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We have a regular TV viewing schedule in my house. Or, rather, we HAD a regular viewing schedule. Then the writer’s strike came and wiped that out. It was only an hour or two per day, but that hour or two sometimes seemed to be what we all were most excited about.

Sundays = Masterpiece Theater

Mondays = 24

Tuesdays = American Idol + House

Wednesdays = American Idol + LOST

Well, during the writer’s strike, we were LOST. What would we do without our shows? New HOUSE episodes are still not forthcoming despite the three teaser episodes they had a few weeks ago. And waiting from June to January for the next season of 24 was bad enough but not even having a next season THIS season was… was…

Easier than expected.

We’d become so conditioned, feeling like everything had to be completed, conversation had to stop, phone calls would go unanswered… all be causes of a TV show that drove our collective blood pressure through the roof (and into raccoon territory – for those of you ‘in the know’… 🙂 ).

What would we do without our regularly scheduled programs?

How about chat? How about fill each other in on what we did that day, what we hope to do the next day? How about go for a walk after dinner? Or take out some board games and enjoy what little quality time our busy lives allow?

We’ve started to do all of that again after years of letting it slide, and we’ve rediscovered something rather amazing – we actually enjoy each other’s company. Playing CLUE, Backgammon and other games is fun. Talking about our days helps heal some perceived slights and provides some laughs as well as a stronger connection to each other – much more so than all of us sitting shoulder to shoulder without speaking as we watch ‘life’ occur to others via cable TV.

Will we go back to watching our shows when they come back on? Probably. But these days, the remote sits on top of the games, so we’re reminded of what’s really important. “Together time” is not just about being in the same room. Not anymore.

How do you spend the after-dinner hours with your family? Did the writer’s strike change the way you view your evening habits? Or was TV addiction not an issue for you to begin with?

4 Comments

Linda on March 24, 2008 at 2:36 pm

I was just bemoaning the fact that it seems to require an hour or two in front of the TV in order to relax. But I am finding a slow, leisurely walk has its benefits too.

Linda

Laura on March 24, 2008 at 10:57 pm

I would be reading this post as the TV is on (muted mind you) in the background while I do a fast internet surf before I do what really needs to be done…work on my term paper.

But to answer your question, I basically just changed what I watched. Some of the mid-season shows started earlier than usual and, although I always swear I won’t add anymore new shows to my “must see TV” list, I’ve added a couple that, now that some of the shows I used to watch are coming back on, I’m having to add to my regular must see TV schedule line up.

Not that I have a problem or anything. LOL

By the way, I think the way your family has handled it is great. 🙂

bethyarnall on March 25, 2008 at 1:18 am

After watching about 30 episodes of ‘Deal or No Deal’ (since it was the ONLY new show on) we either found other shows or we just talked. Yeah we talked to each other. It’s actually been great although I can’t wait for new episodes of ‘The Office’. We can talk again in the summer, right?

Sandy Levin on March 27, 2008 at 8:39 pm

Your newly discovered after dinner activities sound wonderful. Unfortunately, DH is not a game person, although I do catch him playing solitaire on the computer sometimes 🙂

The writer’s strike didn’t change our TV viewing much – we watched reruns. But I also go to yoga class 2 nights a week. Then there’s catching up on email, US mail, catching up on our day, and reading. There’s only me and DH. My daughter left home for college and never returned (so far at least. I heard kids moving back home is a trend these days)

Linda on March 24, 2008 at 2:36 pm

I was just bemoaning the fact that it seems to require an hour or two in front of the TV in order to relax. But I am finding a slow, leisurely walk has its benefits too.

Linda
Laura on March 24, 2008 at 10:57 pm

I would be reading this post as the TV is on (muted mind you) in the background while I do a fast internet surf before I do what really needs to be done…work on my term paper.

But to answer your question, I basically just changed what I watched. Some of the mid-season shows started earlier than usual and, although I always swear I won’t add anymore new shows to my “must see TV” list, I’ve added a couple that, now that some of the shows I used to watch are coming back on, I’m having to add to my regular must see TV schedule line up.

Not that I have a problem or anything. LOL

By the way, I think the way your family has handled it is great. 🙂
bethyarnall on March 25, 2008 at 1:18 am

After watching about 30 episodes of ‘Deal or No Deal’ (since it was the ONLY new show on) we either found other shows or we just talked. Yeah we talked to each other. It’s actually been great although I can’t wait for new episodes of ‘The Office’. We can talk again in the summer, right?
Sandy Levin on March 27, 2008 at 8:39 pm

Your newly discovered after dinner activities sound wonderful. Unfortunately, DH is not a game person, although I do catch him playing solitaire on the computer sometimes 🙂

The writer’s strike didn’t change our TV viewing much – we watched reruns. But I also go to yoga class 2 nights a week. Then there’s catching up on email, US mail, catching up on our day, and reading. There’s only me and DH. My daughter left home for college and never returned (so far at least. I heard kids moving back home is a trend these days)