I have been watching the world cup this weekend, pulled in by the Trevor Noah watch party, and hooked. The pre-game chats are so lovely, so fun. We talk about the current game playing and encourage each other. We enjoy jokes at Joe's expense. Trevor actually interacts with us, which is so exciting. (Though during the actual games there are so many spammer and trolls, it's hard to see the funny comments - and there is some COMEDY GOLD in that chat). The game itself is great to watch, I'm finding myself screaming at the TV. I actually paid for a crave subscription so I could follow along live.
Normally, I don't care about this excruciatingly corrupt world event. But the pageantry and extant joy that permeates the group stage, when everyone is just trying to get to the next level, has such a sweet charm (tarnished, it's true, by "hydration breaks" I SEE YOU, FIFA AD BLOCKS). Today I watched Curaçao have an amazing historic moment, and the nail-biting finish between Japan and the Netherlands. The excitement, joy, laughs, and analysis (from Zoe) have made the watch party a vital aspect of my participation in the 2026 cup.
Interestingly, the interactive chat adds an uncomfortable element to the watch party. I've never done anything like it - I don't watch commentary-type shows, or have ever participated in interactive chats with celebrities before like AMAs etc. It's never been an interest of mine. But watching this party and then getting the chance to speak directly to the people in the room, be part of that conversation, feel like I'm sort of there...I see why people get sucked into those parasocial relationships and begin to think celebrities are their friends. I really enjoy the banter, the conversation, and the hot takes of Ryan Harduth, Eugene Khoza, Zoe Clark, and Joe Opio and whatever guest shows up. I want to be there, but honestly? Would add very little to the conversation, I'm sure. I know even less about football than Eugene, though probably enjoy it more (that man is an expert hater). I kept trying to get them to see my funny joke about Joe, comment on my hot takes about the game, or respond to my questions (they did none of those things, I was buried in the avalanche of comments from the 6500 people who were participating). My urgency peaked about 70 minutes in, frustrated by people who were drowning the chat with repeatedly posting their country's flag emojis. Didn't they realize I had actual comments to make? That I had a thing to say? That I was more interesting than their patriotic fervour?
Then I took a deep breath and realized, I am a guest here. Firstly, I have never participated in a group chat like this before, maybe this is normal. My inability to follow the threads could just be my inability to utilize the program properly. Secondly, I never participate in the world cup. Patriotic fervour, even to an outsider, is a pretty standard response to this event. Should I be annoyed by people waving their flags online, too?
I did catch, from one other commentator, that you can block/mute people (such a relief) and report inappropriate posts (useful tool). I figured out how to respond directly to people.
And then I remembered to just let it all go. This is for fun, and Trevor, though piped into my headphones once a week for 2 hours at a time, is not my friend. He doesn't care what my take is, isn't interested in my joke about Joe, and has no responsibility to answer my questions. He is a famous man who seems less problematic than the rest of them, and that's it.
I am pretty good at keeping a cool head about celebrities. I don't see them as anything more than people who either luck, money, or talent that has gotten them into a place of fame. I wouldn't want to be them. I wish many of them the best, and some of them the worst. When one of them, whom I thought was fine, ends up being a terror, I add that to the list and move on. None of them are my heroes, I'm not in love with any of them, and remind myself that they're humans who make mistakes.
The one time I've been smitten and made an utter idiot of myself was with Bertie Gregory, when he was a VERY young, up-and-coming cinematographer who just got his first big break as an adult with Nat Geo. I, a grown woman likely a dozen years older than him, was so weirdly shy (for the absolute first time in my LIFE) that he could barely hear me when we talked after the event. He, kindly, kept trying to move closer to actually hear my questions and answers. I finally put him out of his misery and ended the conversation, walked away, and realized I'd been an absolute horror. Imagine, making a young man move closer to you! Using social norms to get him to move into my personal space! Wretched. I still feel bad for about it. Though not my intention, I was still putting him in an awkward situation. Unfair.
These last two watch parties, though, have really pulled me into that parasocial sphere. I am sure I am not that susceptible to it, given how critical I am of most cultural phenomenons, but anyone can be convinced of something. Especially if they think it's harmless, like I see this watch party. I know that many celebrities rely on the fans for their income and cater to these fans especially, but it must be a very fine line to walk, being both close and also distant. I couldn't imagine allowing people to feel like they had some right to me, or my time; I can barely handle when the people in my life put expectations on me (thank you, mum and dad). It makes me want to run far, far away in the opposite direction.
My joke about Joe was really funny, though. But you needed to be there.