Netflix's latest foray into live broadcasting has left viewers reeling in its wake, with Alex Honnold's unassisted ascent of Taipei 101 becoming the most stressful viewing experience on record. The hour-long event, which was streamed live to a global audience, had all the hallmarks of a classic disaster film - a single, solo performer scaling an impossibly tall structure without any safety net.
The difference between this and previous Honnold documentaries like Free Solo is stark. While Free Solo was carefully edited to maximize drama and tension, Skyscraper Live presented a raw, unvarnished look at the risks involved in such a feat. The lack of editing meant that viewers were on edge from start to finish, forced to confront the very real possibility that Honnold might slip and fall.
As a result, the viewing experience was akin to taking a long-haul flight in turbulent weather - periods of boredom punctuated by moments of sheer panic. Even watching the climactic moment when Honnold reaches the summit left the author's palms sweaty, a testament to the genuine tension that had been building throughout the broadcast.
However, this kind of live broadcasting is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it provides an unparalleled level of intimacy and immediacy - viewers are directly plugged into the action, feeling every heartbeat, every tremble, every breathless moment. On the other hand, it raises serious questions about the ethics of making entertainment predicated on human life.
In this case, Skyscraper Live had all the hallmarks of a disaster film - no safety net, no escape from the abyss, and a protagonist who was acutely aware that he was playing with fire. As much as one could admire Honnold's athleticism and pluck, it's impossible not to wonder if we should be encouraging such events as a form of entertainment.
The implications are far-reaching. If Netflix were to commission more live events with similar risks - Free Diving Live, Rooftop Parkour Live, or even Eating a Steak Sandwich Without Chewing It Properly Live - would they be courting disaster? Or would this become the new normal for live broadcasting?
One thing's certain: Skyscraper Live will go down in history as one of the most nerve-wracking viewing experiences on record. But perhaps that's enough - let's leave it as a standalone event, rather than paving the way for more thrilling (and terrifying) adventures.
The difference between this and previous Honnold documentaries like Free Solo is stark. While Free Solo was carefully edited to maximize drama and tension, Skyscraper Live presented a raw, unvarnished look at the risks involved in such a feat. The lack of editing meant that viewers were on edge from start to finish, forced to confront the very real possibility that Honnold might slip and fall.
As a result, the viewing experience was akin to taking a long-haul flight in turbulent weather - periods of boredom punctuated by moments of sheer panic. Even watching the climactic moment when Honnold reaches the summit left the author's palms sweaty, a testament to the genuine tension that had been building throughout the broadcast.
However, this kind of live broadcasting is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it provides an unparalleled level of intimacy and immediacy - viewers are directly plugged into the action, feeling every heartbeat, every tremble, every breathless moment. On the other hand, it raises serious questions about the ethics of making entertainment predicated on human life.
In this case, Skyscraper Live had all the hallmarks of a disaster film - no safety net, no escape from the abyss, and a protagonist who was acutely aware that he was playing with fire. As much as one could admire Honnold's athleticism and pluck, it's impossible not to wonder if we should be encouraging such events as a form of entertainment.
The implications are far-reaching. If Netflix were to commission more live events with similar risks - Free Diving Live, Rooftop Parkour Live, or even Eating a Steak Sandwich Without Chewing It Properly Live - would they be courting disaster? Or would this become the new normal for live broadcasting?
One thing's certain: Skyscraper Live will go down in history as one of the most nerve-wracking viewing experiences on record. But perhaps that's enough - let's leave it as a standalone event, rather than paving the way for more thrilling (and terrifying) adventures.
! I mean, Alex Honnold's already crazy enough when you see him in Free Solo, but this Skyscraper Live thing was on a whole other level... like, I literally had my heart racin' the whole time 
. It's one thing to watch someone do something impressive, but it's another to feel like they're literally hangin' by a thread 
.
. I mean, what if somethin' goes wrong? Can we really afford to be puttin' people's lives at risk like that? 
. It's like you're right there with 'em, feelin' every beat of their heart... and that's pretty darn excitin' 
.
the tension was palpable the whole time i found myself biting my nails thinking he's gonna fall at any moment
that would be some weird viewing experience too but seriously though should we be doing this kind of stunts just for the sake of entertainment? 
. As a fan of Free Solo, it was interesting to see how different this experience was - raw and unvarnished vs edited drama 
yeah no thanks!
My palms were SWEATING the entire time!
]
... but at the same time, you gotta wonder if it's a good idea to put yourself in harm's way for entertainment purposes 
. Can we please just stick to scripted shows and leave the thrill-seeking to professionals? 
. Is it okay to watch someone risk their life if it's all part of the show, or do we need to draw a harder line? One thing's for sure, Skyscraper Live was an adrenaline rush like no other - but let's be careful not to romanticize risk too much 
.
. Maybe they'll leave Alex to his solo feats but what about the next person who wants to climb a 100-story building? That's just asking for trouble, bro! 
The lack of editing just made me feel like I was right there with him, sweating bullets the whole time. My palms are still sweaty just thinking about it... 
. And can we talk about the production quality? The sound was all wonky and it felt like they were using a tin can as a mic 
. I'm all for pushing boundaries, but come on, can't we find something a little less... fatalistic? 
? 