In a brilliant production choice, the rear surround channels in Season 17 were used to create a sense of presence. As Bob mixes his paints, the subtle clinking of the turpentine jar and the squeak of the brush against the palette drift into the rear speakers. This places the viewer in the 3D space. You are hearing the environment wrap around you, simulating the experience of standing next to the easel.
Decades later, revisiting Season 17 in high-definition audio reveals that it wasn't just a technical spec bump—it was a paradigm shift in how the show communicated intimacy. the joy of painting season 17 dd5.1
