A number of things have got me thinking about television lately...
First was Suz's thread in Watercooler.
And then I had to sign up for service at my new place. I called the provider and tried to sign up for their tv/internet/telephone package. The sales rep asked me what was most important to me in my television package.
"Low price" I answered.
She laughed. "No, no, no..." she said. "I mean, like, how many HD stations are you looking for?"
"None" I answered.
The rep then proceeded to explain that my HD television would work best with HD programming.
"Don't have one" I said.
Then she explained that she could save me money by helping me to choose a plan that would eliminate the all the fees I was paying to have television in every room. A volume discount, if you will. So, how many televisions did I need to hook up to the service?
"Two" I said "The living room and the master bedroom."
"That's it? Really? Are you sure?" she asked...evidently not quite understanding my answer.
Then she went on to explain that I really should sign up for more than the basic package because I was sure to miss the "Do It Yourself" channel and my husband would want his sports package and what about the children?
And that's when it occurred to me that Americans have really lost our sense of priority when it comes to television entertainment. I admit, I usually watch the television because it is ON - not because I have specifically chosen to watch a particular program. I turn it on FIRST, and then I choose a program.
No matter how many channels you have, the bulk of them are nothing but garbage that you would never pay to watch (and yet, you are paying...)
And I cannot escape the simple fact that when I watch a 'reality show'--I am watching other people live their lives while I do nothing with my own except sit on my sofa and eat.
I am thinking of cancelling my order for television....
So how about you? Who is the boss of your life? You? or the television?
First was Suz's thread in Watercooler.
And then I had to sign up for service at my new place. I called the provider and tried to sign up for their tv/internet/telephone package. The sales rep asked me what was most important to me in my television package.
"Low price" I answered.
She laughed. "No, no, no..." she said. "I mean, like, how many HD stations are you looking for?"
"None" I answered.
The rep then proceeded to explain that my HD television would work best with HD programming.
"Don't have one" I said.
Then she explained that she could save me money by helping me to choose a plan that would eliminate the all the fees I was paying to have television in every room. A volume discount, if you will. So, how many televisions did I need to hook up to the service?
"Two" I said "The living room and the master bedroom."
"That's it? Really? Are you sure?" she asked...evidently not quite understanding my answer.
Then she went on to explain that I really should sign up for more than the basic package because I was sure to miss the "Do It Yourself" channel and my husband would want his sports package and what about the children?
And that's when it occurred to me that Americans have really lost our sense of priority when it comes to television entertainment. I admit, I usually watch the television because it is ON - not because I have specifically chosen to watch a particular program. I turn it on FIRST, and then I choose a program.
No matter how many channels you have, the bulk of them are nothing but garbage that you would never pay to watch (and yet, you are paying...)
And I cannot escape the simple fact that when I watch a 'reality show'--I am watching other people live their lives while I do nothing with my own except sit on my sofa and eat.
I am thinking of cancelling my order for television....
So how about you? Who is the boss of your life? You? or the television?