Are you a TV addict? Does it worry you? Do you wish you watched less TV? Do you get sucked into trashy shows, and if so, does that bother you?

It doesn't bother me because I think I'm poisoning my mind or anything. It only bothers me because I know I should be doing more productive things.

Like, uh, posting on this forum. Never mind.

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2001

Answers

Well, considering that I dropped a class that was interfering with Survivor and CSI, and intentionally don't take classes on Tueday nights... yeah... I suppose I do.

I come home, I turn on the TV. It's Pokemon! Then the Simpsons, then 3rd Rock, then the Simpsons, then Frasier, then Friends, twice!

But I don't really pay attention. I'll be online catching up on email, or I'll be doing overtime work, or I'll be cooking. I don't just sit down and fixate on the TV. That's reserved for Tuesdays, Thursdays, one hour on Friday (Nash!) and... I don't watch Sunday night TV anymore (I need to start taping it) because of Pub Quiz.

And I like PBS... everyone should watch it. I learned a lot about giant squid last night.

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2001

I'm with Mar - I listen to a lot of tv for background noise while I'm doing other things, like cooking, or online stuff, or talking to friends, etc.

I like having the noise to fill up an otherwise empty apartment. When I first moved into my new place, I didn't have a tv, and I was so bored and lonely I wanted to cry. But I didn't. I just ended up going to bed earlier and being a healthier person in general... Hmm...

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2001

No, I'm not.

My parents never let me watch much; I was encouraged to go outside and play, or to go in my room and make something. Their attitude was that you put the tv on to watch something specific, then turned it off when that was done. You'd think that would make me crave it, but it didn't.

The only show I currently remember to watch is Antiques Road Show, which I love. In recent times I've also gotten hooked on those paramedic and ER shows on Discovery and The Learning Channel. I also regularly watch that show about forensic detectives on Discovery and anything on those channels about tsunamis, earthquakes, etc.

I can't stand any TV dramas except Masterpiece Theater. They all seem too contrived, or I don't like the characters, or something. Plus I go to bed at 10:00 so that eliminates a lot. We used to watch ER but quit when it got to be more about the doctors and their romances than about weird cases.

I'm a baseball fan so I watch those games avidly. Most of the time the TV is tuned to some sports show that someone else in the household wants to see. Lately it's college basketball. I can tune it out with no trouble.

Anyway, I don't get sucked into TV. If I don't know what's going on in a show, I'm frustrated. I'm sort of glad because it means I have more time for other things (like going online.)

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2001

for a while, I felt that the most-wasted money I spent was the digital cable cost -- I could go a week without turning the TV on. But my new loveseat recliner makes it so comfy and tempting that I am watching more now; maybe Ken Burn's Jazz had something to do with it, too. This. Must. Stop. I need to be out dancing!

Most times I prefer to have a tv-sound radio on in the bedroom (where my computer is). lots of sitcoms are good as radio programs!

Anita of Anita's BOD and Anita's LOL

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2001

You know, I wasn't even counting the early evening TV, like the Simpsons and Friends in syndication. I use those as background noise, too, while I'm making dinner or working out or reading.

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2001

Do I watch too much TV? Oh God, yes.

It wouldn't be nearly so bad if I didn't have cable, but I do. I'm addicted.
Sundays belong to Fox. Then at 10:30 there's Strip Mall. At 11:00, the local PBS station airs 2 episodes of Red Dwarf.
During the week there's The Muppet Show, News Radio, and The Daily Show on Comedy Central.
On Mondays there's Junkyard Wars & Lexx.
Can't miss Buffy & Angel on Tuesdays. They're followed by Battlebots.
Wednesdays it's Star Trek Voyager, then South Park.
Thursdays mean Survivor & Sports Night.
Fridays bring Powerpuff Girls & The Secret Adventures of Jules Verne.
Finally, there's MST3K on Saturday mornings.

As you can tell, I need help.

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2001

Beth, I think you're my Neilsen Identical Twin. I used to watch more sitcoms, but now I can take them or leave them. If I'm home, I watch. However, Buffy, Survivor, and Temptation Island have permanent entries in my date book. I also love West Wing (try it, you'll love it, it's like Buffy without the fight scenes). And I'm only slightly ashamed to admit that I get most of my news from The Daily Show.

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2001

I used to, then I didn't, then I did again and now I don't. I'll watch Friends, Will and Grace, ER, Frasier or Just Shoot Me if I'm home and remember. The only shows I won't miss are OZ and The Soprano's but I'll tape them if I have something better to do. They only have 13 new episodes a year anyway so that's easy.

