Spoiler Etiquette?

[Karkull]

At what point does a spoiler stop being a spoiler? I mean, I could understand if we were talking about upcoming episodes and mention key plot points, but shouldn't it be fair game once the episode airs?

[The Flash]

No not really, what if for some reason somebody missed that episode? Then logs onto the boards, and reads a post (or Headline, which way too many ppl do!) with spoilers in it that had no warning what so ever about them. Would that be right or fair to that person?

[James Harvey]

That's a great point, The Flash. I won't be seeing any of the post-Secret Origins episodes until after the 2nd part of ENEMY BELOW airs, so I make sure to avoid any posts that may contain spoilers. Then again, I don't really mind reading spoilers, so it is not a real big deal for me. I think people who haven't seen the episodes should also be responsible in choosing posts. If a post says "Talk about 'New Episode' Here" then the person should avoid it. This is sort of a grey area, really. It's a little bit from both ends.

As for posters etiquette, I saw once the next new episode airs (unless that was the finale episode), then it's everyman (and woman) for themselves! But it really depends person to person...

[Calhoun07]

You know, I am in the same boat as these people who can't see JL when it first airs Monday nights. I don't have HBO, so I don't get to see the Sopranos, so therefore, I purposely make it a desicion to avoid magazine articles and posts on message boards and what not about the new episodes of the Sopranos because I want to be completely surprised when I watch them on DVD. Heck, I won't even read the text descriptions about the episodes on the DVDs before I watch them because I know they too can put in spoilers! I wouldn't expect any fan of the Sopranos restrain from talking about the show just because they have HBO and there are people without. The people without need to learn to control what they read.

Don't take it for granted that a thread about an episode of JL or any other show for that matter will automatically be spoiler free. The fans who log on to this board who reply to those threads that pop up the night an episode airs want to talk about the juicy tidbits and the endings and all the stuff people who haven't seen it don't want to know yet, so just stay away from it. We are not going to be posting spoiler free reviews, I am sorry.

Perhaps it would be wise for anybody who starts a thread to put a "possible spoilers" thing next to the title of the thread, but I guess I have always been of the mindset that if I see a thread about a show I don't want to know about, to just steer clear. Even in a spoiler free thread or post, I might wind up reading something that I didn't want to know that another poster might not have considered a spoiler.

[The Flash]

There were 2 new topics today that had MAJOR I mean MAJOR spoilers in them! I know they arn't trying to do this on purpose, but folks think about other people before you do that. It's just, well......rude.

[The Guard]

Frankly, you shouldn't be here if you don't want spoilers...especially in a post you know will have them, like say...

"The Enemy Below"

or

"Last night's episode"

I can understand putting a spoiler in a thread name upsetting you...but...why do you come here then? And please don't say "To talk about JL."

[The Flash]

Guard, it might not upset you (it doesn't upset me either) but posts like "the enemy below" CAN be avoided, but topic lines that say somethign like ""Enemy Below, Pt. 1": Voice of "Hired Gun"/********???" (I bleeped the spoiler out) can not be avoided. ......anyway......

[Maxie Zeus]

First, spoilers should NOT be put in the thread title, and I think we should (and will) go back and make changes to those that do.

Second, no one around here (alas!) knows how to use the "spoiler" command, which is:

[/spoiler]This is a spoiler![/spoiler]

except that the first occurrence should NOT have the "/" in it. A long time ago I gave up going back and fixing posts that needed the box and didn't have it. Sigh.

Third, it's been a long time since we've had new episodes of any of our shows, and frankly we're all a little out of practice with spoilers. Probably we should mount a campaign to re-acquaint people with spoiler etiquette.

Fourth, there will always be grey areas. Try not to take it too badly when someone screws up.

Hmm. My post isn't terribly helpful, but you've definitely raised my consciousness about the problem.

[metaphysician]

You Looked!! No Peeking!! ;)

[Maxie Zeus]

Originally posted by metaphysician
You Looked!! No Peeking!! ;)

Yeah, that's how it works.

BTW, you can test out these and other features over on the "Is This Thing On?" board.

[AmazonPrincess]

Spoilers are a pet peeve of mine - just be considerate to others who may be waiting for a friend to send a tape or waiting for the sunday widesceen broadcast - spoiler tags are very easy to use.

But if a thread has a title like "12/3 episode of JL" or something like that, of course there will be spoilers for those who haven't seen it yet - think before clicking on it because if you read a spoiler there it's no one's fault but your own.

My big problem comes with putting anything resembling a spoiler as the title to a thread - that's just the rudest most inconsiderate thing I can think of and the posters of such threads should get an email from a moderator explaining how to make a title spoiler-free. The moderator should also change the title of the thread as soon as they spot it so that there is no longer a spoiler in it. Common courtesy and thinking of others isn't hard and should be a requirement.

[The Flash]

I agree 110%!! (That's not a typo!!) :)

[The Guard]

I guess I'm just upset because someone went into the thread "The Enemy Below" and got upset because there were spoilers. Their excuse?

"I thought there might be a review."

Ah yes. Reviews without any spoilers...plenty of 'em...

[Veil1]

Y'know The Guard, there is no reason to be rude. I wasn't that upset, or rude in that post. I was just stating an opinion and I even reposted to say sorry for ruffling any feathers. Posting patronizing messages directed at other members is out of hand. The subject has passed, I stand corrected, and apologize to the other board members. Sheesh.

[Maxie Zeus]

Look, the whole idea of spoilers is extend common courtesy to other readers/posters in these forums. That's of a piece with being polite and courteous in general. So everyone just chill out.

[The Guard]

It upset me . But that's because at that time I discovered that Smallville was a rerun. Anyway...I am also sorry, and we probably shouldn't worry about it anymore. Not with great moderators like Dick and Maxie to fix our mistakes.

"The law's come back to town"

I have no idea why I put that...

Anyway...I'm cool if you are. Got more important stuff to worry, about.

mmm...bagels...

[Maxie Zeus]

Originally posted by The Guard
It upset me . But that's because at that time I discovered that Smallville was a rerun.

Ah. How well I know the feeling. :)

[The Guard]

Well I mean, I went to check TV Guide with visions of acquired heat vision dancing in my head and lo and behold...

Kryptonite Sauna is on again!!!

Can we at least call them something besides spoilers?

Like...umm...Zorkles? Or Snorts?

I mean...I see the word Spoiler, and being a Robin fan, I start drooling, and then my keyboard shorts out and then I have to-

mmm...bagels.