Fan2: Nothing much. I've just been preoccupied with this series that's Crazy Awesome and Addictive: Anti-Climax Man.
Fan1: Oh yeah, I think I've heard of it.
Fan2: You gonna give it a try?
Fan1: I dunno. It seems to have limited appeal beyond its high-concept premise.
Fan2: Dude, you know me. I don't get heavily invested in anything without good reason.
Fan1: Well, I could, but isn't it only available on some heavily reserved ultra-expensive elitist subscribed channel?
Fan2: It's been leased out to this other channel that you have.
Fan1: Well, it's a later episode, so -
Fan2: Not a problem. Each is self-contained, while also building on a larger narrative.
Fan1: I'd still like -
Fan2: There's also several online sites showing it for free.
Fan1: I feel a little uneasy about -
Fan2: I also have the DVD sets.
Fan1: Man, it was SO easy for me to ignore when it wasn't easily available.
Fan2: WATCH IT.
Fan1: Okay, okay. Don't twist my arm. I'll take a look, but I'm not promising anything.
(Two days later)
Fan2: So, what do you think so far?
Fan1: Well, it's okay I guess. The guy gets caught up in outlandish scenarios that are resolved in the most banal ways possible.
Fan2: I know!! Isn't it great?!
Fan1: I thought he'd just win all the time, but I was surprised that he allowed himself to lose on purpose.
Fan2: You have to admit it was an effective way to deescalate the situation.
Fan1: As I said before, its extremely childish. The supporting cast seem to be more fully developed compared to the protagonist who's pretty much a blank slate for the audience to latch onto.
Fan2: How much of it did you see?
Fan1: ...thirty episodes.
Fan2: HAH! I knew once you'd get started, you'd find it hard to stop!
Fan1: Well, they're very breezy. I wasn't too into it at first, but after awhile, it started to grow on me. Frankly, I was surprised at how quickly I blazed through them. I'll give it another thirty episodes, but if things haven't improved any, I'll quit.
(A week later)
Fan1: The later seasons are completely INSANE. There's so much Tension involved. And Anti-Climax Man is always so blasé about it! I'm always screaming at him to look at the Apocalyptic Disaster he's completely unaware of, just so he can resolve it in that pithy underhanded manner he always does!
Fan2: NOW do you see why I like it so much?
Fan1: I'll say! I never thought I would become so invested in this so much!
Fan2: I'm particularly impressed with the emotional heft the characters have. For being rather broad caricatures, there's a surprising depth to their relationships. Who they were at the beginning of the show are completely different to how they are later on.
Fan1: For me, it's all about the constantly building pressure in every episode. How long can they prolong the situation before Anti-Climax Man resolves it?! And he's always in the wrong place!! LOOK TO YOUR LEFT!!
(A month later)
Fan1: It's absolute torture waiting for new episodes to come up. I've been compulsively rewatching the early episodes picking up subtle clues that've been sprinkled throughout.
Fan2: Even the lousy episodes?
Fan1: Well, maybe not those, but definitely the high quality ones. I've made amusing crossover Fanfics because I've been dreaming about it in my sleep!
Fan2: Yes. Revel in the pain.
Fan1: This was your plan all along wasn't it? To draw me into this Fandom just so you'd have someone to compare ulcers with?
Fan2: Consider yourself lucky - I got into it when there were fewer episodes than there are now.
Fan1: I didn't even know it existed, but now I can't imagine not having this show in my life.
Fan2: Well, don't get too complacent. There's been rumours that this might be the last season.
Fan1: Are you kidding me?! There's still so much untapped potential!! Not to mention so many unresolved plotlines!!! Are we ever going to find out what that mysterious item in the warehouse was supposed to be?! How can they possibly wrap everything up in just a few episodes?!
Fan2: As I said before, it's still hearsay. The sponsors have been complaining that the side characters have been taking over the show. Anti-Climax Man hardly ever shows up anymore.
Fan1: But that's the whole appeal!! It's seeing these lesser competent guys deal with the increasingly heightening drama the only way they can that further ramps up the suspense!! Anti-Climax Man's presence would resolve things way too soon!
Fan2: Well, sponsors don't always understand what their viewers are so passionate about. And the viewer numbers have been dropping.
Fan1: Because it's constantly in reruns!! And... (checks rating numbers) each episode STILL gets at least two million views!!
Fan2: If it's any consolation, we had a good run. And we can still spread word about the show through word of mouth.
Fan1: I tried to get my friends to get interested in Anti-Climax Man.
Fan2: And?
Fan1: They just laughed in my face for trying to convince them to watch a silly children's show when they've got more serious Adult entertainment suited for them. The fools. I tried to make it as easy as possible for them to jump in, but they resist any attempt to even give it a sidelong glance!
Fan2: Sounds like a certain somebody I know. Weren't you just complaining that Anti-Climax Man was in danger of becoming formulaic and predictable?
Fan1: I wanted excitement, but Not Like This! I've been checking the news feeds every day, checking every #Anticlimaxman tag on an hourly basis. The suspense is terrible. I hope it doesn't last.
(Ding)
Fan2: Sounds like another hit just registered.
Fan1: Probably just another article about making your very own Anti-Climax character. As if I didn't have enough - (Gasps) It's news about the creator of Anti-Climax Man.
Fan2: Looks like something happened to the guy.
Fan1: I can't look. What does it say??
Fan2: It says...
TO BE CONTINUED.... (maybe)
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