you edited my post in GoT to add spoilers.

The episode has aired, the information is out there...if someone does not want to see it because hulu or whatever does not play that episode for a month...well then stay off of the thread.

I edited it so we could have this conversation

I was on my cell phone, so figured that was the easiest way to handle it at that moment until I could start this thread.
 

oaken1

Stone Cold
Supporting Member
Banned from P+R
Joined
Mar 13, 2004
Posts
18,112
Reaction score
16,141
Location
Modesto, California
I edited it so we could have this conversation

I was on my cell phone, so figured that was the easiest way to handle it at that moment until I could start this thread.

I love that show.... and often, when something big happens...I want to discuss it right away...
I am however, quite technologically challenged

hard to have a discussion when it takes thirty minutes every time you want to say something because you cant figure out how to hide it.
 

Chaplin

Better off silent
Joined
May 13, 2002
Posts
46,396
Reaction score
16,898
Location
Round Rock, TX
I agree with you whole heartedly Jon....which is why I was surprised when you edited my post in GoT to add spoilers.

The episode has aired, the information is out there...if someone does not want to see it because hulu or whatever does not play that episode for a month...well then stay off of the thread.

With DVR's (and streaming) being so prevalent in society, why are you so heavy-handed on this? What's the harm in waiting a few days post-air before eliminating spoiler tags? It doesn't change what you're writing. Only reason is that people are too lazy to use them. :D

And spoiler tags are one of the easiest tags to use.
 
OP
OP
Dback Jon

Dback Jon

Killer Snail
Moderator
Supporting Member
Joined
May 14, 2002
Posts
81,758
Reaction score
41,491
Location
Scottsdale
With DVR's (and streaming) being so prevalent in society, why are you so heavy-handed on this? What's the harm in waiting a few days post-air before eliminating spoiler tags? It doesn't change what you're writing. Only reason is that people are too lazy to use them. :D

And spoiler tags are one of the easiest tags to use.


How are they among the easiest to use?

I don't see a button for them - other than typing out
 

Cheesebeef

ASFN IDOL
Supporting Member
Joined
Jan 2, 2003
Posts
91,319
Reaction score
68,308
How are they among the easiest to use?

I don't see a button for them - other than typing out

yeah, I wish there was a button. typing it out always seems like a pain for me.
 

jf-08

chohan
Administrator
Super Moderator
Supporting Member
Joined
May 15, 2002
Posts
27,717
Reaction score
23,435
Location
Eye in the Sky
I'm amazed at some of you who are already long winded but don't want to type in the spoiler tag. :D.
Truth be told, I misspell SPOILER about 86% of the time and have to re-type it.
 
OP
OP
Dback Jon

Dback Jon

Killer Snail
Moderator
Supporting Member
Joined
May 14, 2002
Posts
81,758
Reaction score
41,491
Location
Scottsdale
I'm amazed at some of you who are already long winded but don't want to type in the spoiler tag. :D.
Truth be told, I misspell SPOILER about 86% of the time and have to re-type it.


Another board I frequent has [spoil][/spoil] as the code - always have to remember which is which (Do have a spoil button there now)
 

oaken1

Stone Cold
Supporting Member
Banned from P+R
Joined
Mar 13, 2004
Posts
18,112
Reaction score
16,141
Location
Modesto, California
With DVR's (and streaming) being so prevalent in society, why are you so heavy-handed on this? What's the harm in waiting a few days post-air before eliminating spoiler tags? It doesn't change what you're writing. Only reason is that people are too lazy to use them. :D

And spoiler tags are one of the easiest tags to use.



lol.... think back over the years.... how many times have you ever even seen me post a picture?? Youtube video??

I can copy and paste a link....and I am pretty good at it too!

Those who are waiting to watch on dvr have no reason to even open the thread... fairly common for discussion on last weeks episode to end at least one day prior to the new episode.... so from "day of" on,...it is easy to assume it is discussion on the new material....
 

Chaplin

Better off silent
Joined
May 13, 2002
Posts
46,396
Reaction score
16,898
Location
Round Rock, TX
lol.... think back over the years.... how many times have you ever even seen me post a picture?? Youtube video??

I can copy and paste a link....and I am pretty good at it too!

Those who are waiting to watch on dvr have no reason to even open the thread... fairly common for discussion on last weeks episode to end at least one day prior to the new episode.... so from "day of" on,...it is easy to assume it is discussion on the new material....

Except you can't control that, and you can control what you post. But you make a good point--I just don't think it's realistic. ;) Especially on movie threads--many here trust the opinions of other posters, and you'd like to see if they think a movie is worth going to in the hopes of not being spoiled.
 

puckhead

Massive Member
Moderator
Supporting Member
Joined
Jun 15, 2005
Posts
16,669
Reaction score
15,580
Location
Moment, AZ
What is everyone's thoughts on when a spoiler should be used?


For me, it should be used in the following circumstances:

1) Discussing source material that has not been revealed in the TV Show (but is in the comic or books)

2) Plot leaks



The tough part is when to openly discuss something that has been aired already. My thought is once the episode has been aired, no need to spoil - if you haven't seen the episode yet, and you open the thread, that is your fault.



Thoughts?

