The Idiot Box
The advent of DVDs has really done a number on my television viewing habits. Through the bounty of the DVD, I can now watch entire seasons of television shows all at once.
I have a habit of being at least one year behind the curve in regard to television trends. I attribute this to the fact that there was no television in my house until I was thirteen. My insane stepfather thought that television made you a zombie vegetable (I’m not saying he was crazy because of his No TV stance– his craziness was evident in other non-TV areas of life), so… no TV. I would spend the night at friends’ houses and basically want to spend the entire time watching their TV and eating their sugary snacks (another crazy stepfather weirdism– no sugar). Anyway, this TV deprivation deprived me of basic television-watching skills. I have TV-related developmental delays.
I discover TV shows at least a year after they start. Usually years after they start. Someone will tell me that the show is so great, and I’ll say, “Sure, I should check that out,” and then I mentally file the information under, “Whatever.” Then I start watching the show (years later) and exclaim, “Why didn’t anyone tell me??”
With entire seasons on DVD, I can quickly catch up. And when I say “quickly catch up,” I mean, “obsessively watch every available episode in a very small period of time.” For instance, Buffy the Vampire Slayer: seven seasons, one month, I think? Bad idea. Buffy overload. Neglected house. Started styling hair with a roller brush and yearned for better highlights. Had filthy thoughts about Spike. Thought about vampire-on-slayer action too much.
The Sopranos, Firefly, Arrested Development, Queer as Folk, Nip/Tuck, Six Feet Under, Weeds, Ugly Betty, The Tudors, and now Big Love. All mini-obsessions. (Especially Firefly. We own it, and I think we’ve watched each episode no less than five times. Mebbe more. Of all the moronic things that FOX has done, I say that canceling Firefly is Top o’ the List.)
My problem, now, is that I no longer have the attention span to watch movies. They’re too damn long. I need the bite-size portions of 45 minute-long episodes. I need instant gratification. I can’t wait a week to find out what happens next.
I also need new shows to devour, because I’m seriously running out. I tried to start Entourage, but I got half an hour through the first episode and saw that it was going to be a feminist’s nightmare, and I stopped. Someone recommended Lucky Louie, but I watched part of the first episode and the laugh track and script was so annoying that I had to shut that shizzle down. I’m at a loss. Surely there are more good shows on DVD?
Feed the addiction. Give me more TV on DVD.
stevo said,
August 19, 2007 at 9:09 pm
TV Series box-sets are my life. I too don’t have the attention span to watch an entire movie.
I would recommend Six Feet Under, the series finale being among one of the best episodes ever filmed for the small screen. The first three seasons of Battlestar Galactica are also available for consumption. I would like to take the plunge and purchase all nine seasons of the X Files, but would savor that taste once or twice a week.
You’ve seen Buffy, what about Angel? The first three seasons were far better than Buffy.
heathenly said,
August 19, 2007 at 9:23 pm
You totally didn’t read my list, where I name Six Feet Under as already consumed. BUS-TED!
I didn’t watch Angel. I heard there was far less hot vampire action.
heathenly said,
August 19, 2007 at 9:23 pm
Oh, and I started Battlestar Galactica, but stopped for reasons unknown. I should start that one up again…
davidrochester said,
August 20, 2007 at 5:44 am
I became addicted to “House, MD.” I also watched all of “Frasier” and wondered who had a webcam in my house. The last thing I got on DVD was the best of “The Electric Company” (yes, the children’s show) which fascinated me . . . even though I know how to read. The production values and the thought put into it is astonishing. As are the double entendres that (hopefully) slip past the kids.
Stevo said,
August 20, 2007 at 9:48 pm
I blame my “slip” on the time change between your locale and mine. And me being stupid.
I would really like WKRP to be released on DVD, but the music used on the show has raised copyright issues and caused delays.
bibliomom said,
August 21, 2007 at 3:49 am
Ghost Whisperer is my poison of choice followed by Little House on the Prairie. I suffer from the same loss of attention span. I also don’t enjoy watching a movie alone. So the only movies I watch are ones that I can watch with my daughters. I’d like to get Charmed on DVD.
handward said,
August 21, 2007 at 4:09 pm
My parents controlled my TV exposure as a child too. I now control my children’s TV exposure. I’ve noticed that instead of watching TV, they get ideas about kissing their friends. I suppose that’s better than getting ideas about blowing things up.
I’ve stopped watching Battlestar Galactica too. I know why.
the little fluffy cat said,
August 24, 2007 at 6:17 pm
Monk, baby girl. Monk.
AD fan said,
August 26, 2007 at 5:27 pm
If you like AD and Firefly try Wonderfalls, yet another quickly-killed by Fox masterpiece (13 episodes on DVD).
heathenly said,
August 26, 2007 at 7:02 pm
That’s at least the second time I’ve heard “Monk” and “Wonderfalls,” so I’ll be sure to get ‘em.