Does this mean I have to watch television?

One of the things you will probably discover, as this journey continues, is just how eccentric I am.  I am fine with that.  I’ve reached the age where rather than try to hide my eccentricities, I am starting to revel in them.  In trying to decide what to write about next, I thought I might have to try to tap into popular culture a little more.  The price may be too heavy.

See, I don’t really watch television.

I also do not understand “Reality TV.”  From what I can tell, most of the people on these shows are desperate for fame at any price–even if they don’t have any talent to earn it.  Why would anyone invite Jon and Kate, much less eight,  into their homes?   “Desperate Real Life Housewives” in any city should get a life and a job– not a TV Show.

A few years ago people at work did a take off on “Survivor”.  I didn’t understand it at all as I had no clue what “Survivor” was all about.  I went to the “American Idol” concert this year with my partner and had never seen the show.

To be honest, I do watch some television.  Usually I watch shows I hear good things about from people’s whose opinions I respect once the shows are on DVD.  Therefore,  I’m usually a season or two behind.  That’s fine.  I’ll trade off timeliness for no commercials any day.

I do try to watch “Glee” and “True Blood” real time.  They are too good to wait.  I discovered “Slings and Arrows” on DVD and watched whole seasons over a couple of weekends.  I love “Mad Men” and, yes I will admit it, “Gossip Girl”, but I have to watch them on DVD so I can see several episodes at a time.

I used to be a news junkie, until I got so disgusted with how the Democrats have  failed to use our majority to drive change and the Republicans all became self parodies.  I want to hear an informed discussion, not people trying to talk over each other presenting falsified facts that no one bothers to challenge or disprove.  Now I just get mad, so I avoid my friends Rachel and Keith most of the time also.  I still love Jon Stewart and think he may be the last person around who thinks like I do, but I can’t stay up late enough for the “Daily Show”.  And all this is getting too painful to treat as comedy.

When it comes to entertainment, to quote Tennessee Williams vastly out of context, “I don’t want realism, I want magic”.

“Glee”, “True Blood”, “Mad Men” and even “Gossip Girl” each have their own kind of magic.  Some stronger than others.  I’ll keep looking for other shows like these …You can have the “reality” series and I’ll keep looking for more magic– of any kind.