2) Absolutely

1) Yes. But, I fail to understand this burning desire to compare the plot lines of a book in the TV thread. The Book Thread exists and it kind of makes sense to discuss it there.

I won't open a thread until I'm completely caught up with the series as I expect discussion to begin after airing.

The Netflix series stuff is interesting because they release the entire season, but in my case, I would just wait until I was caught up.
 

oaken1

Stone Cold
Supporting Member
Banned from P+R
Joined
Mar 13, 2004
Posts
18,112
Reaction score
16,141
Location
Modesto, California
Except you can't control that, and you can control what you post. But you make a good point--I just don't think it's realistic. ;) Especially on movie threads--many here trust the opinions of other posters, and you'd like to see if they think a movie is worth going to in the hopes of not being spoiled.



I can concede a difference between movie threads and tv shows..... most..(most) folks catch a TV series the day it airs, or shortly after... movies on the other hand most folks(most) do not see on opening day.
But honestly, I read the spoilers in movie threads all the time and it does not spoil the movie for me... sometimes what I see in the spoiler helps me to determine whether the movie is "Theater", "DVD", or "PPV"...or,..."No Thanks"
we do have some great movie reviewers on here,...some I know are just homers like myself who love movies and are fairly easily entertained,....then you move up the scale until you get to Stout,...who hates almost everything... so I know if Stout has anything at all good to say about a movie I am going to love it. Cheesy is similar,...he looks at it from more of a technician standpoint which often makes him more critical of many movies...but in some cases makes him rate them better than they actually are...
 

oaken1

Stone Cold
Supporting Member
Banned from P+R
Joined
Mar 13, 2004
Posts
18,112
Reaction score
16,141
Location
Modesto, California
2) Absolutely

1) Yes. But, I fail to understand this burning desire to compare the plot lines of a book in the TV thread. The Book Thread exists and it kind of makes sense to discuss it there.

I won't open a thread until I'm completely caught up with the series as I expect discussion to begin after airing.

The Netflix series stuff is interesting because they release the entire season, but in my case, I would just wait until I was caught up.



I agree with the TV/Book comparisons....I was highly guilty of that early on with GoT..... but we are in luck now,...they are out of source material from the books...and apparently grrm has decided to at least wait until this season is past before he releases the next book....supposedly to allow the tv series to stand on its own...but an obvious marketing ploy none the less.
 

BigRedRage

Reckless
Supporting Member
Joined
Mar 25, 2005
Posts
48,274
Reaction score
12,525
Location
SE valley
I just avoid threads until I see the show really, the spoiler tags are a pain to type but I try to use them. If we could add a feature making them easy, we could just use them all the time, they don't run thread quality or anything.

It is nice to see movie reviews and etc without a spoiler though. Grace periods are nice but if we have an easy spoiler tag, they aren't needed
 

Covert Rain

Father smelt of elderberries!
Supporting Member
Joined
Jan 27, 2005
Posts
36,436
Reaction score
15,507
Location
Arizona
We've always had an understanding on here that spoilers, especially huge spoilers, were discussed using spoiler tags. Most definitely right after a show airs or a movie is released.

Before spoiler tags, we used to include the word "Spoilers" in thread titles or review threads because we didn't want shows/movies ruined for others.

Totally agree. I know sometimes people don't jump in a thread right away to discuss the previous weeks episode. Not to mention with people using streaming services now and dumping cable/Sat....more and more people don't see shows the same night it airs. People need to realize that some of the streaming services don't get the new shows (i.e. Hulu) until the day after it airs. Heck...even when I had DirectTV, my shows sat on my DVR until the next day. To me I think few days after something airs on TV is fair so you don't ruin it for someone.

For movies maybe a couple weeks since many people can't see movies except on the weekends and avoid opening weekend like the plague.

P.S....sign me up for making spoiler tags easier on this board. Isn't the board getting in overhaul? When and will that be a feature?
 
Last edited:

SO91

ASFN Lifer
Joined
Sep 13, 2006
Posts
3,046
Reaction score
371
Totally agree. I know sometimes people don't jump in a thread right away to discuss the previous weeks episode. Not to mention with people using streaming services now and dumping cable/Sat....more and more people don't see shows the same night it airs. People need to realize that some of the streaming services don't get the new shows (i.e. Hulu) until the day after it airs. Heck...even when I had DirectTV, my shows sat on my DVR until the next day. To me I think few days after something airs on TV is fair so you don't ruin it for someone.

For movies maybe a couple weeks since many people can't see movies except on the weekends and avoid opening weekend like the plague.

P.S....sign me up for making spoiler tags easier on this board. Isn't the board getting in overhaul? When and will that be a feature?

I'm trying to understand this. Why would someone come to a discussion thread of a show where there's a very real possibility that the discussion will focus around the latest episode(s), which this person hasn't seen yet for a variety of reasons? I won't be watching this Sunday's episode that day, and it will likely be 2 or 3 days later. I will not open this thread, or any other site that might spoil it for me until I can watch it when it's convenient for me. I don't think adding spoiler tags is such a huge burden on the person commenting. I'm honestly trying to understand the thinking behind what I asked.
 

Latest posts

Members online

Forum statistics

Threads
552,927
Posts
5,404,090
Members
6,315
Latest member
SewingChick65
Top