Deprived
Call it a social experiment if you will, but for the last ten and a half months I have been living a life without television.
No Olympics, no Grey’s Anatomy, no House, no Desperate Housewives, no CSI, no Prison Break, no Family Guy, no Jerry Springer, no Heroes, and no South Park. Why? Because we don’t have cable.
The Captain’s explanation for this self-inflicted horror goes something like: if I got cable, I would want all the premium movie channels and I’m not home enough to justify the cost.
So for the most part our television is mute, screen blank, rabbit ears stretching lazily towards the ceiling. I think we might actually get two channels, but I don’t know which ones because they both come in fuzzy.
A few times I’ve offered to foot the bill for the glorious Comcast service we could be enjoying, but my generosity was met with contempt. So rather than insult the Captain, I’ve soldiered on knowing that never will I see a single episode of Project Runway, Dancing with the Stars, or Lost.
It makes things awkward at work. What else it there to talk about?
“Oh my God, did you catch The Office last night?”
“Hahahahaha. Yeah. I love that show. Steve Carell is hilarious.”
“I want to have Steve Carell’s babies!”
“Me too!”
“Stacey, isn’t The Office the best show EVER?”
“Um . . . I don’t have tv.”
[awkward silence]
“What . . . well . . . what do you do at night then?”
“I have two cats and a laser pointer.”
“Oh, honey . . .”
Most people cannot possibly fathom how anyone could exist without Friends reruns. They look at me with a mix of confusion, sympathy, and disgust. I have even been treated like I have a terminal illness. My life is a reality show I’m not even able to tune in to.
But wait! I have Netflix! I can watch all those popular tv series episodes too . . . when the whole season is released on DVD. You’ll still want to talk about it then? Right?
Right?
No?
Alright, well, you enjoy the season premiere of Gossip Girl. I’m, um . . . I’m going to go read a book.
::blink blink::
I don’t even know what to say.
Oh dear.
Want to come over and watch Project Runway and drink wine/Sprite?
Oh man, we have two cats and a laser pointer too! That equals good times, baby!
That’s great. I went for a span of about six years without TV once. I got back into it when I got a job in the city and didn’t know anyone. That was when I discovered 24, Survivor…the shows kept coming from there. I still don’t want to give it up. We almost canceled it totally this spring, but DISH finally told us about their “super secret” $9.99 a month package that they don’t advertise or tell you about until you are *this* close to canceling…anyway, no movie channels but we get a good assortment of channels.
Kevin, you can watch the cats run into walls only so many times before it gets old.
Stephanie, YES!
Jodi, not since they’ve gotten wise to the “running around in circles = dizzy walk” thing.
Maleesha, I think one drill weekend the Captain will come home to find we have extended basic cable.
When we moved I got rid of our TV b/c my daughter could sing the theme song to Family Guy. When my mom got hurt and had to move in, I got one but only movies (no rabbit ears or anything). There are times where I miss the Simpsons so I go onto http://www.hulu.com, you can even watch The Daily Show.
I have to say, I barely watch tv except January through April. Those are my slow months for work and so I am not spending nights up working. Plus, it’s winter. I record the good stuff and sit in snowstorms on the weekends and plug through it. But good for you , without the tv!
by My feelings are showing
I have to say, I admire your resolve.
I just got on-demand and I dont know how I’ve lived without it all this time.
btw, great site.
You obviously have an internet connection. Grab BitTorrent and you’re watching all these shows the day after they’re broadcast.
Mollie & Martin, I don’t spend much time on the internet (weird, huh?), but maybe I’ll try to catch a show that way.
SOTJ, I don’t miss it, really. However, I know if I had tv I’d watch it ALL THE TIME.
Feelings, don’t admire me. I don’t watch only because I can’t. If we had cable, I’d totally be addicted.
Oh I dunno… cats and laser pointers can provide endless fun. Add some catnip into the equation and you’re set for life!