History Main / SoOkayItsAverage

This is about works that, for the most part, never cross the line to bad or good. They just stay roughly in the middle, in the opinion of the viewer -- they don't remember anything particularly bad about it, but then they don't remember anything particularly good, either. In fact, they'll probably stop thinking about it at all within a week or so. These are the works we often refer to as "decent", "passable", "okay", "meh", "mediocre", or, especially in the second half of the 2010s and beyond, "mid".

This is about works that, for the most part, never cross the line to bad or good. They just stay roughly in the middle, in the opinion of the viewer -- they don't remember anything particularly bad about it, but then they don't remember anything particularly good, either. In fact, they'll probably stop thinking about it at all within a week or so. These are the works we often refer to as "decent", "passable", "okay", "meh", "mediocre", or (especially in the second half of the 2010s and beyond) "mid".

This is about works that, for the most part, never cross the line to bad or good. They just stay roughly in the middle, in the opinion of the viewer -- they don't remember anything particularly bad about it, but then they don't remember anything particularly good, either. In fact, they'll probably stop thinking about it at all within a week or so. These are the works we often refer to as "decent", "passable", "okay", "meh", or "mediocre".

Why do viewers feel this way? Well it depends. Usually it's a [[StrictlyFormula formulaic]] work that is competent, but little else. Often it's a work that is technically and artistically competent, but otherwise uninspired (this can also apply to works that have high production values, but just don't add up to a satisfying whole package). Once in a while, it's a generally good work [[TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodPlot that strives for greatness, but the result or idea is ultimately too weak]] to get all the way there.

Why do viewers feel this way? Well it depends. Usually it's a StrictlyFormula work that is competent, but little else. Often it's a work that is technically and artistically competent, but otherwise uninspired (this can also apply to works that have high production values, but just don't add up to a satisfying whole package). Once in a while, it's a generally good work [[TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodPlot that strives for greatness, but the result or idea is ultimately too weak]] to get all the way there.

This is about works that, for the most part, never cross the line to bad or good. They just stay roughly in the middle, in the opinion of the viewer -- they don't remember anything particularly bad about it, but then they don't remember anything particularly good, either. In fact, they'll probably stop thinking about it at all within a week or so. These are the works we often refer to as "decent", "passable", "okay", "meh", and "mediocre".

Contrast SugarWiki/SoCoolItsAwesome, SoBadItsGood, CultClassic, DarthWiki/SoBadItsHorrible, and SoUnfunnyItsFunny. Works that fit into those would not fit here.

Why do viewers feel this way? Well it depends. Usually it's a StrictlyFormula work that is competent, but little else. Often it's a work that is technically and artistically competent, but otherwise uninspired (this can also apply to works that have high production values, but just don't add up to a satisfying whole package). Once in a while, it's a generally good work that strives for greatness, but the result or idea is ultimately too weak to get all the way there.

However, it is important to remember that averageness isn't actually negative, nor is it painful. If someone complains that something is "painfully average"[[note]]Example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7pqj6Oy6bs[[/note]] it can be taken as a compliment to the series or genre in general, since it means they have high expectations for it. So that means, dear reader, that ''it's okay for '''you''' to like a work deemed to fall in this category, or to make a work that falls under this category'' If something about the subject matter, execution, cast, or anything else appeals to you, don't let the fact that the aggregate score falls below an 8(0%) stop you from enjoying it, nor should you feel guilty for not being 'good' enough.

Despite what particularly acidic CausticCritc[=s=] claim, however, averageness isn't actually negative, nor is it painful. If someone complains that something is "painfully average"[[note]]Example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7pqj6Oy6bs[[/note]] it can be taken as a compliment to the series or genre in general, since it means they have high expectations for it. So that means, dear reader, that ''it's okay for '''you''' to like a work deemed to fall in this category, or to make a work that falls under this category'' If something about the subject matter, execution, cast, or anything else appeals to you, don't let the fact that the aggregate score falls below an 8(0%) stop you from enjoying it, nor should you feel guilty for not being 'good' enough.

