My TV confessions

As a lapsed Catholic who hasn’t made a formal confession in some forty-five years, sometimes I feel the need to lay my sins bare. Blogosphere, serve as my virtual confessor, for I have committed some venial (and maybe mortal) television watching sins.

Fox News. I’ll start with my most shameful viewing act. During my morning cable news channel surfing I spend more time tuned to Fox News than CNN. My wife will notice and say (or scream), “Why are you watching that!”

Well, because Fox is energetic, youthful, and hip while CNN is lethargic, mature, and drab. Plus, in the graphics department Fox kicks CNN’s butt (I never get tired of watching that blue and gold capitol image rotate and change colors). Wolf Blitzer’s Situation Room looks old and tired compared to Shepard Smith’s G Block.

On the plus side, CNN has Carol Lin. This beautiful anchor can feed me the news anytime.

Meerkat Manor. I often think about the adage, “You only live life once; make every moment count,” as I’m sprawled on the couch, spending half an hour of my human existence watching an Animal Planet soap opera series about a family of meerkats—prairie dog-like critters who live in Africa amidst a bunch of cameras.

My wife is more of a fan than I am, but I got into following the trials and tribulations of the Whiskers family. Belatedly.

At first I “accidentally” erased all of the Meerkat Manor episodes that we had stored up for eventual watching, hoping that Laurel wouldn’t notice and I could use those digital video recorder hours for something truly life-enhancing.

Like, my much-beloved Reno 911. Check out the dry humor of Trudy making her sperm bank announcement. However, the show’s semi-improv style isn’t for everybody. Laurel would rather watch meerkats digging a burrow.

So You Think You Can Dance. This isn’t a new confession, because I’ve already admitted to my general infatuation with this terrific program, and my specific infatuation with Allison (Ivan too, but in a different way, especially since they’re no longer partners).

However, SYTYCD does take up a significant portion of my TV watching week (three hours), and I’ve heard people say that the show is overblown.

Indeed, the recently instituted format is irksome. Now that viewers decide, after watching the Wednesday night performances, which girl and which guy get booted each week, the Thursday night episode should last only about five minutes. Stretching the suspense to a full hour is, well, a stretch.

Thanks to my friend Randy at RBlog I was able to see a marvelous video of Heidi and Benji at the 2005 US Open Swing Dance Championships. Oh, yeah, they can dance. If Allison can’t win SYTYCD, either Heidi or Benji would be my worthy second choices.

Comments

[Rain]

I would have no problem with your watching Fox, even though it's totally biased coverage, because it doesn't appear to be corrupting your political stance... maybe. But do you realize you are giving them ratings? And they think you watch because you are one of them! shame shame shame. I gave them up for that reason. So now I watch very little cable news because you are right-- CNN has something very boring about their format. I guess when they lost Ted Turner, they lost their zip. Give MSNBC a try (trying to remember if they have any cuties but of course, it's not like I'd notice.)

[Brian]

Rain, we were a Nielsen ratings household a while back and I was careful not to watch Fox News during the week we keep track of our viewing habits.

Or, I lied to Nielsen. Can't remember which.

You're right: I haven't been corrupted by Fox News yet. I also listen to conservative talk radio and, so far, have managed to keep my head from exploding.

MSNBC is OK, but often seems like Fox lite to me.

Every cable news outlet relies on "cuties" to a large extent. Again, I'd say Fox gets the highest (or lowest) marks in this regard.

At least the Naked News channel is upfront, so to speak, about its appeal.
http://www.nakednews.com/

[Rain]

i must admit I'd watch more of fox news except we have the dish and they can check what we watch. I wouldn't watch cavuto or gibson, ugh but liked Shepherd Smith and some of the others. I just avoid it all now but it takes some willpower as it's more fun to watch than cnn which makes even the most exciting event seem boring.

[Roger]

I was in a mild shock to see Allison go. She is a fantastic dancer.

[Brian]

Roger, I was in a major shock to see Allison go. What a travesty. Naturally I voted for her Wednesday night. Now I'm feeling bad that I didn't fire up my redial button and keep on voting for as long as I could.

[Roger]

Brian, I know what you mean. Oh well, I still have the hots for Heidi. I hope she wins the finale.