What I do do with TV that annoys me is I have it on all the time. It's white noise in our house. We have three TV's in our house and sometimes they are all on. My husband leaves the TV on all night, every night. If I turn it off, he wakes up and can't get back to sleep. I rarely think to turn on the radio or listen to a CD unless we have company. Then the TV is off. I wish I could break that habit.

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2001

I used to watch all the Must see TV shows, but pretty much gave up after Seinfeld went off the air. Now after a random encounter, I find myself in the middle of a terrible addiction. I am so ashamed to admit this but I find myself totally adicted to .... WCW Professional Wrestling. Oh god, I can not believe that after years of no TV I am unable to resist the lure of the men in tights. I am so ashamed, I am an ivy educated professional woman. I never watch sports of any kind. I just love the love the battle of good vs evil and the inevitable double cross. Also, considering the size of these guys, I cannot believe how graceful they can be. I am hoping that this is a phase and I'll get over this shameful obsession and return to the good old days of reading and socializing.

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2001

Well, I often do homework of some kind during TV-watching, though some shows are more condusive to doing homework during than others. These days I'm pretty much sticking to Buffy/Angel, Temptation and Survivor and that's it. I don't care if I watch trash so long as I'm amused: trash that's not funny is pointless.

My TV watching doesn't really worry me (after all, my parents think there's something hugely wrong if the TV isn't turned on upon entering the house), but I know that I'm much more reluctant to stay at school late working on my sewing Tuesday-Thursday. (Then again, I've already had a long day of school/work before that.)

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2001

Sunday night: 60 Minutes (a much older habit than Futurama or King of the Hill, each of which I watched when, in turn, it occurred between) Simpsons and the X-Files. Now the in-between show is Malcolm in the Middle, and I love that too. Tuesday: Freaks and Geeks reruns on Fox Family, if I remember, because I missed it in real time last year, and That '70s Show on Fox (the only show from the interSimpsons- XFiles slot to surive a time change--Malcom probably will too). Wednesday: That '70s Show again. I never remember which night is new and which the rerun.

(I realized from the start that Eric acts and speaks very much like my bestfriendplus Pat, and looks kind of like Harold from Harold and Maude, so I immediately loved Eric. Then I realized that skid Hyde has the same bad caucasian 'fro, tinted aviator glasses, and Led Zeppelin t-shirts that my husband had as teenager, and the same snarky sense of humor he has always had, then and now, and luckily Rich sees that too, and so we both love Hyde. And then, last night, for the first time, Fez wore his hair ninja style, in a mullet, and loathe as I am to admit it, I've slept with Fez too, proxied by my early college boyfriend Nick. I have had five major boyfriends. If Kelso, Red, or Bob ever starts acting like Paul or Scott, I am going to freak.) Thursday: ER. Without fail. Despite Rich and the rest of the world griping about how much it sucks. Otherwise, ABC national news, CNN, more CNN, and have I mentioned CNN? History, Discovery, or the like for background. I have a hard time being in a room with a set that's off, that black blank eye. That's why I read on the rug under the dining table, the only non- bed, non tv'd couch, space in the house. Not having a set in the main living space has reduced how much television we watch, how much it's on, and keeping it off the main floor was deliberate on our part. But if either of us is in the family room, or my study that adjoins the family room, the tv's on. We might say we're surfing or reading, but the tv's on, and that counts.

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2001

i'm really bad about tv in the winter when it is too damn dark and cold to venture back outside again once i get home from work... i am currently watching:

monday-naked chef, queer as folk tuesday-da vinci's inquest (the best show on tv-this one is sacred) wednesday-ed, temptation island, once & again as well as tape law & order! (bad day for me) thursday-friends, will & grace friday-gilmore girls, law & order SVU, sex & the city saturday-old episodes of da vinci's inquest on showtime (sacred) sunday-nothing special, but usually have the tv on while doing whatever

these shows are *in addition to* young & restless, bold & beautiful, oprah, blind date, access hollywood, entertainment tonight and lots of TLC, A&E, CNBC and whatever else happens to be on while i am reading, playing with the dogs, making dinner, doing laundry, etc immediately after work and throughout the weekend

i am sad and i know it

(in my own defense the only shows that i do watch religiously in the nicer weather are da vinci's inquest and sex & the city, so it's *really* not as bad as it looks! honest!!)

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2001

I have the TV on all day as background noise. NBC until noon (Today Show, Regis, Later Today, People's Court), then A&E for Night Court, Talk Radio, Law & Order, Northern Exposure, and LA Law, then to CBC for Oprah, local news, CBS news, Hollywood Squares, Jeopardy, Wheel.

During all that I'm working (medical transcription), cleaning, cooking, etc., etc.

Night time depends on the show--again a lot of it is background. Hooked on West Wing, ER, Survivor and watch, but am not hooked on a lot of sitcomes, like Frasier, Friends, Will & Grace, etc.

Watch 60 Minutes on Sunday and my guilty pleasure is Touched by an Angel, though my husband and I do at least sit around asking each other "why in the WORLD do we keep watching this show???"

Watch too much TV? Me?

BTW, someone mentioned The Muppet Show. Is that still being rerun? I couldn't find a listing for it. I LOVED that show.

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2001

> Now after a random encounter, I find myself in the middle of a > terrible addiction. I am so ashamed to admit this but I find > myself totally adicted to .... WCW Professional Wrestling.

You know, this IS embarrassing, LaLaLoser, but not for the reason you think.

Everyone knows WWF is where it's at. (Buff Bagwell -- puh- leeze.)

Sei

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2001

I don't know if your cable system carries Odyssey, but that's who has The Muppet Show. It airs weeknights at 5:30 (at least on the Left Coast).
I'm love seeing these shows again, especially now that I know who some of the guest stars are. (Of course, I still have no idea what Phyllis George has done.)

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2001

Is anyone out there *my* "Nielson Twin?"

I watch entirely too much television. It's really pathetic when I think about how much tv we watch or tape and then watch later in the week.

Sunday: The X-Files and The Practice. Monday: Boston Public and Ally. Tuesday: Frasier and Dark Angel <-- don't know why but i loooove this Wednesday: Ed, West Wing, Star Trek Voyager Thursday: Friends, Survivor, Will & Grace, and ER Friday: Nothing! Say it isn't so! Saturday: The District

-- Anonymous, February 08, 2001

Sei

You quit dissing Buff Daddy or I will give you the Smackdown!

-- Anonymous, February 09, 2001

It's on all the time during figure skating championships and political transitions.

Otherwise, I just follow these sequential shows: Buffy, Sopranos, West Wing. And I watch a cop show or two every week, but the episodes are standalone so I don't care if I miss one, and I can often justify them as language practice.

And the news sometimes, and movies and documentaries sometimes. That's it.

-- Anonymous, February 09, 2001

I am not as bad not that I am working a part-time night job. However, my VCR gets a workout.

My list of shows that I must see to feel complete.

Wed - Dawson's Creek, Temptation Island, Felicity (we are on a break right now, me and Felicity, but I will still be there for her when she comes back to me) Thurs - Friends and Will and Grace (have to see Will & Grace. no. exceptions.)

not too bad, right? I also watch NYPD Blue and Law & Order, I'm just not a freak about them.

-- Anonymous, February 09, 2001

Do I sound like a shmuck for suggesting that some tv is "good" tv? Aren't we learning a few good things from the trash?

Okay, yes, I know - but still, that's how I justify my desires...Sunday it's the "Practice," which has really taught me a lot about law (okay, flush THAT theory down the toilet), then Mondays mean it's "King of Queens" time (no value to that show other than laughing at my husband for being exactly like the main character!), Tuesdays are for the "Mole" (I must be learning something there but am void of an answer at the moment), Wednesdays are a washout with "Friends," "Gilmore Girls" and "Survivor" - the VCR gets a good workout at 8 p.m.

Not to mention "Will and Grace" and "ER" on Thursday nights. I think I do most of my tv watching on week nights - this makes me feel a little better. I think. But then there's the hockey games my husband and I watch, mostly on the weekends.

My name is Elizabeth and I'm a teleholic.

-- Anonymous, February 09, 2001

I screwed up that last answer if anyone is wondering where the heck "Survivor" is running on WEdnesday nights. :)

I meant Thursdays. And don't get me started on WEdnesdays with "West Wing" and "Ed" and stuff...

Well, there I go again.

-- Anonymous, February 09, 2001

I watch less and less television anymore. We used to have a short list of shows that we taped religiously, but as the shows got cancelled or we lost interest, the list got shorter and shorter. This fall we were down to taping just The X-Files, and since we still had eight to ten episodes we hadn't yet watched from last year's season ... Well, since we still hadn't watched any of the remaining episodes from last season by mid December, I finally quit taping that show, too. The last time I had the tv on was ... last Tuesday, to watch Oprah (& Dr. Phil) talk about weight. I don't know if either of those two should be talking about weight, but I kept it on while I was dusting.

Sometimes this makes me feel virtuous. Sometimes this makes me feel like a snob. Sometimes this makes me feel old fashioned. All I know is that I'm getting a LOT more reading done. We're getting more music made. I'm writing more letters. And all of those things mean a lot more to me than any show on tv right now.

Of course, once baseball season starts, I'm in front of the set for every televised Detroit Tigers game. So I dare not cast aspersions on other people and their watching habits, because in a month or two, I'll be right there with you, but I'll be tuned to FoxSportsNet.

-- Anonymous, February 09, 2001

I don't watch much TV anymore. The only thing I really watch is Friends and Will & Grace. I watch Who Wants to be a Millionaire because it's a brain challenge with some of the questions. Other than that, all my husband and I ever watch are news shows like Dateline, 20/20, mysteries on PBS, HGTV and Jerry Springer.

-- Anonymous, February 09, 2001

Yes, but after reading the postings and Beth's column, I don't feel as bad about it. I noticed someone mentioned Sports Night on Thursdays, and I really must know if that is the same Sports Night ABC cancelled last year. It was absolutely the best show on television, until West Wing came a long (another Aaron Sorkin creation). Does anyone else think Friends has gotten better lately? Or that Ed and That's Life are pretty solid shows? murphy

-- Anonymous, February 10, 2001

I'm not as bad as I used to be but I still have a little problem with PBS. You see, I love it. I love Antiques Roadshow and Nova and Frontline and National Geographic and all of that. I've broken my addiction (for the most part) to prime-time sitcoms but there are still a few I can't miss.. Monday: Football, when in season. I miss football. Go Saints!!!! I don't know what to watch when it's not football season. Tuesday: That 70's show. Cracks me up. Wednesday: Drew Carey Thursday: My worst night. Friends, then I cook, then Will & Grace, then I eat, then ER. Now that I'm in Seattle ER doesn't come on until 10. I have a feeling when I get a job I'm not going to be too alert on Fridays. Friday-Sun: PBS, Discovery, IFC.

Of course, now that we had the cable modem hooked up two days ago I've been posting like a maniac since pages don't take eons to load. So I might just become addicted to this.

-- Anonymous, February 11, 2001

> You quit dissing Buff Daddy or I will give you the Smackdown!

Yo, LaLaLoser...

Well, you see? You prove my point. You can only give someone the "smackdown" if you're watching WWF. ^_^ The glory days of WCW are long, long gone, my friend.

Sei

-- Anonymous, February 11, 2001

murphybrown-

The Sports Night I mentioned is the one that ABC cancelled. Unfortunately, it's not new episodes. Comedy Central airs two episodes of Sports Night every Thursday at 10 (Pacific). And while I'm disappointed that there aren't any new episodes, I was thrilled to find out that the old ones would be airing again because I only discovered the show a couple of months before it was cancelled, and so they're almost all new to me.

-- Anonymous, February 12, 2001

I am so horrible with the television. I even had to make a rule, that I can never turn it on in the morning because I will get sucked in - and end up at work at least an hour late.

I tried turning off the extra cable and just going with basic- basic... I ended watching horrible network tv.

I'm working my way to radio... at least I can do something else while it's on. With television, I might as well be dead.

-- Anonymous, February 12, 2001

A big fat "YES" to that one. It's not that I have entire nights reserved for TV (well, maybe just Friends, Will & Grace, and ER on Thursdays); rather, I have an internal TV listing of 3 or 4 hours of TV a day that I COULD watch. That way, if I am bored or unoccupied, there is "something to do." Friends reruns are on from 6-7, Frasier is on at 9 and at 10:30, Martha Stewart (god help me, I'm oddly interested in her show) is on weekdays at 9 am, The Simpsons is on from 5-6, Popular is on Fridays at 8... If I'm not doing anything more urgent or compelling during those times, I'm happy to plop down and watch reruns. Dear lord, I can't believe I just typed that sentence. Never mind that if I replaced just my Friends habit with reading time, I could finish Mann's The Magic Mountain in a week or so. Oh no. I'm too busy watching Rachel ruin Ross's wedding for the fourth time or so. Jeeziz. I'm pathetic.

-- Anonymous, February 14, 2001

Since I work 2nd shift, I rarely get to watch "Friends" etc, which are my favorites. I saw the outtakes that were on tonight....they are even funnier than the actual show. My boyfriend, who pretends to hate them, was coughing up a lung laughing. So, to answer the question, I watch too much bad daytime TV before I go to work...."90210" reruns(twice on FX)then "AMC" after I get showered. Yikes, I'm ashamed.

-- Anonymous, February 15, 2001