Community Guidelines

Community Mission
To create a dynamic and welcoming online community where television enthusiasts of all backgrounds come together to share, explore, and celebrate the world of TV. Our mission is to foster a vibrant, informed, and inclusive space that encourages deep engagement, lively discussions, and a strong sense of belonging among members. Through offering a diverse range of engaging content, interactive discussions, and unique community events, we aim to be the premier destination for anyone looking to connect over their love of television.

Community Vision
Our vision is to build the most passionate, knowledgeable, and inclusive community of television fans on the internet. A space where every member feels valued and empowered to contribute, with the community acting as a catalyst for discovering new shows, deepening appreciation for television artistry, and forming meaningful connections across the globe. As we grow, we aim to continuously innovate and adapt, ensuring that our community not only stays abreast of the evolving TV landscape but also shapes the conversation around it. In doing so, we will not just follow the trends of the post-Peak TV era but become a leading voice within it, inspiring members to engage, stay, and grow with us for years to come.

Community Guidelines 

Respect and Inclusivity

• No Discrimination: Discrimination or bigotry of any kind is strictly prohibited. We welcome and celebrate individuals from all walks of life.
• Courteous Communication: Engage with others respectfully and kindly. Personal attacks, harassment, and bullying are not permitted.

Content and Conduct:

• Content Standards: All content must adhere to applicable laws, avoiding hate speech, violence, or harmful materials. Spam and off-topic content are not allowed.
• Constructive Engagement: Disagreements are natural; address them with the intent to understand and grow together.
• External Links: Please refrain from linking to external websites unless it directly relates to a television show discussion. Links to competitors or sites like Reddit are not permitted to ensure discussions remain focused and relevant to our community's interests.

Communication and Privacy:

• Clear and Inclusive Language: Use language that is respectful, understandable, and considerate of our community's diversity including pronouns. Please reference the GLAAD Media Reference Guide or ask the Community Manager if you have any questions. Happy to help!
• Privacy Respect: Do not share personal or confidential information. That extends to names as well as usernames, screenshots and quotes of social media posts by anyone who is not part of the cast and crew or otherwise directly affiliated with any show.

Community Vigilance:

• Report Concerns: Assist in maintaining a safe space by reporting content that violates these guidelines.
• Continuous Improvement: Feedback on guidelines and moderation processes is welcomed to meet the community's evolving needs. Please fill out this survey if you would like to leave feedback.

Representation and Continuous Learning: 

• Be Supportive: Be kind and offer support. Our community thrives on mutual learning, growth, and success.
• Stay Curious: Utilize the search function before posting and share knowledge generously.

You may see us asking culture check questions in certain threads or forums. It’s our hope that these gentle nudges from moderators and the community team will encourage reflection and mindfulness among members.

For instance, moderators might ask, "How is this thread/conversation making our community a kinder and more inclusive space?" or “Is there room for more empathy and understanding in the way we're communicating our points?” Expect to find these questions at the top of threads and also in response to certain posts.

If you have any concerns, questions, or feedback, please feel free to reach out. You can post in Technically Speaking: Bugs, Questions, & Suggestions, or submit culture check questions or suggestions via this Google Form. 

Hate Speech

• Our community thrives on diversity and mutual respect. We strictly prohibit any behaviors or expressions that undermine these values, including racism, homophobia, transphobia, and other forms of prejudice. Respectful conversations on these subjects are welcome, but we will not tolerate any form of hate speech or intolerance.

Discussion of Minors

• Real Minors: Conversations about the sexual orientation, sexual issues, or any form of sexualization of underage individuals in reality shows are strictly prohibited, unless these topics are directly and explicitly addressed within the show's content. This policy extends to discussions about violence or any commentary on the physical bodies of minors, emphasizing our commitment to safeguarding their privacy and well-being.
• Fictional Minors: Conversations about fictional minors should be mindful, avoiding sexualization, violence, or focusing on their physical aspects, and should only reflect on the narrative or writer's intent.

Outing

• Revealing personal information about real humans is strictly prohibited.
• Discussing fictional characters is allowed within the context of the show.

