Viewing parties are becoming more of the norm as we are in a golden age of television. From “The Bachelor” to “Bachelorette” and “Game of Thrones,” viewing parties have been around a long time but never were considered a planned event until shows became the events.

Friends and families have been gathering at the bar for games or around the living room for the Video Music Awards for years. But today, television shows have become more of an experience, making television time together a must and texting in group chats to keep up with what happened on last night’s episode now a thing of the past.

The light is shining on viewing parties this fall as “So You Think You Can Dance: The Next Generation” and “The Voice” have current seasons airing, and hype around these and other shows is enough to warrant a viewing party.

Freshman undecided major Maddie Geniesse said she loves having viewing parties because she has two older sisters that sit around with her on Friday nights to participate. “[we] binge watch a whole season of Shameless together,” Geniesse said.

What makes these parties different than bigger events like award shows is that they are recurring. They bring people together every time a new episode airs. It is a way for people to stay connected through all of their favorite guilty television show pleasures.

“Viewing parties are a good way to get people together and watch something that we all have a common interest in,” said Angela Tribuzio, junior sociology major.

With television entering a new golden phase, these parties have become a necessity for certain shows that play well to big audiences. Different formats and genres of television are not always right for an inclusive viewing experience, but big seasonal competition shows, for example, justify inclusivity among friends and family. This fall is a great time for anyone to experience good TV simultaneously with a group of people.