Hooked on TV?

It seems to be the trend, movies and television programming are mostly geared to the teen set. Thank heavens for the DVD's that aren't. They are mostly of the older movies and programs, but worth watching. In fact, often the older things are the only ones worth watching, over and over.

Gordon I relate to your comments about quality. I had a (gentle) argument with a woman who bought this gadget off of an infomercial (well, actually she bought two because one was ($9.95 and two were just $14.95). I bought exactly the same thing at the dollar store (yup, $1) no differences at all!
Sounds like a comedy in the making I think. I find that if the swearing is, as you mention Abe, to make a point, it can work, but it makes me crazy when every third word is a swear word. The irony is that when they insert it in every sentence, it really has no more meaning. It is much harder to write good clean comedy than to pepper garbage dialogue with drivel, which is why I too enjoy some of the older shows too.
I actually invest in loads of DVD sets that are current shows, but commercial free. Ahh.

Well, as we all know, the tv networks want to produce the shows as cheaply as possilble and have as many commercials as possible. They don't care about quality, they only care that enough people watch co they can keep their raitings and thus their profit margin up. I've also noticed, as it has been mentioned, that movies are overloaded with obscenities, and also violence and sexual content, most of which is unnecessary. It seems the movie producers are often trying to appeal to people's lower nature (the reptile brain). Yet again, one must remember that they care about profits, not quality.

I'd like to see a reality show where folks are rewarded for being fair and nice to each other, instead of greedy. I suppose that's the idea behind Oprah's reality show, The Big Give.

Seems to me, the other shows bring out the worst of human traits.

I would rather work on my writing or read a good book.

Not to sound all high and mighty, now---I will admit I became addicted to "The Young and the Restless" a few years back following surgery. I like to try to out-guess the writers on how they are going to torment the characters.

My family watches Y and R, and we discuss the possibilities as if the actors were family. It is funny; how we go on and on.

My 91-year-old mother says that people like daytime dramas because, no matter how messed up their lives are, the characters on their soap operas are much more confused and tormented.

Rhett, I think your mom is right - and I can remember even as a kid my family getting all excited about Coronation Street. We're in Canada and Coronation Street is a British daytime (soap) opera. The episodes here were months behind what was on TV in the UK, so when my family went there for a visit, they'd fill everyone in on what was coming up (did we mention addiction -- oh yeah, we did). Years later, I met a group of Canadian friends who would meet for coffee every Sunday and chat about Coronation Street. Now that long distance phone is so much cheaper, my Aunt has been known to phone her British cousin and included in their chit chat -- an update.
They must be doing something really right to keep an audience engaged for all that time...

I do not like TV. I rarely watch it anymore.

One of the pluses of driving the truck. When I'm not driving, I'm sleeping or working on my novels or hanging out the window and taking pictures of America.

The only television show I admit I really do like is Doctor Who. But since the show runs when we aren't home, we record it, put it on DVD and then watch when we get stuck somewhere on the road.

I don't even turn the TV on when I go home. It is dumb but we DO own three TVs even though there are only two in our household ... and we are only home 3-5 days a month.

And when I do go home I don't even watch them.

There have been a few times we've been stuck getting our truck repaired or serviced and the breakroom TV has been on. In catching glimpses of the shows I've seen, they just annoyed me. The characters all need either medication or therapy or smack up alongside the head ... or all three!!!

What did we do before TV? We played outside, we played boardgames, we talked ...

When our son was growing up we spent a year with out a television set. I honestly did not miss the thing. He grew up playing outside, spending time with his friends and cousins, and playing with the dog ... he learned to ride a bike, climb trees, climb on the roof (he figured that one out on his own) and roller blade and ice skate.

Of course when we began homeschooling him, he also became involved with the Red Cross, raising the guide dog puppy, and he became a firefighter explorer.

He watched some television, but he wasn't a potato (or a pear).

When his son turned three I bought my son and grandson that book "The Dangerous Book For Boys". Hopefully they will both have fun with it.

Doctor Who was filmed in South Wales during 2005 and 2006. The ninth and the tenth incarnation of the famed time traveller visited many far flung lands - but they were actually all in Wales.

Most of the London location shots were filmed in Cardiff, Wales and the one show set in Cardiff, "The Unquiet Dead," was filmed in Swansea! None of the buildings currently in Cardiff were built during that episode's time, 1869.

They covered the gas lamp lit streets in fake snow for the shoot:

http://www.doctorwholocations.net/locations/cambrianplace

Forest Elf wrote:

I do not like TV. I rarely watch it anymore.

One of the pluses of driving the truck. When I'm not driving, I'm sleeping or working on my novels or hanging out the window and taking pictures of America.

