I’ve never been a huge television watcher. We didn’t have a lot of access when we were kids (there was only one black and white station, after all) and it was never really an issue. In my late teens and early twenties, my flatmates and I didn’t even have a television (we used to go to the Hopetoun to watch Melrose Place on Tuesdays and that was it for the week!).
These days I watch a few shows here and there. Grey’s Anatomy hooked me in and even though it got really dumb and unfunny at least four years ago, I still watch it and try to smile (although the other night when they all burst into song in the ICU for some inexplicable reason, that was very, very hard to do). Same goes for Survivor – I’ve been an avid viewer for ten years and I know the show so well I could easily be Jeff’s understudy. I also tune in religiously to So You Think You Can Dance and am a confirmed Gleek (although I only watch it for Sue Sylvester’s lines and Puckerman’s, well, lines). Every now and then I watch Dr Phil at work because Dr Phil is my guru and he’s way more interesting than work. And sometimes I catch Spicks and Specks because I have a girl-crush on Myf. And I find myself watching How I Met Your Mother with remarkable regularity considering I don’t actually watch that show.
There are plenty of other shows on television that I’m sure are ‘must sees’. And there are many conversations that I’m instantly tuned out of because no, I didn’t watch Packed to the Rafters / Law and Order / Sex and the City / Ally McBeal / The Bill / Insert ‘Must See’ Show last night.
I could say that I don’t have the time, but I always think you make the time for the things you like. When it all comes down to it, television isn’t really that much different to a good book – you get a bit lost in another world for a little while. Beyond the ‘learning to read’ stage, I don’t think TV is any more passive an activity than reading, especially as it’s rare for me to ‘challenge’ myself with a great work of literature these days – most of what I pick up is crime / thriller paperback stuff and I’m okay with that. But getting hooked on a television show is a little bit like watching someone else live your best life for you*. Only their life is so much more interesting and exciting than yours. So maybe with TV, I just can’t handle the feeling of inadequacy?
[Image via weheartit]
Cate says
Well since I only watch one of the show on your list (spicks and specks) I might not be the best one to ask – but I love Qi and Top Gear (actually they are the only three shows I watch!!)
But TV is a bit overrated most of the time.
xxxCate
Oh, just thought of Ace of Cakes too – like that one π
therhythmmethod says
We don’t watch much, although I love Spicks and Specks and RocKwiz on SBS. My absolute favourites are not on at the moment, but I recommend if you can borrow/steal DVD copies:
Breaking Bad (best show EVER! EVER!!!)
Mad Men
Big Love
United States of Tara
I also love Grand Designs.
Felicity says
I prefer to watch my TV on the computer and there’s not too much that I invest my time in there either.
Many of the shows that I enjoy, I don’t watch at the time of broadcast but through the channels replay facility like ABC’s iView.
The one exception to this lately has been “Downton Abbey” which has been a visual treat for me.
Great topic, I’ll enjoy returning to read what others have to say.
xx F
Lee@mummyissuespart2 says
I tend to tape and watch later or watch entire series on DVD.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE Community. That was the best find of the year.
I second the love of Breaking Bad. I also love How I Met your Mother, Glee and Offspring.
I tape Compass every week too.
Mum on the Run says
I think TV’s on lots of people’s minds this week – must be the beginning of Winter!
I’m grappling with the kid + tv equation at the moment.
Personally, I have trashy tv taste.
I’m looking forward to my dose of ‘Angry Boys’ on the ABC after Spicks & Specks tonight. I love Grey’s, ‘Fat People Sooking’ AKA known as ‘Biggest Loser’ and Offspring on 10.
As you said, it’s tune out time. Except I can’t just watch tv without doing something else simultaneously!!! Exercise bike, school work, sewing, writing lists…
π
deux chiens et un garcon says
I dont really watch tv much now days I used to over indulge. I like rhythm method’s list.
I make a confession that the last few nights I have turned on the tele on abc 2 for ‘in the night garden’ at 6.30 pm. A bit out of desperperation when doing the bath book bed routine by myself. I go all gooey when iggle piggle pulls down his sail and lights his mast and floats across the ocean. Does this make me a bad mother, using TV to wind down before bed? We dont watch it any other time.