Self-Policing and Education

• We encourage civil and respectful exchanges among members to educate each other when socially insensitive language is used.
• We promote healthy behavior rather than hiding harmful behavior, with the aim of educating those who may post out of ignorance rather than malice. Help keep our discussions clear and organized! If you spot a post that could be improved or belongs in a different section, kindly inform the poster first, and then if the correction isn’t made, please report the post.

Please see our DEI Resources section for more information. 

As the Primetimer forums focus on enriching discussions around entertainment TV, movies, and broader pop culture, we are committed to providing a space where all members can engage in lively and respectful dialogue. Recognizing the heightened political atmosphere in the leadup to  elections, we understand that political references might become more prevalent, particularly in discussions about late-night TV shows, which often touch upon current events and political humor.

To maintain our community's focus and ensure discussions remain enjoyable and respectful for everyone, we are outlining our approach to political content during this period:

• Limited Political Discussion: Acknowledging that late-night TV shows may feature political content, it's encouraged to keep discussions focused on the entertainment aspect. Political references should originate from and be related to the content of the episode being discussed and should not diverge into broader political debates or debates of personal opinions on political matters. This approach ensures conversations remain centered on the shared interest in entertainment.
• No Political Advocacy: Discussions should not serve as a platform for advocating for or against specific political figures, parties, or ideologies, even in the context of discussing TV content. An example of this would be posting, “Everyone should support Candidate X in the upcoming election because their policies on xyz.” Our goal is to explore the entertainment value and impact of the shows, not to influence political views or outcomes.
• Respect: We emphasize the importance of respect in all discussions. This includes refraining from name-calling, derogatory nicknames, or jokes about political figures and issues. Our community thrives on mutual respect, and this extends to how politically charged content from entertainment sources is discussed. 
• Community Guidance and Support: Our mods and community team is here to foster a supportive and engaging environment and are committed to guiding conversations to ensure they align with our shared values of respect and inclusivity. If discussions veer towards divisive political debate, gentle steering back will encourage a focus on the entertainment aspects everyone enjoys. Each interaction is seen as an opportunity to strengthen the community's foundation, celebrating diverse perspectives while ensuring the space remains welcoming and values every voice.

When in doubt, don’t spoil. If you must, use a spoiler thread or tag

• Once an episode has aired in the US, it may be discussed without spoiler-tags (that applies to shows that are shown on a US streaming service a day or two before the US TV broadcast as well). If you wish to remain unspoiled, please avoid the respective topic until you are able to watch. 
• No Cross-Show Spoilers: Avoid spoiling content related to specific shows, such as "True Detective," in forums dedicated to other series, like "Black Cake" or general discussion areas such as "Genre Talk."
• Current Season Courtesy: Do not reveal spoilers for upcoming episodes; if it wasn't in the current or a previous episode/season that the topic is for, it's a spoiler and needs to be spoiler-tagged (or moved to the respective topic). 
  • Current Season Courtesy applies to shows that aired outside the US first, shows of which all episodes are released at once, off-air shows and show-related movies. 
  • Previews, and preview-based speculation should be treated as potential spoilers. If you like to share a preview, please spoiler-tag it or create an episode topic for the following week’s episode.
  • Forums may have separate threads for spoilers only and for spoiler discussions/speculation or combine both into a single thread.
• Media Topics: Be aware that media topics contain spoilers. Even non-spoilery articles can include information that may reveal something that is about to happen on the show.
• Character and Non-Episode Threads: These discussions may span across various seasons; therefore, no specific thread spoiler tags are required.
• Historical Context: Be mindful that revealing historical facts can be spoilery, especially when a new drama based on true events is being aired. In episode threads, it's best to be safe rather than sorry and spoiler tag historical facts. For speculation, comparison and so on, discussions should be taken to a separate thread. If there is none, feel free to set one up or contact a moderator to request one be set up.
• Source Material: Discussions on original source materials, such as comic books, novels or video games, should be considered spoilers, even if the adaptation diverges significantly or the source is notably old. Like with historical facts, all conversations revolving around source material should be either spoiler tagged or taken to a separate topic.
• Typical Spoiler Sources: Keep spoilers derived from casting sides, photos from on-set observers, or leaked content within designated spoiler threads or marked with spoiler tags.
• Timezones: Circumstances may arise when the last airing in the US or the US mainland might have to be taken into consideration. (Please note that the west coast is 3 hours behind the east coast).
• Non-Spoilers:
  • Descriptions from the "Info" button, TV Guide, and other general public sources, including magazines, are not considered spoilers when posted in the relevant topic.
  • Speculation based solely on aired episodes or general public information is allowed.