In truth however, averageness isn't actually negative, nor is it painful. If someone complains that something is "painfully average"[[note]]Example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7pqj6Oy6bs[[/note]] it can be taken as a compliment to the series or genre in general, since it means they have high expectations for it. So that means, dear reader, that ''it's okay for '''you''' to like a work deemed to fall in this category.'' If something about the subject matter, execution, cast, or anything else appeals to you, don't let the fact that the aggregate score falls below an 8(0%) stop you from enjoying it.

In truth however, averageness isn't actually a negative thing, nor is it painful at all, since it's in fact nonsensical of negatively criticizing something of average quality. So that means, dear reader, that ''it's okay for '''you''' to like a work deemed to fall in this catergory.'' If something about the subject matter, execution, cast, or anything else appeals to you, don't let the fact that the aggregate score falls below an 8(0%) stop you from enjoying it.

->''"You've seen [[Film/SupermanTheMovie great]] [[Film/TheDarkKnight superhero]] [[Film/IronMan1 films]]. You've seen [[Film/{{Catwoman}} terrible]] [[Film/XMenOriginsWolverine superhero]] [[Film/{{Daredevil}} films]]. Now prepare for a superhero film that's just kinda ''meh!''"''

In truth however, averageness isn't actually a negative thing, nor is it painful at all, since it's in fact nonsensical of negatively criticizing something of average quality. So that means, dear reader, that ''it's okay for '''YOU''' to like a work deemed to fall in this catergory.'' If something about the subject matter, execution, cast, or anything else appeals to you, don't let the fact that the aggregate score falls below an 8(0%) stop you.

In truth however, averageness isn't actually a negative thing, nor is it painful at all, since it's in fact nonsensical of negatively criticizing something of average quality.

->''"You've seen great [[Film/TheDarkKnight superhero]] [[Film/IronMan1 films]]. You've seen [[Film/{{Catwoman}} terrible]] [[Film/XMenOriginsWolverine superhero]] [[Film/{{Daredevil}} films]]. Now prepare for a superhero film that's just kinda ''meh!''"''

Reactions can vary, depending on expectations. Those expecting something great can often feel just as cheated as if the work was outright bad — a very common symptom of HypeBacklash. Many believe that playing it safe is worse than trying and failing, as at least something terrible leaves an impact. This is largely the reason for the FourPointScale. On the other hand, if you aren't expecting much, it's a nice way to kill time, and that's all you are looking for. On yet another hand there's what Joe Queenan described as ''Scheissbedauer'' ("shit regret") which is when you were ''hoping'' for something that would monumentally '''[[SoBadItsGood SUCK]]''', but it just turns out...meh. When a work is popular because it's [[SoBadItsGood so remarkably bad]] and the makers (or remakers) respond with some improvements, it risks falling down here - fans or anti-fans respond "ILikedItBetterWhenItSucked" because the hilariously bad elements have been removed, and the new elements are merely okay.

Why do viewers feel this way? Well it depends. Usually it's a StrictlyFormula work that is competent, but little else. Often it's a work that is technically and artistically competent, but otherwise uninspired (this can also apply to works that have high production values, but just don't add up to a satisfying whole package). Once in a while, it's a generally good work that strives for greatness, but the result or idea is too weak to get there.

-->-- '''WebVideo/HonestTrailers''', on ''Film/{{Thor}}''

->''"You've seen great [[Film/TheDarkKnight superhero]] [[Film/IronMan films]]. You've seen [[Film/{{Catwoman}} terrible]] [[Film/XmenOriginsWolverine superhero]] [[Film/{{Daredevil}} films]]. Now prepare for a superhero film that's just kinda ''meh!''"''

It should be noted, that averageness isn't actually a bad thing, nor is it painful. In truth, flaws specialize things, whereas pros can make something better. After all, balance is important in almost anything in existence, and still, perfection can exist in balance too.

