Television is my subject this month. Cable TV had
been my way of life for many years and I never dreamed I could live without it.
When I moved to Georgia two years ago, I didn't
want to pay to watch TV. There were other things I wanted to do, which
seemed more valuable such as writing, reading, socializing. My brother who has
lived in the state for many years suggested a flatbox antenna. I had no idea
what he meant but he set me up with one and, miracle of miracles, it worked
perfectly.
But the catch was that the only shows I could get
were from the local stations or that was what I thought. But I soon discovered
MeTV (Memorable Entertainment Television), which I had seen previously in Texas,
and a channel that showed only movies from the past--nothing current. I got the
3 main network programs and thought that was all I needed. Unfortunately PBS was
the only local channel that didn't come in clearly and sometimes not at
all.
But then I discovered more channels
available showing "oldies but goodies". My first year here I watched the old
Hawaii Five-0 during lunch until a year later The Rockford Files replaced it.
That was all fine with me. Granted I can't keep up with the latest trends in
cable TV and there are some programs I truly miss but I do have other things to
do besides watching TV. There were other networks I got for free also such a the
CW, ION, Antenna, getTV. All of them showing reruns of both recent or
past popular shows and movies.
Recently 4 "new" networks surfaced--all showing
golden oldies from the past: Decades and COZI (both a combination of comedies
and dramas (some of the dramas are so ridiculous that they are hilarious), LAFF
(a combination of past sitcoms and movies--I'm hooked on Spin City right now.)
and BUZZR, which shows old game shows such as my favorite nuttiest show of
all The Match Game.
But do I watch them all? Good grief no! It's just
nice to know that they are there and I can find something entertaining in a free
moment especially if I wake up in the middle of the night and can't get back to
sleep, I can turn on one of the above (especially the game shows of the 1950s
and 60s), be entertained for a while until I feel sleepy again.
Works every
time.
8 comments:
Good for you, Pat! The prices we have to pay for cable TV are ridiculous. I bought one of those antennas too but it didn't work well where I live now. Every time I changed the station, I had to readjust the antenna. Not fun! Trust me, if and when I move again, I'm getting the antenna out and trying again!
Thanks for commenting, Patricia. The TV picture is just as good as cable, if not better, except for PBS. I have discovered if I readjust the antenna, I can get a clear PBS picture--most of the time. But it works perfectly for everything else.
Fun post, Pat! I watch TV in the evening, but the shows I watch are somewhat limited. There are too many on now that don't entertain me. Ah, well, it's all a matter of taste. Some of the old shows are still wonderful.
Marja McGraw
I must admit I watch many tV shows at night and when I'm preparing dinner. I usually DVR (tape) them. Right now I'm enjoying some series on Showtime. I do not get HBO. I enjoy watching old movies occasionally. Some hold up. Some don't. Just saw "The Barefoot Contessa" with Ava Gardener and loved it a second time. She was beautiful!!
Thanks, Marja. Yes, I agree that it's all a matter of taste and I'm more into comedy than anything else. Those old game shows are a hoot.
Marilyn, I watch most of my shows at night also. One of the old movies that I especially enjoyed was Houseboat with Cary Grant and Sophia Loren. Their dance scene was the sexiest dance ever! Thanks for dropping by.
I don't think I ever saw Houseboat. Must get it from my library.
I hope your library has it, Marilyn.
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