Glen says
Well Sexectra never lets you down!
or Big Fat Gypsy Weddings or Dr. Who or, for that matter, Shameless.
I don’t know how many of those you get over there, but they would be my answer π
Brenda @ Mira Narnie says
haha! yes the TV! well we dont watch tv during the day, and it goes on once the kidlets are in bed, so we really only watch the news (boooring hey!) The one show i’m into at the moment though is Offspring with the gorgeous Asher Keedy in it. It’s really odd but just a great zone out. But i agree, too much tv and you missing out of living your own life!
xx
Mama of 2 boys says
Dexter, Breaking Bad, Sons of Anarchy, Mad Men, Tangle and Hung are all brilliantly made shows. Completely hooked on all of them. With the exception of Hung, they’re all quite serious, but each of them have humorous elements. If you ever get the chance, strongly recommend checking them out.
Newmumma says
I am the opposite – a complete addict. I get sucked into so many shows it’s ridiculous. I even download them from the US because I can’t wait.
Yep I need to attend TV addicts anonymous π
Mama Mogantosh says
I like the rhythm methods list too. Nurse Jackie I also loved, but my top pick is Curb Your Enthusiasm. Best ever! And..this is a terrible, time-sucking, addictive commitment, so avoid if you can…but Masterchef, the couch and a unreasonably large chunk o’ chocolate makes my heart happy at the finale of the dinner-bath-bed shenanigans.
Life In A Pink Fibro says
The Wire (you know I am obsessed).
Downton Abbey.
That’s it.
Michele says
Theres a great HBO series called “In Treatment” that is v addictive. Basically therapy sessions, different clients, the impact on the psych, bits of his personal life and then the supervision session at the end to wrap it all up. Started downloading and watching Season one on my iPod but ehem v qucikly blew my monthly download so became a VERY expensive series.
Could have just bought the boxset – which I do intend to do ASAP it is that good, high quality and well made, great idea for a show.
Gabrielle Byrne and Dianne West main characters with other known actors in it too. Pretty much all takes place in the counselling room on the couch. Great stuff
Link to Amazon here http://www.amazon.com/Treatment-Season-One-Gabriel-Byrne/dp/B0013FSL0C
Apart from that do watch but dont really love much else. SYTYCD I do love when its on. ABC bookclub show is awesome but I never remember to watch it. Australian Stories. A big sucker for the Find your Family type shows and family history ones. and the ones that make people live as if in another era hmmm sorry very vague I cant remember the title of the shows.Get stuck into Bondi Vet with my little girl who is animal mad and usually end up in tears at some point watching that.
Loved Mad Men for costumes etc, wanted to watch Downton Abbey for same reason but missed the start and cant do it now.
Will probably watch the Block if I can remember its on
Thats about it – way too much TV I think. Hankering for a really good engaging huge book. Any suggestions????
Littlemissairgap says
I can remember feeling a little ‘lost’ in tv land when “Northern Exposure” ended.
Hooked on Big Love (especially when there’s a chance Bill Paxton will get his kit off π and same goes for The Tudors (and Henry Cavill getting his kit off too π … I think there’s a theme emerging here
ally says
Oh I loved Northern Exposure – – great memories.
I was an ER girl, switched to Greys and now I’m a Gleek and Offspring girl
(too many things to do online these days – – and no lap top!)
Naturally Carol says
I am addicted to Desperate Housewives..I find it hilarious! One of the only programmes where Americans have a really good laugh at their own way of life and aspirations! I do love Madmen too..have done since the beginning..though it was the costumes and sets that got me in.
Karen Wilson says
The only shows I’ve been watching lately are Bones and Castle but they’re both running repeats at the moment. Oh, and I could tell you all about the happenings on all the shows on ABC for Kids!
I too get left out when others start discussing TV shows
Tas says
Oh, c’mon. You had to not just smile but laugh at the ep of Grey’s…what else could you do?
Jodie Ansted says
Well I was a big Brothers & Sisters fan but that finished this week. Like, for good. *sob*
Greys fan too – and gotchya on the singing thing. Glee fans maybe?