Don't tell me you're a trucker too hey check my Mother Trucking video on

http://aprilsimsaanderadio.ning.com/profile/Rainbow

Anyhoo, I don't watch TV as I prefer to program my own brain and on page 452 of Rainbow's Expressions and Observations

Years ago I had gone round to some friends just as satellite TV hit Britain with BskyB, anyhoo, the images were flahing so fast I got sensory overload and couldn't look at the screen. I looked at my friends and they were staring googley eyed at the screen, My Muse struck this:

BIG BROTHER IN YOUR HOME

George Orwell wrote a book entitled 1984
He spoke about Big Brother and the absence of the War
He said there would be Thought Police
That we would be controlled
He didn’t know how right he was
How we have all been sold
They told us it was wonderful exactly what we need
But did they know just what they did? They asked us to believe
It’s what you want and we agreed
We only saw one side
And now I wonder if you know
Or if you are still blind?
The Thought Police are here right now but it’s a clever trick
It dominates most everything from waking ‘till you sleep
You get a break you go to work
But when you come on home
You activate the Thought Police
They’re right there in your home
You switch them on and let them tell you what to say and do
And what to buy and what to not they really have got you
Within your room the tensions build
Or else they numb your brain
Can you not see beyond the wall
Your mind will feel no pain
You have a choice they have not won whilst some of us are free
To turn it off or throw it out nor give it room to be
But have you guessed what’s in your home?
In hand in cars all three
The evil that I speak about
Is simply called T.V.!


Case Proven-Defence rests!

Most of the evils of TV have been listed, yet there are some good things to say about it. I enjoy the news on CNN and MSNBC and love to watch Indy Car Racing. There are some interesting dramatic shows, although not many, and there is much to be learned on the History Channel and a few others.
When William X. Kienzle was nearing the end of writing his bestseller, The Rosary Murders, he was stuck for an ending. One night he was watching a TV show and he suddenly saw the twist that he needed. Later, while writing a short mystery, I remembered his story and used the same twist. It worked out beautifully for me, just as it had done for Bill Kienzle.
Television, when used wisely, can be a wonderful thing. When used stupidly it is as bad and as worthless as any addiction.

Shelagh wrote:

Doctor Who was filmed in South Wales during 2005 and 2006. The ninth and the tenth incarnation of the famed time traveller visited many far flung lands - but they were actually all in Wales.

Most of the London location shots were filmed in Cardiff, Wales and the one show set in Cardiff, "The Unquiet Dead," was filmed in Swansea! None of the buildings currently in Cardiff were built during that episode's time, 1869.

They covered the gas lamp lit streets in fake snow for the shoot:

http://www.doctorwholocations.net/locations/cambrianplace

Ah man! You mean he doesn't really travel to other planets????
Yeah, I think it funny that a timelord from the planet Gallifrey has a Scottish accent.
And bears a strong resemblance to Barty Crouch Jr.

Forest Elf wrote:

Shelagh wrote:

Doctor Who was filmed in South Wales during 2005 and 2006. The ninth and the tenth incarnation of the famed time traveller visited many far flung lands - but they were actually all in Wales.

Most of the London location shots were filmed in Cardiff, Wales and the one show set in Cardiff, "The Unquiet Dead," was filmed in Swansea! None of the buildings currently in Cardiff were built during that episode's time, 1869.

They covered the gas lamp lit streets in fake snow for the shoot:

http://www.doctorwholocations.net/locations/cambrianplace

Ah man! You mean he doesn't really travel to other planets????
Yeah, I think it funny that a timelord from the planet Gallifrey has a Scottish accent.
And bears a strong resemblance to Barty Crouch Jr.

Oooh, my favorite episode is when he and Martha meet Shakespeare.

Behind the scenes of Doctor Who Confidential - Shakespeare Code:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=jgXKFwNw0oU


"It was a big deal to say the least."

I have noticed that as the years slip away I have no idea who people are talking about. Barty Crouch, Jr., for example. OK, I know he must be the son of Barty Crouch, so who . . . oh, forget it.

I think even people who live under a rock have heard about Harry Potter. Even if they have not read the books or seen the movies.

The actor, David Tenant, who plays the current Doctor on Dr. Who, also played Barty Crouch Jr. in one of the Harry Potter movies. He's a character from the books.

And YES, he is the son of Barty Crouch Sr.

LOL!

Who's Harry Potter?
I think I'll go back under my rock.

You are kidding me, right???

Or maybe not.

I didn't know who Harry Potter was until book four was already out.





Oh, did I mention I also have a scar on my forehead???

You mean ... you're a wzardess?

Does a scar on the forehead mean something? I've got a dandy dating all the way back to 1929. Does that make me special?

Oh, yes, Dick, you're very special.

I think my family is different generations than those of Harry Potter fans! I heard of him and have wondered what all the hubbub was about, but never was curious enough to find out anything or watch/read any of it.

What about "MASH?" Anyone goint to claim they never heard of it? In fact I'm watching a MASH video tonight. And "Get Smart" another favorite of mine.

I think I have watched so many "MASH" reruns that I almost have all the dialogue down! I just never get tired of it, and it is usually better than anything else that is on!

I love MASH. I think I watched it just about every day in junior and highschool and had those characters and their lines memorized. If it was still on here I'd probably still take it in now and again. It was quite likely part of the reason I became so fascinated with the military, actually.

The book I co-authored takes place in and around where I live.
Check out this website: http://www.burg-lemberg.de/engl/burgreg/index.htm
Click on any of the castles and you will get good information about them.
I have visited all but two of the old castles (most of them are just ruins today). However the history is fascinating.
Within hiking distance from where I live, I can visit about 10 of them. The rest are within a 30 to 45 minute drive.

What a marvelous site, Abe. I could spend a lot of time there enjoying the history behind each castle. Fascinating. I am truly envious.