->''"You've seen great [[Film/TheDarkKnight superhero]] [[Film/IronMan films]]. You've seen [[Film/{{Catwoman}} terrible]] [[Film/XmenOriginsWolverine superhero]] [[Film/{{Daredevil}} films]]. Now prepare for a superhero film that's just kinda ''meh!'' ""''

->''"You've seen [[film/{{Superman}} great]] [[Film/TheDarkKnight superhero]] [[Film/IronMan films]]. You've seen [[Film/{{Catwoman}} terrible]] [[Film/XmenOriginsWolverine superhero]] [[Film/{{Daredevil}} films]]. Now prepare for a superhero film that's just kinda ''meh!'' ""''

->''"Nobody hates ''Film/WeekendAtBernies''! The ''WAB'' films are generally regarded as so unremarkably mediocre they don't even attract any trolls who care enough to shit on it. Believe me, I've tried to get in debates with people about it!"''
-->-- '''Jake English''', ''{{Webcomic/Homestuck}}''

Reactions can vary, depending on expectations. Those expecting something great can often feel just as cheated as if the work was outright bad — a very common symptom of HypeBacklash. Many believe that playing it safe is worse than trying and failing, as at least [[SoBadItsHorrible something terrible]] leaves an impact. This is largely the reason for the FourPointScale. On the other hand, if you aren't expecting much, it's a nice way to kill time, and that's all you are looking for. On yet another hand there's what Joe Queenan described as ''Scheissbedauer'' ("shit regret") which is when you were ''hoping'' for something that would monumentally '''[[SoBadItsGood SUCK]]''', but it just turns out...meh. When a work is popular because it's [[SoBadItsGood so remarkably bad]] and the makers (or remakers) respond with some improvements, it risks falling down here - fans or anti-fans respond "ILikedItBetterWhenItSucked" because the hilariously bad elements have been removed, and the new elements are merely okay.

Works generally considered to be average can still have large {{Fandom}}s and {{Hatedom}}s, but don't expect the works to be outright polarizing or have {{Fan Dumb}}s or {{Hate Dumb}}s. The fandoms tend to be about as subdued and pedestrian as the work itself, possibly because no one sees much point in getting worked up over something that doesn't particularly stand out. Interestingly enough looking at many sites that allow users to rank taste, it's far more common to see things ranked in the middle than at either end.

This is about works that, for the most part, never cross the line to bad or good. They just stay roughly in the middle, in the opinion of the viewer -- they don't remember anything particularly bad about it, but then they don't remember anything particularly good, either. In fact, they'll probably stop thinking about it at all within a week or so. These are the works we often refer to as "decent", "okay", "meh", and "mediocre".

Reactions can vary, depending on expectations. Those expecting something great can often feel just as cheated as if the work was outright bad — a very common symptom of HypeBacklash. This is largely the reason for the FourPointScale. On the other hand, if you aren't expecting much, it's a nice way to kill time, and that's all you are looking for. On yet another hand there's what Joe Queenan described as ''Scheissbedauer'' ("shit regret") which is when you were ''hoping'' for something that would monumentally '''[[SoBadItsGood SUCK]]''', but it just turns out...meh. When a work is popular because it's [[SoBadItsGood so remarkably bad]] and the makers (or remakers) respond with some improvements, it risks falling down here - fans or anti-fans respond "ILikedItBetterWhenItSucked" because the hilariously bad elements have been removed, and the new elements are merely okay.

Works generally considered to be average can still have large {{Fandom}}s and {{Hatedom}}s, but don't expect the works to be outright polarizing or have {{Fan Dumb}}s or {{Hate Dumb}}s. That is LoveItOrHateIt. The fandoms tend to be about as subdued and pedestrian as the work itself, possibly because no one sees much point in getting worked up over something that doesn't particularly stand out. Interestingly enough looking at many sites that allow users to rank taste, it's far more common to see things ranked in the middle than at either end.

Contrast SugarWiki/SoCoolItsAwesome, SoBadItsGood, CultClassic, LoveItOrHateIt, DarthWiki/SoBadItsHorrible, and SoUnfunnyItsFunny. Works that fit into those would not fit here.