First a bit about me.
Both of my parents worked when I was a kid. I mean they worked like dogs. Dad was the business manager at the local hospital and mom did a variety of things — from department store clerk and secretary to dental hygenest. We lived in a small apartment owned by my aunt and uncle, who lived next door. My parents busted their asses like slaves so that my sisters and I could have clothes, food and (occasionally), toys. As a child I loved them; as a parent I admire them.
When I got home from school, the house was empty. I’d let myself in, make a snack and … you guessed it … turn on the TV. It was my companion for many years.
During those years I developed a strong TV addiction. Ours was the family whose TV was always on. At mealtimes we turned it towards the kitchen so that we could watch M*A*S*H. The thing was so hot you needed a pair of tongs to change the channel and there was always a faint smell of smoldering plastic rising from the top.
We loved our TV.
My TV addiction followed me for a long time. Even in my adult life, I couldn’t do anything without the TV on. Getting dressed in the morning? Turn on the TV. Making dinner? Turn on the TV. Folding laundry, sitting around, heck … talking on the phone?
Turn on the TV.
Then I had kids and was often too distracted to turn on the TV. Not because I had become one of those Anti-Television Nazi parents who scowl at anyone suggesting that my precious little ones catch an episode of “The Backyardagains.” Because I just had more pressing things demaning my attention. So, I learned to live without it.
Months and years passed. Then, something happened. I noticed that TV is pretty annoying. In fact, most of what’s on is unwatchable. So I started leaving it off.
Today, I rarely turn it on. Oh, I have my favorite shows that I catch, but most of the time it’s off. And I know I’m not missing anything.
Here’s a look at the fall 2008 schedule. I’ve identified the shows I actually watch, eliminating from the list new shows that haven’t premiered yet.
Dancing with the Stars – No
Samantha Who? – Never heard of it
Boston Legal – No
Big Bang Theory – No
How I Met Your Mother – No
Two and a Half Men – No
CSI: Miami – No
Gossip Girl – No
One Tree Hill – No
Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles – No
Prison Break – No
Chuck – No
America’s Toughest Jobs – No
Heroes – No
Dancing with the Stars – No
Eli Stone – No
NCIS – No
Without a Trace – No
House – No
The Biggest Loser - Yes. My wife and I enjoy this show. Plus, I’ve got a wicked crush on Alison Sweeney
Law & Order: SVU – No
Pushing Daisies – Yes. I actually love this show.
Private Practice – No
Dirty Sexy Money – No
Old Christine – No
Criminal Minds – No
CSI: NY – No
America’s Next Top Model – No
Bones – No
‘Til Death – No
Knight Rider – No
Deal or No Deal – No
Lipstick Jungle – No
Ugly Betty – No
Grey’s Anatomy – No
Survivor: Gabon – Yes. I love me some Survivor.
CSI – No
Smallville – No
Supernatural – Never even heard of this.
The Moment of Truth – No
Kitchen Nightmares – Never heard of it.
My Name Is Earl – No
The Office – Yes. This show is consistently funny and set in my beloved hometown of Scranton, Pa.
30 Rock – No
ER – No
Wife Swap – No
Supernanny – Yes. It’s fun to see Nanny Jo employ the same behavior modification techniques I used for 15 years as a special needs teacher.
20/20 – No
Ghost Whisperer – No (My wife calls this show “The Boob Whisperer”).
Numb3rs – No
Everybody Hates Chris – No
The Game – Never heard of it.
Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader? – No
America’s Funniest Home Videos – No
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition – Sometimes. I don’t catch it very often anymore, but the sappy sentimentality appeals to me.
Desperate Housewives – No
60 Minutes – No
Amazing Race – Yes. Love The Race.
Cold Case – No
The Unit – No
The OT – No. I can’t stand Terry Bradshaw
The Simpsons – No
King of the Hill – No
Family Guy – Yes. Consistently funny.
American Dad – Sometimes. It’s really just Family Guy with different characters
Sunday Night Football – Yes. I love football.
The shows I watch most often are Futurama and Twilight Zone reruns (and Battlestar Galactica, whenever Sci-Fi gets around to actually airing it. Grr).
I find that I’d much rather write, read my book or talk with my daughter about “Vincent,” the rising class clown of her kindergarten.
I know it’s hard to break free of TV. But you can do it. Look at that list if insipid, insulting excrement the networks are offering you. You’re better than that. Turn off the damn TV. You’ll be glad you did.
I’m surprised that you don’t watch Heroes. I’m not quite ready to give up my addiction, but I admire you for being able to turn it off.
I’m an animation junkie. Watching South Park now, although there was a season (with Mecha Streisand) where it went to poop and Kellye now hates it. So I still watch Simpsons and (when Fox airs it, grr) King of the Hill. Oh, and pretty much all of Adult Swim
Even Tim & Eric.
But I was a latch-key kid too and got horribly addicted to TV as well. I have to admit I find 98% utter garbage and the LOUD commercials drive me insane. Kellye keeps it on as background noise, but Judge Judy and The View are not background noise. The insist themselves.
And no Lost? We’re both hooked on that, but we’re suckers for time travel stories.
I find it hard to believe that you watch inane reality shows and yet miss out on some of the truly great shows on that list like House and Bones. I think great TV and films are the literature of our age. Reality shows are the tabloids and sitcoms are the dime store novels.
There is nothing but crap on TV right now but I gather it’s because the writers are still playing catch up after the strike.
I’m surprised you don’t watch Heroes – I love that show. All the others suck (although I will probably check out Pushing Daisies on dvd in the future). That’s what I prefer – buy dvd box sets of well-written shows (NO reality TV) rather than loyally following a show week after week.
The Office – hasn’t been nearly as funny as the first and second season… although I’m curious about what happens to Dwight and Angela – the only two interesting people on the show.
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