Don't Change That Channel

I enjoy many things. I love to read, exercise, food, friends, family, wine, etc. However, if you know me well, you know that I have always been a big fan of television. I got my first TV when I was 10 years old. This has always been my favorite TV set because it had a VCR in it. When I was a teenager I could set the timer to record a show during the day, and I would come home at night and watch it. This TV still worked up until I was moving from Auburn to Montgomery. As I was moving the TV, the part that the cable cord screws into snapped off. I had a slight breakdown at the time. The VCR still works, and a repair man said the other part could be fixed. I am working on getting it fixed this week.

My favorite TV

I think my obsession with TV started when I was young. Besides cartoons, some of the first TV shows I remember watching were the classics on Nick-at-Nite. This is when Nick-at-Nite showed Dick Van Dyke, The Donna Reed Show, Mr. Ed, Bewitched, I Dream of Jeannie, Get Smart, Flipper, Mork and Mindy, and I Love Lucy. Other Nick-at-Nite television that I liked was Dragnet, The Odd Couple, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Partridge Family, The Bob Newhart Show, Welcome Back Kotter, Happy Days, Laverne and Shirley, The Many Loves of Doby Gillis and I could go on.

Eventually some of these shows stopped airing, and I found new favorites. When I was elementary school age, I watched Saved By the Bell, The Brady Bunch, Little House on the Praire, Gilligan's Island, Happy Days, Growing Pains, The Flintstones, Popeye, Are you Afraid of the Dark?, The Wonder Years, Matlock, Who's The Boss?, Three's Company, The Jetsons, The Cosby Show, and Scooby Doo.

Once I got into high school I began watching another variety of shows. I watched One Tree Hill, Smallville, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Felicity, Dawson's Creek, 7th Heaven, Charmed, Popular, Gilmore Girls, Everwood, and The Bachelor. I did not start watching FRIENDS until the final season, but I will discuss this in a minute.

While I was in college I tried not to pick up new shows. I was pretty succsessful with this my first year. However, since I would be home during some parts of the day, I would just watch re-runs of some shows I have already mentioned. Eventually I gave in and began watching new TV programs. I started watching Grey's Anatomy, Desparte Housewives, American Idol, The Sapranos, ER (re-runs and new), The Today Show, 24, and Boston Legal.

When I say I watched all of these shows, I don't mean I just saw an episode and changed the channel. I watched the Nick-at-Nite shows and the shows in elementary school until they stopped airing (I still watch some re-runs today). Now, all of the other shows mentioned are a different story. I watched all of the other shows, give or take a few, from the beginning to the final seasons. This doesn't mean I sat in front of the television and never moved. I would sometimes watch re-runs to catch up on the show. I am still watching re-runs of Gilmore Girls and Charmed to get the full story. I have also seen every ER episode except the final season, but don't worry, I will watch it very soon. I also don't watch The Today Show anymore. I know some of the shows I have loved may be weird or not to your liking. I think the main reason for my addiction is because once I see an episode or two it is hard to not watch anymore. It is like reading a book. I can't just read half of it and stop. I have to see how the story ends.

My current TV schedule consist of Grey's Anatomy, Desparte Housewives, One Tree Hill, American Idol, Charmed, The Food Network, Fox and Friends, The O'Reily Factor, Gilmore Girls, Mad Men, Everybody Loves Raymond, Friends, and sometimes I let Nick choose the show (but this is rare). I also enjoyed the series of John Adams.

Now I have discussed all of the shows I have been addicted to watching. I haven't mentioned the TV series that I own. I own every episode of FRIENDS, I Love Lucy, and The Wonder Years. I also have the final episode of Dawson's Creek on VHS (recorded from my special TV). My parents also have The Dick Van Dyke Show and some of the Donna Reed Show on VHS.

If you are to now ask me, what is your favorite of all of these shows, my response would be FRIENDS. Friends is one show that I watch over and over again, and I still find it funny and entertaining everytime I see an episode. I watch one of my DVDs on a daily basis. Most of the time it is before going to bed, but sometimes it is fun just to have on in the background while cleaning or cooking or if nothing else is on. Nick and I have seen every episode more than once. We qote this show often. So if you need a TV suggestion, "I'll be there for you."

To view FRIENDS clip click here.