June 10, 2008
Couch Potato
I love TV. . . I mean I really LOVE TV. From the moment I could watch TV, I have been addicted to it. As a child, there weren’t near the choices my kids have now (we were just discussing this over the weekend–no Disney Channel, no Nick). You only got to see cartoons on Saturday or the occasional Disney movie on Sunday nights. During the week the only kids programming was PBS–and I sat there for all three or fours hours it was offered, from Sesame Street, Electric Co., 3, 2, 1 Contact to the Spanish show that came on at the end–I watched it every day–didn’t understand a word of the Spanish show, but I was ever faithful!
Eventually, I graduated to Black and White 60’s reruns. I could tell you about any and every episode of Andy Griffith, I Love Lucy or Beverly Hillbillies. And let me tell you how devistated I was to learn Ernie from My Three sons was not only way older than me, but way, WAY older–and bald. 
My watching habits have changed–and increased. I love have soooo many channels now. Some Saturdays, I will veg in my room and hoard the TV.
The other night, I was watching a cheesy movie at 1 A.M. and kept thinking, “This is a great story line.” Yes, it was cheesy, but some was because it WAS 1 am and my mind was a tad on the mooshy side and some was there were ways they could have gone to give it a little extra . . . edge. My mind warped ahead how it would make a good book and how to twist it to make it more interesting. I always try to come up with the “internal thought” running through their head. Something a TV watcher is without that a reader benefits from. (but at the same time a TV watcher get the mood music so it’s a trade off)
I realized I actually do that with a lot of my TV watching now. Everything is food for the grist! It doesn’t matter if it is a topic on The View or a CSI episode, anything can be worked into a story. So really, my watching TV now is . . . RESEARCH! 
My kids . . . yeah, they proabbly watch too much TV, but I have one or two budding writers, so really, I am just helping them in their training–That’s my story and I’m sticking to it!
(Don’t even get me started about actors who say, “Oh, I don’t really watch TV.” WTF! 
. . . Whatevah)
So really, my watching TV now is . . . RESEARCH!
I love when i get a idea from something I’ve read or watched. Which is why some of the crap on tv is doubly sucky. It gives on inspiration at all.
The sucky ones can be useful some times I think. Usually when I am oh so boared, I will tear it apart and figure out why it was bad, why they’d put it on being so bad and how to make it better–I am bored a lot so my brain is always churning!
Well, I’m no actor, lol, but with awkward work hours, I don’t get to watch a lot of tv. But certainly absorbed enough when I was younger. And it certainly can inspire story ideas, give insight into what works or doesn’t and why.
Verra nice validation, Dennie.
>>“Oh, I don’t really watch TV.”
That’s like writers saying, “I never read.” And I know writers who don’t.
I really haven’t been watching much TV lately. There’s simply nothing on that interests me. I mostly watch DVDs from Netflix, and the variety there is outstanding. I’ve gotten a number of ideas just by watching foreign films.
I really hate summer TV. The only things worth watching are Army Wives (which premiered Sunday and was OMG! and
good) and The Closer (which premiers this weekend I think.) I do love both of those!
Thank you Raine–I try where I can… LOL!
I tried to read as much as I ca, it comes in fitd and spurts though… but I can’t imagine not reading at all, my brain would shrivel up (more than normal)
I have seen a few forgien films… would actually like to see more but the stupid DVD player is on the frizt (Yeah, I could use the kiddos, but that’s a big ole pain!)
Summer TV IS crappy! BUT I *heart* So You Think You Can Dance and it just started back up