I love Glee and Desp Housewives but watch them when they come out on DVD. Same with, ah, Gossip Girl. *cough*
My latest I absolutely LOVE is Downton Abbey. I love period pieces. Love them!
Everything else I can take or leave.
Amy says
Hmmm, you do know that All McBeal was axed like 10 years ago, right???
And well Oprah has ended too… :-p
I have a girl crush on Myf too. Don’t watch Spicks and Specks nearly enough anymore.
Kymmie says
Oh, you and I would do very well watching television together. First of all, we’re both Gleeks (how was that final episode tonight???), and I luuurve Spicks and Specks. But that’s it for me. The TV is hardly on at our place (except for when our grown up daughter is home), but she’s just left for Mt Buller a few hours ago. So back to quiet nights for us.
When I moved out of home my big claim was never buying a television (still haven’t to this day!), but did indulge with friends who did own a TV on Melrose Place nights!
And yes, I like my real life far more than watching someone’s pretend life on tellie… x
Rachael says
I only watch one show pretty regularly. Well, it’s not on right, but the new season is starting. Other than that, if the TV’s on, maybe sometimes I’ll go in the room and watch it. But TV mostly plays the same shows over and over, and the same episodes, so I’m not really missing anything. Mostly I check the movies that’s on TV more than anything.
Wanderlust says
Oddly, I don’t watch TV. It’s not a value thing, it just bores me. I waste a lot of time on social media sites, though. I read lots of blogs. We don’t have cable so my kids don’t watch it either, but they watch lots of DVD’s. I don’t have strong opinions on it, I just hate all the commercials and am glad they don’t get bombarded with them. I kinda miss the news…
greta @ topography says
You need some Mad Men. DVD ASAP.
Abbie says
I love tv. But i think my likes tend on the male side. My husband has he hooked on Top Gear and HBO series Games of Thrones. I got him hooked on True Blood.
None of them do anything to enhance my life other than exposed me to blood guts gore violence and smut. I like smut. hahaha
Please don’t think bad of me. It’s what makes the world go round.
What was the question again??
Mrs Average says
I dont tend to watch much TV these days. A combination of time, tiredness, talking and blogging see to that. Its not a bad thing. Whilst on maternity leave I got somewhat embarrassingly hooked on two well known Aussie soaps. Anyway I have moved on and have another guilty pleasure – Waterloo Road….. if only my site manager was Robson Green.
Corinne β Daze of My Life says
How weird! I just wrote a similar post about TV. I don’t have a show that I love to watch at the moment.
Shows I’ve watched recently that I loved were Mad Men and Boardwalk Empire. I love the detail in both shows, there’s a lot of historical stuff going on in the background as well as good storylines (and glorious sets and costumes).
trudi@maudeandme says
There is enough drama in my “normal” family life that I just can’t tune in to any more. and we must be one of the few families left that haven’t gone digital yet. My kids and husband love all the docos and collectors is a family favourite.
Karen says
I tend to wander in and out of the room doing stuff (OK sewing) while the telly is on but I too love Survivor (some of them just don’t get the politics – haven’t they ever watched a series before going on it??).
Amazing Race gets me in too as does Masterchef – so it seems reality TV is my thing at the moment.
But I still can’t go past an old episode of the West Wing (best show ever) or ER on DVD.
Suzi says
It’s funny, now that you mention it, since we started living our life without television, I think our family wants for less and is generally happier with the way we are at the moment. Television puts alot of focus on self improvement which in many ways is inspirational but can also get you a bit down about things your circumstances dont allow you to change. Oh well, as my mother always says, everything in moderation.
Sam-O says
We had a b&w tiny portable that came out for special occaisions and Sat night Golden Years of Hollywood. So I was completely deprived growing up.
Overcompensation as an adult. 3 IQ’s in this house… I watch way too much tv.
My kids on the otherhand don’t really get it, the Munchkin will only sit through cooking shows and the Little Man mostly wants Mickey mouse and has just discovered Neverland Pirates.
The Workaholic and I watch and record hours and hours of tv. He has it going if he is in the house. I am a little more selective and only watch when the kids are asleep at night.
