I doubt that the early pioneers who invented TV had any idea what an impact it would have. Children would be exposed to educational programs like Sesame Street; adults would partake of everything from wrestling matches to world class concerts. And we would learn how to cook, remodel our homes and decorate like Martha. The world would become familiar with “celebrities” like Snookie and Kim.
Most importantly, people recovering from surgery or an injury would have a way of filling the hours as they recover. Think about it, when you’re in the hospital or laid up at home, what do you do to entertain yourself? TV. And why not? It brings you a world of entertainment and keeps your mind, if not stimulated, certainly busy. What fun it is to discover programs you never would have watched before! You may even find a program that becomes your new “must see”—one that you want to watch every day. Or you can take a nostalgia trip and view programs you loved when you were a kid—“I Love Lucy” or “Bonanza”, for instance.
It’s even possible that you might start to look forward to being ill or injured so you can spend hours in front of a glowing TV screen, flipping through the channels until you find the perfect program.
I wonder what people did in times past to amuse themselves when they were too ill or in too much pain to actually give a damn? Maybe other people read to them as they wasted away—and for those who had to work to put food on the table—they probably went to work no matter what.
Personally, I am happy that we have the option of watching TV until cross-eyed when we are ill. First, what lulls you to sleep sooner than a boring TV program? And think about your significant other—he or she can leave you ensconced on the sofa or recliner with tissues, cough medicine, a cold drink, a phone and a sandwich in the fridge knowing that the TV will keep you company. How much easier it is to go to work, or out to lunch knowing that the TV is there “taking care” of the person who is ill.
Yes. We are lucky to have TV in our lives—to help us heal and to keep us company when we are ill. Thank God for TV!
Ms K, I loved this article because it is so true. I am retired now and I have discovered the wonderful world of daytime TV. I see shows that I remember from my childhood. My favorite channels are AMC, TCM, Discovery, and many others that offer good TV programing. Great article!
My sentiments exactly, especially after my recent two months in bed. I developed favorites that I looked forward to, stuff that now I am feeling better I don’t even think about watching. In fact I had forgotten all about how consumed I was with them until I just read your story. Thanks for your writing!
Thanks for reading my writing. I read an article years ago about a woman who was hospitalized to undergo months of treatment and she wrote about being consumed by TV–it just sort of happens.
Hope you are healing quickly and that you are not in as much pain as when I saw you that Sunday afternoon. You and Dan continue to be in our thoughts and prayers.
Melanie