Unpopular opinion: I always feel my friends are the coolest and most creative everz when playing ttrpgs with them and find Actual Plays boring in comparison

I mean, there are several APs that I enjoy like Mystery Quest because I get to se how new games are played, but I like my friends more. Even when I game with strangers like when I go to cons, I normally enjoy myself more because I'm actually playing rather than just watching/listening.

Idk why, but it's always easier to remember the great moments when my friends nailed a scene, had a great plan, got into shenanigans, etc. I remember and cherish my successes and my fails and those of people around me.

I get confused when people are disappointed that their table isn't like Critical Role. I mean, why should it be? It can be its own unique special brand of fun!