 A Guide to Using Radical Candor in Online Community Forums

Radical Candor, a concept introduced by Kim Scott, is about caring personally while challenging directly. It's a powerful approach to feedback that fosters both personal growth and stronger relationships. In online community forums, where communication lacks the nuance of face-to-face interactions, applying Radical Candor can help maintain a constructive, supportive environment. Here's how to implement this approach as a community member:

 1. Cultivate a Culture of Personal Care

- Share More About Yourself: Open up about your interests, experiences, and challenges related to the forum's topic. Personal stories foster a sense of community and care. [It’s okay to share personal stories, but be aware of giving out personal details that could make you vulnerable to being targeted].

- Acknowledge Others: Recognize the contributions and achievements of fellow members. A simple acknowledgment can go a long way in showing that you care personally.

 2. Embrace Direct Challenges

- Be Specific in Feedback: When providing feedback, be clear and specific about what you are addressing. Avoid vague statements that can lead to misunderstandings.

- Focus on Improvement: Frame your challenges as opportunities for growth. Ensure your feedback is aimed at actions or behaviors, not at the person.

 3. Encourage Open Dialogue

- Nurture an Inclusive Environment: Encourage an atmosphere where members feel safe to share their thoughts and receive feedback. Remind the community that respectful dialogue is a cornerstone of growth.

- Moderate Constructively: Even if you aren’t a moderator, notice how much other community members assist with moderation with reflective listening and kindness. If you choose to engage, please do so with the intention of fostering understanding. Redirect conversations that veer off into personal attacks back to constructive criticism by using questions that begin with “How” and “What”.

 4. Practice Active Listening

- Read Thoroughly Before Responding: In online forums, it's easy to misinterpret messages. Ensure you've fully understood a post before replying, especially when giving feedback.

- Ask Clarifying Questions: If something isn't clear, ask questions before jumping to conclusions. This demonstrates care and helps avoid unnecessary conflicts.

5. Lead by Example

- Model Radical Candor: Apply Radical Candor in your posts and responses. Your actions can set a precedent for how community members interact with each other.

- Share Your Experiences: Talk about times when Radical Candor helped you grow, either within the forum or in other aspects of your life. This can inspire others to embrace the approach.

6. Navigate Disagreements with Empathy

- Acknowledge Emotions: Recognize and validate the feelings behind a post, especially in heated discussions. This shows you care about the person, not just winning an argument.

- Seek Common Ground: When disagreements arise, look for underlying agreements or shared goals. This can help de-escalate conflicts and find a path forward.

7. Commit to Continuous Learning

- Reflect on Interactions: After a discussion, especially a challenging one, take time to reflect on what went well and what could be improved.

- Seek Feedback on Your Approach: Be open to receiving feedback on how you apply Radical Candor. This meta-feedback can help you refine your approach.

By integrating Radical Candor into your online interactions, you contribute to a forum that's not just informative but also enriching and supportive. Remember, the goal is to build a community where everyone feels valued and empowered to grow.

Welcome to Primetimer’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Resources. As part of our commitment to fostering a respectful, diverse, and inclusive community, we provide the following resources to guide our conversations and interactions. These tools are designed to help us collectively transform our Forum from Red Lights to vibrant Green Lights communities that uphold our shared values.

Understanding DEI

DEI Fundamentals: An introduction to diversity, equity, and inclusion principles, exploring the importance of each in creating healthy, supportive communities.

Cultural Competence: Learn how to practice understanding and appreciating cultural differences, promoting empathy, and preventing cultural misunderstandings.

Effective Communication

Inclusive Language Guide: Recommendations on language that respects all identities, avoiding phrases that may inadvertently harm or exclude.

Conflict Resolution Strategies: Techniques for addressing disagreements constructively, focusing on empathy, active listening, and finding common ground.

