To Read and Not TV

I’m not a TV show type of person. I do watch TV but I’m usually watching a movie rather than a sitcom or a reality TV show or something else. That’s not to say that I’ve never watch them, because I do when the mood strikes or I just can’t find any movies that I want to watch. Most people have their favorite shows that they watch faithfully every week; I see the posts on Facebook. For the past couple of years, I’ve only had two shows that I watched faithfully every week – “Ghost Whisperer” and “NUMB3RS” – which were both on Friday nights, one at 7:00 and one at 9:00. If I liked the show between I might watch it but, more likely than not, I’d go on the computer or talk on the phone for the hour. Regardless, I never missed those two shows and, wouldn’t you know it, CBS cancelled them both at the end of this season. It’s unbelievable; I finally find two programs that I really like, and now they’re gone. I guess it’ll be strictly movies from now on.

Late at night I might put on re-runs of “Roseanne” which I absolutely love only because it’s the only sitcom I’ve ever seen that deals with real life family issues. After they won the lottery it, kind of, went down hill, but I still watched it. I even saw the very last episode. The show was/is pretty funny, though, and I can really relate to it. I don’t know if there are any more sitcoms like that because I don’t watch any these days. I can’t even tell you what shows are on what nights but I have friends who can tell me which is on what night at what time. Wow!! I honestly don’t know what to make of that.

Almost everyone I know is into watching those shows like “Dancing With the Stars,” and “Survivor,” and “American Idol.” I can’t watch them simply because I know they’re not as real as the producers make them out to be. The reason I know is because I did try to watch “American Idol” once a few years ago and, right at the moment I put it on, there was a contestant who, I guess, got kicked off the show and was backstage crying, and badmouthing and backstabbing other contestants. I thought the point of the show was to see who was going to last based on talent; I didn’t realize it was to vote people off and then focus on the theatrical tirades the losers acted out upon leaving the stage. The whole thing just irritated me to the point that I turned it off after about three minutes and have never watched it again. Those “Survivor” shows can’t be real because there are hundreds of camera people/crew members, etc. standing around filming the program. I have heard of people, though, who actually believe the contestants are really trying to “survive.” Um, okay.

I’ve also watched “Bridezillas” and that show about the sweet sixteen parties. Both of those just make me sick. I have never seen such spoiled, selfish, and rude people in my life. I can’t take watching them on a regular basis and don’t understand how other rational people can either. It bugs me when my kids get selfish; I have no tolerance for selfish, whiny adults. I did use to watch the court TV shows occasionally, too. I love Judge Judy for her knowledge but she can be a real bitch sometimes and has no clue about domestic violence relationships. I think that’s a big problem with the legal system these days regarding that very issue. Most attorneys, judges and lawmakers have no clue about the dynamics of said relationships and therefore can’t make reasonable decisions regarding the outcome of cases revolving around DV. I also like Judge Joe Brown. He’s funny, interesting, has outstanding knowledge, and is extremely handsome. I think he’s a real hottie (is that the word these days?).

If the kids are home and I do allow them to watch TV, there are kid shows on so I’m not really interested. I’ve already seen all the episodes of “SpongeBob Squarepants” and Dora and Diego just irritate me. If and when I actually do get control back, I will flip the channels constantly looking for a decent movie. I have to watch it from the beginning if I’ve never seen it before. Even missing the first ten minutes is a no-no with me. If there isn’t a movie on a cable channel, I’ll go to OnDemand to find something. I prefer to watch movies that nobody has heard about – “The Station Agent,” “Muriel’s Wedding,” “Dear Frankie,” and “Little Voice” are movies that I can watch repeatedly and never get sick of them, but they’re also movies that most people have never seen so I can’t discuss my views with anyone. Bummer. I’ll get over it, I’m sure.

Now that my two favorite shows are off the air for good, I don’t know what I’ll do. I don’t really like spending my time in front of the TV to begin with; it’s usually just a way for me to take my mind off of my life and let me drift into a fantasy world for a while. My Friday night schedule, though, was something to which I’d become accustomed and actually looked forward to during the winter months (when shows are new and not always repeats). When you don’t really have a life outside the house, these little things mean a lot. They’re gone, though, so I’ll have to deal with it.

I love to read but I don’t have much in my personal library that I’m really interested in any more. I’ve got a huge Stephen King collection that I’m actually trying to sell, and most of my other stuff is old horror from many moons ago. I’ll either have to start going to the library – which I’m afraid to do since things tend to get ruined around here because of simple child error, it comes with the territory; or I’ll have to find a second-hand book store where I can buy stuff really cheap. I would really prefer not to get hooked on any more TV shows, though, because the disappointment when they are cancelled is just terrible. I’m kidding, of course, but, from what I’ve seen, the trend of TV these days is all reality and I don’t need any more than what I’ve already got. Heck, I like watching paranormal shows but have real ghosts in my own home to talk to; I don’t really need to watch someone else’s.

Maybe I can start my own public access show about my kids and me. It wouldn’t be very exciting, though, and I doubt anyone would really watch it, but I could give it a try. Or, I could actually just watch movies when my mind needs a break and read a book when a little thinking won’t hurt me. Maybe I’ll give it a try. I used to read all the time. As a kid my friends used to laugh at me because I’d go through book constantly. My mother would actually yell at me and tell me to go outside and hang out with my friends instead of sitting inside reading. Brilliant idea, Ma. Lately, though, I tend to fall asleep when I read. Perhaps if my reading material was more interesting that wouldn’t happen. I don’t know. I’ll give it a shot and let you know what happens. If I do happen to read anything worth sharing, I will; in the meantime, if anyone reading this has any good book suggestions, toss them my way. I’d appreciate it – please and thanks.

Until next time…peace to all.