Laura Multitasks!

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Dear Netflix,

I was so happy this week, when I went hunting for something new to watch instantly. You see, I'd just watched through Numb3rs from start to finish, mostly because I find Charlie's nose to be very attractive, but also because I like to listen to lectures, even if they are about math, because they make me feel like I'm getting smarter. I was happy because you had made Sports Night available to watch instantly, finally. I have been waiting to watch Sports Night for a very long time. You know how long, because it was after I finished watching Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip using your watch instantly feature, because that was when I discovered that Aaron Sorkin had created another show before he made The West Wing.

I really love Aaron Sorkin. He's an amazing writer, the kind of writer I would love to be at some point in my future. He is on my list of Fantastic Writers Who Can Do No Wrong. You don't get on that list unless you're Very Special. Patricia McKillip, John Green, Melina Marchetta, and Victoria Schwab are the only other living writers on that list. You'll have to trust me about Victoria Schwab, because her first novel, The Near Witch, isn't released yet. You will discover how amazing she is when you read her book, and you should go preorder it. Right now. Go do it.

As I was saying, Aaron Sorkin is really great, and Sports Night was a huge treat for me. I was totally hooked, and I'd just started season two when, much to my surprise, it went away. I searched for it, only to discover that I couldn't watch it instantly anymore. You took it away from me.

In short, Netflix, you ruined my life.

"Sure," you say, "We totally ruined your life, Laura. Yeah, we stole your Unfrosted Strawberry Pop Tarts, broke your car, and infested your wool with moths."

And now you're laughing at me. I swear I can hear you laughing.

Netflix, I live in the middle of a corn field. Gas is $3.88 a gallon, and my car needs new rotors, or maybe just a new wheel bearing. It takes me an hour to get to the nearest major city, and this is Indiana, so how major can that city be? When I get there, I can choose between eating and shopping, both of which require money I spent buying the gas it took to get there. I could turn on my television, but I can't really watch anything, because we don't have cable or a dish or anything, and we live in a cornfield, so there really isn't any signal since TV went digital. And it's summer, so there are no new episodes of anything, anyway.

What I'm saying, Netflix, is that any entertainment in my life comes from YOU.

I was so happy to have Sports Night. I was already rewatching my favorite episodes again and again. I was quoting Sports Night. I was trying to have walk and talks at work, except no one knew what a walk and talk was, because no one there is as obsessed with Aaron Sorkin as I am, so it didn't so much work, but I TRIED. And I was happy, Netflix. I was really happy.

But you did me wrong. You took my Sports Night away from me.

I tried to be patient, Netflix, but it's been a WHOLE DAY, and Sports Night hasn't come back yet. This tells me that maybe, just maybe, this isn't site maintenance. Maybe Sports Night isn't coming back. I want you to know that taking Sports Night away from me is pretty much the same as killing me. There is a giant spear sticking out of my chest right now, Netflix, and you put it there. It was all you.

I was mad at first, but now I am just sad. So very sad. It's like a country song over here, a country song without the twang-y-ness and the cowboy hat. You hurt my heart, Netflix.

I wanted you to know all that, so that you will understand how important it is that you give me an honest answer to my question: When is Sports Night coming back?

I really do need an answer, so I know if I should just order the two seasons on DVD right now. They're sort of expensive, so it would mean not eating for a while, but it would be worth it to have Aaron Sorkin's writing. That's better than food.

Sincerely,

Laura

12 comments:

  1. I found your blog because of a panicked google search entitled "sports night taken down from netflix." There might have been an exclamation point in there. But it appears that it isn't taken down - there's just some kind of technical issue or something. Instantwatcher says it's supposed to be up til at least next year.

    If it doesn't come back, eat. I will acquire it, and will make it available to you. Because I've totally been the broke college student. The internet practically exists for that. And because fans of Sorkin must stick together, through cancellations and technical snafus.

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  2. Yeah, me, too. I'm a sixty year old (very cool, haha) grandma who is totally hooked on Sports Night. Last night I curled up in my comfy chair with my iPad and -- what?? -- no Sports Night?? My panic brought me here and I hope it's true that the rumors of its demise have been greatly exaggerated. It's my nightly feel-good pill.

    Alas, even if it returns I only have a few episodes left. I've already devoured 30 Rock. Any other suggestions?

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  3. It's coming back? Really? I am going to cling to this little shred of hope you have given me, aegies.

    And, NinaV, have you seen Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip? Or Arrested Development? Modern Family? Those are all great things to watch.

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  4. Love your post and it sums up my frustration these past couple of days with Netflix. I thought it was a site maintenance issue, too! Just started season one a week ago, and was trying to savor the remaining seasons by limiting myself to one a day. WHAT A MISTAKE! I hope it comes back, but when I searched for it, is now showns as a DVD only option. Where can we all file a compliant??

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  5. thank you for expressing my grief in a way that I may never have been able to do...I only have 15 episodes left! I must watch them!

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  6. I hunted through their customer service page, looking for an option that did not involve me calling on the phone and having a heart to heart with a computer. I couldn't find one.

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  7. I watched Studio 60 on regular TV and again on Netflix. Loved it! I think the Christmas episode was one of the best ever on TV, and kept it on the dvr for a couple of years. I started Arrested Development but couldn't get into it. I'll try that again.

    I see you're in Indiana. I have degrees from IU and Purdue. IU has my heart; Bloomington in the early '70s was everything one would think it would be.

    I got an episode of Sports Night to come up last night by following a link I found on (I think) Instantwatcher but it was one I'd already seen and I had no way to select which episode I wanted. When I tried again, it came up as Unavailable. But the fact that I got anything at all leaves me hopeful.

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  8. I borrowed all the DVDs from a friend and watched them that way. I wish you lived close by! She'd totally lend them to you.

    I will keep my fingers crossed that Netflix will get it together and fulfill your dying wish. Aaron Sorkin is a GENIUS and of course it would kill you not to see the rest of the series asap!

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  9. You're right. It WILL kill me. Netflix is definitely trying to murder me.

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  10. NinaV, if you loved Studio 60 AND Sports Night, I'm betting you'll also love The West Wing, if you haven't already devoured it!

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  11. IT IS!!! I just discovered it!

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