Jerry Nicotera

 

It’s late at night, you have finished your busy day and are simply looking for a way to decompress from the day’s activities. So you sit on the couch and open up your Netflix account to find some pretty interesting selections in the trending tab online. Sure, there are a couple Marvel movies and some classic Quinten Tarrentino films. However, a majority of these selections, for some time now, have been slow paced, soothing, almost a sort of “sleep-time television.” From “Planet Earth” to “Chill with Bob Ross,” Netflix seems to be cashing in on this unique form of television. We’re all tied down to insane schedules that drain us as individuals on a daily basis. However, when our day is done we generally try to disconnect ourselves from the stresses of school/work and aim for about six to eight hours of sleep, if we can. In a world where a regular day is both long and fast paced, these particular programs allow us to calm down, unwind, and relax.

Soothing shows are on the rise and will likely continue to be as there are several aspects that contribute to their success in aiding viewers drift off into a good night’s sleep. Some of these factors include the show having little to no story plot keeping the viewer awake and focused. These shows do not include jump scares, fast editing, loud music, and/or any possible sinister undertones. These shows are commonly narrated by a voice actor speaking in a tone that mirrors a parent telling his/her child a bedtime story.

This genre is not new to the world of television. In fact this concept has already become a phenomenal sensation throughout Norway and other parts of Scandinavia. In a world of entertainment that seems to only promote constant action, explosions, violence, sex, and drugs. A network has been created in Norway called “Slow TV”. This network has been seen to incorporate unedited clips of real time events. One particular example I had found was a seven hour train ride through the beautiful Norwegian countryside. Other examples include a several hour long boat ride and captured moments from under the sea. These shows aren’t strictly limited to “Slow TV” on Norwegian cable, but can also be found throughout multiple channels and streaming services. Through one of the bigger providers of this type of this television, Netflix, one can find a multitude of shows under this category of Slow TV. Netflix is actually one of the best ways to explore this genre of television as the streaming service provides shows and programs both locally and internationally including all possible shows that fit the criteria of slow television. Through exploring the site I myself had found several great shows to fall asleep to, from a narration on the beauty of the American wilderness to a baking show in England with a woman that resembled my grandmother.

Overall, we as individuals live extraordinarily busy lives. When it’s time to rest and recharge ourselves, it can prove difficult to do when we turn on our televisions to fast-paced explosions and shootouts. I for one know that I’d definitely prefer a calming film of beautiful scenes in nature over loud comedies or cartoons while I’m drifting asleep. Through ideas like “Slow-TV” and Netflix promoting shows like Bob Ross and “Planet Earth,” we as viewers are more likely to relax and sleep deeper, preparing us that much more for our next busy day of tasks.