I Thought I'd Miss My Television More

Hours spent scrolling through channels all playing The Simpsons, Oprah, King of the Hill, American Idol, America's Next Top Model. Hours spent watching reruns of television shows I'd seen two, three, even four times (in the case of most Simpsons episodes) before. Hours spent not reading, not writing, not going for walks, not spending quality time with my husband or my friends. Oh, television, you ever-so-demanding mistress.

When we moved to New York, the television didn't come with us, and it wasn't a high priority item on the must-replace-or-I-will-die list (unlike the bed, say, or chairs.) We've been here almost three months now, and I've read more books than I can name, I've dedicated myself to writing, I've spent a great deal of time with my husband. (Still no word on the friends front, but eventually I imagine I'll make some. Hopefully.) Now, I'll be the first to admit I haven't quit TV cold turkey. One of the Internet perks in the USA is the existence of streaming video. I've learned I don't need to be at home, planted in front of my television, waiting with baited breath to hear what sarcastic witticisms Dr. House will spew before miraculously solving yet another mysterious illness. In fact, waiting until the next day (or even two or three days later! Heaven forfend!) to catch up with my television shows causes very little discomfort at all.

I was going to use this forum to comment about the Writers Guild of America strike, but honestly, I'm not sure I'm aware enough of both sides of the story. I am, however, aware enough to know that many, many of the individuals spouting off on the Internet about the strike ought to keep their mouths shut until they get caught up with all sides of the issue.

That said, it's important to note that unions still exist for a reason (antiquated or not) and an entire union doesn't choose to strike in order to cause harm and distress to others affected (in this case I mean the teamsters, actors, and assorted behind-the-scenes staff who are or will be out of a job if and when the stockpiled scripts dry up---not the person sitting at home jonesing for a new episode of their favourite sitcom)---a regular layperson spouting off about the greed of the ever-so-rich writers of Hollywood needs to...well, they need to stop, read some statistics about just how many members of the WGA are working at a given time, and just how much the median members of the WGA bring home in a year.

The WGA isn't striking to piss you off, random television viewer. They're striking because they feel let down and betrayed by the system they work for. Read up on it. Then come back and try to have a civilized conversation. Ranting, raving and frothing at the mouth about the wealthy Hollywood sons-of-bitches who are denying you your weekly Heroes fix isn't helpful, it isn't interesting and it isn't even accurate.

Until then? Read a book. I bet you'll find quite a few in your local library. Some of them are even as good as TV shows, no kidding! Go for a walk. Play Monopoly with your family. Take it from me--the world keeps on turning, even without weekly doses of Prison Break.