My Television Confession

Posted on 04.08.07 in Thoughts and there are 11 comments.

I don’t watch much tv. When I do, it’s usually some sort of sporting event.

It’s not that I don’t like tv, it’s just that I’d rather do stuff on my computer so I aquiesce my television rights to my sweet husband and his entertainment of choice is normally sports and since I do enjoy sports, it works out well for everyone.

I Have A Problem
But I think I might have a problem. Technically, I think it’s called SDD.

What is SDD?

Severe Drama Deficiency

I’m a girl and I think all girls are born with an innate need for a certain amount of drama. XHTML, CSS, PHP and other web technologies apparently don’t fill that void. Neither does the Superbowl or the World Series.

How do I know I have SDD? I think the way I respond to commercials is a sure sign of my affliction.

We don’t watch many commercials but when we do leave one on, I completely get wrapped up in that 30 second “drama”. I mean, I really empathize with the Geico caveman guy....they ARE being insensitive. And those Verizon commercials just choke me up. It’s so wonderful to have people you can count on.

I’m a complete fool if I catch a Hallmark commercial. It’s like the epic of the commercial drama world. Give me some icecream and a box of tissues and I’m lost for that whole stinkin’ 60 seconds.

Why am I telling you all this? Well, I felt the need to confess some of the shows I watched during my long and lonely stay in the hospital and I thought that if you understood my disease, you’d understand how I could possibly subject myself to these shows....voluntarily.

My Confession
Here are a few of the shows I’m embarassed to say I watched while in the hospital:

1. Saved By The Bell - The College Years - A beautiful show that accurately and vividly depicts the lives of six upstanding young men and women looking to make their way in the world.

2. Trick My Truck - A moving docudrama about down and out truck drivers unhappy with the outward appearance of their vehicles. Surprised by generous and heavily tatooed benefactors whose skills range from demolition and welding to spray painting and interior design these truck drivers get their trucks overhauled and in every episode I saw (yes, I watched it multiple times) they are moved to tears.

3. America’s Next Top Model - This show firmly reinforced my insecurites in my post pregnant physique. Thank you Tyra Banks.

4. Gilmore Girls - This is like Red Bull for the Severely Drama Deficient. After only watching the show for 35 minutes I’m confident I’ve filled my drama watching quota for the remainder of 2007.....and 2008.

Well, there you go, my television confession. Have you ever seen any of these shows? Are there any shows you need to ‘fess up about?

The Comments:

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I stayed up all night watching the first season of Gilmore Girls last December. I was on break from school and well...I feel really bad about it! I haven’t touched GG since.

I get majorly sucked into Glilmore girls…

I have to admit to watching “Saved By the Bell” on occasion.  I make fun of it, but I secretly enjoy it. 

I don’t watch “Gilmore Girls” often because I never remember when it’s on, or what channel it’s on, but I like it.  It is really easy to get drawn in to that show.

I haven’t seen the truck show, but I’ve watched “Pimp My Ride” with my husband...I think they’re similar. 

I just can’t bring myself to watch the model show...when I’ve flipped past it, someone’s always crying, and I’m thinking, “What are you crying about...look in the mirror!”

My guilty pleasure:  watching a soap opera ("The Young and the Restless” or “Guiding Light") on the rare occasion that my kids will let me without screaming for a movie.  My Mama watched them when I was growing up, so even though I know they’re stupid, I have fond memories of those shows.

Like you I don’t watch TV, I’d rather be doing something.  The computer (and computer games) hold far more interest to me.  Perhaps it’s my desire to accomplish something, I dunno.  Also, one thing I find I can’t do at all is watch something repeatedly unless it’s REALLY good or I haven’t seen it in a long time.  I think it’s because I remember things too well..or maybe it’s ADD…

Susanne,
You know I actually have fond memories of Soap Operas as well. I don’t really watch them now, but when I was little I had a nanny who used to watch them a lot and I have fond memories of watching Soap Operas and eating those little Vienna Sausages. Random...I know. You’re comment just sparked my memory.

Bekah,
A Gilmore Girls marathon? That sounds very dangerous. I once watched a Real World Marathon (a long time ago). That was a bad idea.

Kristin,
It’s nice to know I’m not alone.

Ryan,
I’m the same way. I have a need to either accomplish things or learn something. I also will rarely watch a movie a second time and I don’t think I’ve ever read a book twice.

I strongly prefer the computer over the TV also. I think it really is the “interactive” component to it—TV watching is such a passive activity, it talks to you and tells you what to think and how to feel, but doesn’t listen back.

I was very tired and in need of rest this weekend, so I did actually sit around and watch some TV for a change, but time-wise I mostly watched the Masters (golf, for those who don’t know). It’s not a very exciting sport for TV viewing, but it is competitive and skillful, and Tiger was trying to win yet another major. (But Tiger didn’t win this one—some unknown guy from Iowa who said that Jesus is the most important person in his life won instead).

The “reality” shows are like fingernails dragging across a chalkboard to me. I just can’t get past the totally phony made-up drama, the careful editing to make things seem different than they really are, and how much all of these shows have adopted and follow such a standard formula. And since these are everywhere, I just can’t find much TV worth watching.

I love both tv and the computer!  But I don’t actually accomplish stuff on the computer...I read blogs, news, etc.  I think there are some great shows on tv these days...great writing, acting, etc. going on. 
My guilty pleasure is Grey’s Anatomy.  I don’t think my personal morals resemble those on the show in any way, shape, or form, but there is some great character development and HEAPS of relational drama for us women.  Although lately the season seems to be taking a bit of a downturn....
I also have been known to let life stop if I have a great show to watch on DVD...that is in fact, how I started watching Grey’s.  Yeah, tv is a big time sucker.

C-Hammer,
To show you how Drama Deprived I am, I teared up when Phil Mickelson put the green jacket on Zach Johnson. I don’t even like golf. I’ve never heard of Zach Johnson, but I got all choked up.

I need help.

Amy,
What do you mean you don’t accomplish stuff on the computer? You read my very enriching and informative and intellectually stimulating blog…

One of my favorite musicians, Kendall Payne, had a song on Grey’s Anatomy. It’s a song called Scratch and I watched a video of it on YouTube. From what I gather, a nurse fell in love with a patient and then he died. I was blubbering by the end of the video.

Photographic memory Kat?

Oh, man, I’m with Amy.

You gotta watch Grey’s Anatomy.  Thursday 8 central.  After the Office, of course.  7:30.  But different channels.

Top Model is an evil trap.  And Tyra, with her ridiculous shannanagans (sp?)....But still I watched an entire marathon one Saturday.

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