Engaging with Respect and Empathy

Empathy Building Exercises: Activities designed to enhance our ability to understand and share the feelings of others, fostering deeper connections within our community.

Respectful Debate Guidelines: Best practices for engaging in debates that honor diverse opinions, ensuring discussions are productive and respectful.

Your Role in Promoting DEI

Community Guidelines for Inclusion: Recognizing the importance of diversity and inclusion in all interactions.

Reporting Tools: How to report behavior that violates our community values, ensuring issues are addressed promptly and effectively.

Transformative Tags Initiative

Moving Forward

This resource page is a living document, evolving as we learn and grow together. We encourage every member to utilize these tools, contribute to the conversation, and take an active role in shaping a community that reflects the best of our shared values. Together, we can turn this Red Light Green, creating a space where everyone feels welcome, valued, and included.

Let’s embark on this journey towards positive change, guided by respect, understanding, and a commitment to inclusivity.

If you have any suggestions on how to improve it or anything else, please fill out this form.

Two terms we often encounter in our forums: "tropes" and "stereotypes." Understanding these can make our discussions more meaningful and respectful. Let's break them down and see how we can navigate them together.

Tropes in TV
Tropes are like the building blocks of storytelling—those recurring themes, motifs, or clichés we see in shows. They're not bad; they help shape stories in a way that's familiar to us. For example, the "will they, won't they" romantic tension between characters is a trope. It's used widely because it keeps us hooked and invested in their relationship.

Stereotypes and Their Impact
Stereotypes, however, are oversimplified ideas about a group of people. When TV relies on stereotypes, it can lead to misunderstanding and perpetuate biases. An example would be the "nerdy Asian" stereotype, which reduces a diverse group to a single, narrow narrative. This is harmful because it doesn't reflect the rich variety of experiences within any community.

Here's How We Can Do Better

• Learn the Difference: Recognizing that tropes are storytelling tools while stereotypes are harmful generalizations can help us appreciate TV shows more critically.
• Think Critically: When we see a trope like the "mysterious stranger" entering the scene (like The Mandalorian in, well, "The Mandalorian"), let's discuss why it's effective or what it adds to the story. For stereotypes, if a show portrays a character in a way that feels one-dimensional or offensive, let's talk about why it's problematic and how it could be better represented.
• Share Diverse Views: Everyone's perspective is unique, and sharing how we see these tropes and stereotypes can enrich our discussions. Maybe you've noticed how "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" subverts typical stereotypes by showing complex and diverse characters in a workplace setting – let's talk about it!
• Keep It Respectful: Our discussions should always uplift and respect each other. When talking about stereotypes, it's crucial to approach the conversation with sensitivity and an openness to learn from others.
• Celebrate the Good Stuff: Let's highlight shows that break the mold! Shows like "Pose" challenge stereotypes by showcasing the depth and diversity of the LGBTQ+ community, offering us stories full of heart and authenticity.

By understanding tropes and stereotypes, we can have richer, more insightful conversations about our favorite shows. Let's challenge ourselves to look beyond the surface and appreciate the storytelling that brings us together. Happy watching and discussing!

Welcome to Primetimer, a community committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive, and safe environment for all members. To maintain these standards, we require all members to adhere to our guidelines concerning usernames. This policy outlines what constitutes an inappropriate username and the steps taken if a username violates our community standards.

What Constitutes an Inappropriate Username?
An inappropriate username includes but is not limited to:

• Offensive or derogatory language directed at any individual or group, including hate speech or slurs.
• Implicit or explicit references to sexual content, obscenities, or pornography.
• Impersonation of another individual, including public figures and other community members, without consent.
• References to illegal activities or substances.
• Use of language or symbols that promote discrimination, violence, or hate.
• Political references such as political parties, political leanings or politicians
• Any other content deemed inappropriate at the discretion of Primetimer’s moderation team.

Usernames found to violate this policy may result in immediate action, including but not limited to:

• Immediate modification of the offending username.
• Note sent to the member with the username who will have the opportunity to select a new name.

Primetimer is dedicated to creating a welcoming space for all members. By adhering to this policy, you contribute to an inclusive and respectful online community. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding.