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Wednesday, March 28, 2007 4:07 PM

I Love TV

By Kathleen

And I'm not afraid to admit it. I do try to limit the amount of shows I watch, because honestly I could watch anything. Casey, my husband, helps with that a lot. He was never a big TV watcher -- he was one of those kids who was only allowed a certain amount of hours of TV a week. (I don’t know how I feel about that to be honest. I don’t want my kids glued to the TV, but I think putting such firm restrictions on them isn’t helpful either. And I can’t believe this couple didn’t watch TV for a year.) I digress.

But he loves a little bit of TV too. And we do try to decide together which shows we’re going to waste our time with so at least we’re watching together. Here’s our basic list:
- 24
- American Idol (though he’d kill me if he knew I admitted this)
- Friday Night Lights (love love it)
- The Office
- 30 Rock
- Anything HBO: Sopranos, Entourage, etc.

But then I have my guilty pleasures that he won’t watch. I have to find time to squeeze them in: like tonight cause Casey is out of town for work!
- Grey’s Anatomy
- America’s Next Top Model
- Top Design (though he will watch Project Runway)
- Ugly Betty

And he has his:
- The Mets -- he records every game, even spring training ones, but watches them while I sleep.
- Nature Shows – he’s a biology teacher and is obsessed with Discovery channel. Have you guys seen the new Planet Earth miniseries? It’s incredible.

But I do think that I am lucky that we can compromise on TV. I would hate to be watching different programs in separate rooms, it seems so lonely (I like to talk through episodes). What do you guys watch together? Apart? Has TV affected your relationship at all?

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Comments

re: I Love TV

We are pretty much in the same boat as you...expect I can rarely get him to watch any of my shows with me.  He will occasionally watch Grey's Anatomy and Desperate Housewives.  DH is not a big TV person either, but when he does he prefers to "learn something, or get something out of it;" so he watches Discovery Channel, Military Channel, Science Channel, etc.  I call him my nerd, but I love it!  While I prefer shows like the above mentioned, CSI, Gilmore Girls, Two and a Half Men, and the like.  It has caused stress at times, but he's a firefighter and is gone every 3rd day for 24 hours so he's not around for all the t.v. I watch.  Thank goodness, cuz he'd probably freak out!  Long story short - yes, it affects as well.  We will sometimes watch different t.v.s or he'll just sit on the computer while I watch my show.  I'm learning to accept I have to talk to my friends about the episode the next day, or with DH afterwards (sometimes I can get him to listen about it), because I, too, like to talk through/about the show.  Good luck and you guys will figure it out!

Posted by Sabrina&Cody    Wednesday, March 28, 2007 11:05 AM


re: I Love TV

Well, we like to watch some things together, but then there are some things that my DH just will not watch.  For example, he refuses to watch American Idol (and all other reality tv shows) with me and that is more than okay with me because I prefer to watch them without his snide comments anyway!  We do watch 24, Criminal Minds, or CSI together.  Those shows have something for everyone I guess.  Also, there are sometimes when I love to watch sports with him and then sometimes (like right now) when enough is enough!  Is March Madness almost over?!?!  We live in NC so people around here live for basketball, but I prefer football!  

During the times that we don't want to watch the same thing he goes in another room and leaves me in the living room.  However, he is really sweet and will come check on me during time outs or commercials and give me a kiss or sit with me and talk for a few minutes.  As long as we don't do it all the time I think it is fine.  We also try to sit down to dinner every night without tv and talk.

Posted by jessica1080    Wednesday, March 28, 2007 12:46 PM


re: I Love TV

We are the opposite. He can watch anything. He loves the histroy channel, speed TV, discovery  channel... Stuff that bores me after about 5 mins. But, I'll compromise and bring my laptop into the family room so we can be close. There are shows we make a point to watch together-America's next top model, Ugly Betty, Grey's Anatomy, and Great Hotels.  Sometimes I think it gets in the way of us doing things though, and that is where it bothers me. We are working on it....:)

Posted by ColliBeth    Wednesday, March 28, 2007 2:16 PM


re: I Love TV

We both enjoy tv, but when SU is on that is what dominates (although we missed part of a game to watch Friday Night Lights).  I have gotten DH to love Scrubs in syndication, and it's a nice relaxing time for us.  We know if we're home at 7pm we have an hour every night that we can just laugh our butts off.  And we quote it all the time.  I don't know if I could've been with him if he couldn't appreciate this one show.

Posted by SUwife    Wednesday, March 28, 2007 8:08 PM


re: I Love TV

My husband and I havent had a TV for over a year now and still going strong.  I love it.  We get to hang out more and find other ways to chill.  He does watch soccer but for that he goes to a sports bar, sometimes we go together and its really great fun.  Other times we make it a night out with friends.  

Anyway, I also totally agree with ristricting the number of hours in front of a TV for kids.  Instead of sitting in front of a box with no human contact, I prefer to do things with them.  Additionally, you never know what they will be exposed to that you may not approve.  Also I believe its a million times better for them to be outside, play, participate in sports. TV is way overrated.

Posted by Vanya    Thursday, March 29, 2007 7:54 AM


TV is the bane of our existance!

Okay, well not really, but it might as well be.  As a child my time in front of the TV was never limited... I just didn't really care for it as much.  My siblings and I were always playing (in the yard, in the living room, rolling down the stairs, etc).  My husband on the other hand really LIVES in front of the television and computer.  He even bought another flat screen monitor that matched the one he had so he can watch tv and work on the computer at the same time -- obviously where he spends the most time.

My DH works really hard and has multiple jobs (that entreprenurial spirit will get him every time) so I really can't knock him because when he is on the computer he is working.  But the problem comes when it is time to go to bed.

I am a BIG believer of no tv in the bedroom.  Bedroom is a relaxing sanctuary.  He on the other hand is a BIG believer of the oposite -- so we have a huge flat screen on the wall where my mirror was.  I get up very early and can NOT fall asleep with the tv on (lights and sounds and AHH!!!)  He likes to relax in front of the tv before he goes to bed.  We have SIX other televisions in the house and of course that is the ONLY one he can watch.

The argument goes on EVERY night (no exaggeration).  So yes, I have come to hate the television.  But I feel, rightly so. :)

Posted by katie102006    Thursday, March 29, 2007 8:16 AM


re: I Love TV

I have enjoyed the past couple of months TV-free. There are some things I like to watch (or have on is a more accurate description as I usually do some chores at the same time) but I can't say that I miss them at all. There have been some important benefits from going without TV. I find that I am much more informed about current events as I read a variety of news online vs. watching what is dished out on the tube. I have more time in general. My everyday life feels more peaceful and less cluttered with noise and advertisments. I am able to focus on tasks better and accomplish more everyday while having time to relax. We'll get one tv for our house eventually but it will defintely not be in the bedroom. The days of TV on during dinner will vanish as well, I suspect.

Posted by mr+ms    Thursday, March 29, 2007 8:38 AM


re: I Love TV

We aren't big TV people so we have only a few shows that we watch together:

- 24

- Prison Break

- Ugly Betty (he won't admit to that though haha)

Sometimes we watch Desperate Housewives and American Idol if there is nothing else to do.  He used to watch House but we have gotten away from that.  I tape two soap operas that I squeeze into my lunch hour that Nate will NOT watch LOL!  All My Children and General Hospital.

Posted by Beka&Nate    Thursday, March 29, 2007 8:41 AM


re: I Love TV

DVR is the best invention ever!  Any shows we both don't want to watch, we record and watch individually later.  He records all the History Channel shows and Modern Marvels, and I record Dancing with the Stars and Lost.  We do watch Grey's Anatomy together.  He pretends he hates that show, but he really loves the witty dialogue.  I don't like Survivor but I watch it with him.  We both enjoy How I Met Your Mother (believe me girls, your DH will watch this show because they can all relate to Barney) and Scrubs.  Now, The L Word, my DH LOVES that show.  What's not to like, there are girls making out every episode.  I enjoy the story line, he enjoys the naked girls, it's the best of both worlds and we have a show we love together.

Posted by edmo    Thursday, March 29, 2007 9:51 AM


re: I Love TV

Well honestly ... my DH and I have never had TV. Most TV shows wouldn't interest us at all. I grew up without TV (except to watch the Olympics or figure skating competitions or the news when there was a big local storm) . He is a big video/computer game player.  We actually get our together time playing one of the big Multi-Player Online games (ie: Final Fantady or World of Warcraft). Most of his friends also play and aren't very good about visiting (or can't visit) so the games are his main social connection. But similar to the TV thing we do argue occasionally ... I can't spend quite as long unbroken stretches in the game as he does so I'll take breaks to read or do chores or try to pry him away from the computer for a short trip outside the house (even groceries count!).

Posted by selahrm    Wednesday, April 11, 2007 3:57 PM


re: I Love TV

Oh forgot to say ... when there is a TV show we want to watch we wait til its out on DVD. We have Angel and CSI right now.

Posted by selahrm    Wednesday, April 11, 2007 4:01 PM


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