I really enjoy watching Critical Role because it's not so much about the game but about their adventures, their voice acting talents and their natural chemistry. I don't feel like watching a D&D game but just watching some really good friends improv a story. I get attached to the characters, their backstory, their adventures and I'm as intrigued as them when they discover things. Matt Mercer is also a big part of why it's enjoyable to watch. I think he's a good DM for sure, but I think he's a better storyteller.
I can't stand watching regular groups playing roleplaying games. I like playing it, not watching it. I enjoy watching and rewatching Matt Colville's videos, but I couldn't get into his campaign. Nothing wrong with it, but it wasn't an immersive storytelling experience for me, it was a group of people playing D&D.
My relationships to televised sports is the same. I don't care about watching people play a sport, I prefer to play it. But sometimes thing just align the right way and a story comes out of it, and that I'm interested in.