I like, Dr Who, Torchwood, Primeval, Dexter, Downton Abbey, QI, and lots of British detectives like Zen, Lewis, Morse etc, and of course my very guilty pleasures Eastenders and Coronation St.
Vanessa says
Except for the Biggest Loser series, we have a rule that no tv on Mon-Thur nights. Anything the girls want to watch is taped and we usually catch up on Glee and The Big Bang Theory which we all love onb Friday nights.
I have watched every series of Survivor and I am currently drawn to Downton Abbey. Other than that I love a renovating show so am looking forward to seeing The Block and Renovators. I often sit on the lounge floor and scrapbook while the tv is on.
Oh and I am a bit addicted to Parenthood. I love the woman from the Gilmore Girls (so much I can’t remember her name!)
I used to tape United States of Tara too which was really edgy.
inner pickle says
I thought Downton Abbey was going to be a bit amazing but last week was a tad daft so jury’s out. Still gorgeous to watch though, such a shame it’s on a commercial station (yes I know I sound 90.)
Also a gleek, love it. Also The Tudors which everyone expected me to watch being a medieval head but somehow it passed me by. They’re replaying season 3 on ABC2, it ROCKS. xx
Lisa says
I’m really loving Offspring on a Monday night. It’s quirky and sometimes a bit dumb… but I reckon there’s a bit of Nina in all of us! Besides, watching dysfunctional families (even ‘made-for-TV’ ones) makes me feel normal!
MultipleMum says
Snap with the Rhythm Method. No wonder I love Karen so much π x
Alice Becomes says
Hello! Feels like I haven’t been by for ages and am now playing catch up on your week. I’m not finding time to watch too much TV these days. Do love Spicks and Specks (MM and I have a contest to see who can call out the answers first, although we are rarely quick enough to beat Allan). Also like RocKwiz, United States of Tara (another SNAP with Karen and Multiple Mum on these) and Glee. At the moment I am tuning in for Downton Abbey and that is it. Can’t stand Grey’s Anatomy but I have to give you credit for loyalty. I hate it when good shows turn bad!
Simoney says
Ahhh. I’ve just had a moment between jobs to sit down and read over your posts this week…
On the TV front – Greys and Survivor are my two MUST SEE shows. I gave Desperate Housewives the flick this season; I just thought, meh.
American Idol was big news in our house; me and the kids watched it together (recorded, then watched minus ads of course) and of course a very unsatisfying result.
But still. Nice to watch it together; same goes for Survivor; the kids are big fans.
We were not TV watchers when i was a kid; and now my kids would watch it far more than they should, if they could.
I’m a fan of recording… then zipping past ads.
There’s a British show on Prime called “Downton Abbey” – a kind of “Upstairs Downstairs” – an old childhood fav. I’m enjoying that too.
Here’s hoping you get spome more sleep soon Miss M.
xx
Jodi @ The Scribble Den says
We don’t watch a huge amount of TV. Never usually in the day time, just after dinner really.
My fav program is ‘The Good Wife’ on Channel 10. I just love, love this show! It is the only show that I watch religiously every week. It is off, between seasons, at the moment so I am suffering withdrawals π
Other than that we like Rockwiz, Spicks & Specks, Law & Order SVU & Desperate Housewives.
notquitecrafty says
I agree with so many others about Offspring – I love it. Don’t have the patience to watch much else at the moment, but am watching old episodes of ER on DVD & also enjoy Grey’s.
Have Masterchef on in the background & if 4 Corners sounds interesting I will watch it later on iview.
ABC3 seems to be a constant choice in my house when the smaller people are up, so I revel in silence.
MummyK says
I am a TV addict. Seriously. But I watch when I can, that’s why I download it on my computer so I can take it anywhere — the train, my desk etc. But I am an addict.
Hi I'm Rhonda. says
I watch far too much tv. Seriously I watch like 15 shows or something ridiculous. But I only watch them from my DVR. Because then it’s on my time, when I feel like sitting down for mindless indulgence.
MonetPaisley says
What was with that musical episode if greys anatomy???? Were they all song from the fray?