Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Who Hates TV?
- Thread starter kill-your-tv
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Haven't owned a TV for about 4-5 years since my portable broke, don't miss it at all. If there's something I really want to see like Curb or Sopranos then I rent or buy the DVDs when they come out and watch them on the Mac.
I own a TV, but it would just get snow if I turned it on, which I haven't done in years. It got too annoying to bother with. Even fast-forwarding through commercials got aggravating just because there are so many, plus there's almost nothing on anymore that I'm interested in.
And TV isn't like the internet. Because there's no MacRumors on TV, is there?
--Eric
And TV isn't like the internet. Because there's no MacRumors on TV, is there?
--Eric
L
Lau
Guest
I think that TV gets too much credit for hate (or love). It's a medium, no more, no less. I've watched some great TV programs and documentaries, seen some news as it happened, and seen some great films that I wouldn't have thought to rent. In spite of 95% of TV being dirge, I don't think you can discount the good stuff.
Having said that, I hate having a TV on chattering away all day. If I lived alone, I probably wouldn't have one, or certainly not have one pride of place in the living room. However, my boyfriend watches a lot more TV than me, so we do have one, and I have seen things that have been worthwhile beacause of that.
I must say, I do prefer the idea of watching programs on demand over the internet and I do tend to buy DVDs of things rather than bother to watch them on TV. I think it's a healthier way of watching, in that you have to make a conscious decision to choose to watch something, rather than 'seeing what's on'. But that's not hating TV, because I'm watching its prgramming, just in a different form. I just dislike the way some people use it.
Having said that, I hate having a TV on chattering away all day. If I lived alone, I probably wouldn't have one, or certainly not have one pride of place in the living room. However, my boyfriend watches a lot more TV than me, so we do have one, and I have seen things that have been worthwhile beacause of that.
I must say, I do prefer the idea of watching programs on demand over the internet and I do tend to buy DVDs of things rather than bother to watch them on TV. I think it's a healthier way of watching, in that you have to make a conscious decision to choose to watch something, rather than 'seeing what's on'. But that's not hating TV, because I'm watching its prgramming, just in a different form. I just dislike the way some people use it.
Hmm...well, I own a TV but I don't own an aerial 
. The few regular things I will specifically switch on for (if I'm around) are Coronation St, Shameless, Nevermind The Buzzcocks, Have I Got News For You, Question Time, Newsnight and Channel 4 News. There are also one off documentaries that I'll switch on for - but not dramas, as 99.99% of TV dramas are utter tosh.
The idea of hating TV is nonsense. Chances are that someone who claims to hate TV owns a DVD box-set of some series or other, which in my view is the same thing as watching TV. TV has given us some brilliant shows and films over the the years, so shutting it out completely would be denying yourself some real gems.
I can't deny that most TV is terrible, and its getting worse, but if people like us with perhaps more discerning taste refuse to watch any TV, then we might be denying some really talented writers and directors their chance to break into the mainstream. If you don't give everything at least one chance then you'll find your tastes quickly stagnate. (Bear in mind I'm speaking from a UK perspective, where we have the BBC, which may be more willing to take risks than most US networks).
On the other hand, radio is the most underrated medium. There are some great shows on the wireless. I've kind of rediscovered it since my aerial broke.
. The few regular things I will specifically switch on for (if I'm around) are Coronation St, Shameless, Nevermind The Buzzcocks, Have I Got News For You, Question Time, Newsnight and Channel 4 News. There are also one off documentaries that I'll switch on for - but not dramas, as 99.99% of TV dramas are utter tosh.The idea of hating TV is nonsense. Chances are that someone who claims to hate TV owns a DVD box-set of some series or other, which in my view is the same thing as watching TV. TV has given us some brilliant shows and films over the the years, so shutting it out completely would be denying yourself some real gems.
I can't deny that most TV is terrible, and its getting worse, but if people like us with perhaps more discerning taste refuse to watch any TV, then we might be denying some really talented writers and directors their chance to break into the mainstream. If you don't give everything at least one chance then you'll find your tastes quickly stagnate. (Bear in mind I'm speaking from a UK perspective, where we have the BBC, which may be more willing to take risks than most US networks).
On the other hand, radio is the most underrated medium. There are some great shows on the wireless. I've kind of rediscovered it since my aerial broke.
I don't watch much TV either just...
24, Prison Break, Lost, Heroes, CSI, CSI:Miami, CSI:NY, House, Grey's Anatomy, Criminal Minds, Battlestar Galactica, American Idol, Simpsons, Family Guy, Dr. Who, The Office, Smallville, Amazing Race, Stargate, Two And A Half Men, Desperate Housewives, Medium, Yadda yadda yadda
Just kiding, I do watch 24, Heroes, Lost and Prison Break and that is 4 hours too much...
24, Prison Break, Lost, Heroes, CSI, CSI:Miami, CSI:NY, House, Grey's Anatomy, Criminal Minds, Battlestar Galactica, American Idol, Simpsons, Family Guy, Dr. Who, The Office, Smallville, Amazing Race, Stargate, Two And A Half Men, Desperate Housewives, Medium, Yadda yadda yadda
Just kiding, I do watch 24, Heroes, Lost and Prison Break and that is 4 hours too much...
Much of what is shown in the UK seems to be "repeats"
how many more times can they re-re-re-run Little Britain? And when something "original" comes along, it is always has the same "actors" or "celebs" or "politicians" from a small pool of over-rated talent. Another "outtakes" programme with Anne Robinson, anyone?
And "Planet Daytime TV"? One after the other "Agony-aunt" Jeremy Kyle-style "talk" shows. Interspersed with ads for re-mortgaging your house and future Loans, loans and more loans and then (Oh, the irony ) ads for Debt "relief"
That being said, EyeTV works wonders.
We don't own a TV set, just a little EyeTV USB box and a subscription to tvtv. Beginning of the week I have a look at the TV guides and see what might be worth it and tvtv sets it automatically.
So those ocasions when we're at a loss to do something there is always something ready.
And "Planet Daytime TV"? One after the other "Agony-aunt" Jeremy Kyle-style "talk" shows. Interspersed with ads for re-mortgaging your house and future Loans, loans and more loans and then (Oh, the irony
) ads for Debt "relief"
That being said, EyeTV works wonders.
We don't own a TV set, just a little EyeTV USB box and a subscription to tvtv. Beginning of the week I have a look at the TV guides and see what might be worth it and tvtv sets it automatically.
So those ocasions when we're at a loss to do something there is always something ready.
I'd say it is at least 15 years since I've had a TV here. When it was I rarely watched it. I watch the odd BBC programme from its website and go round to a mate for the Moto GPs.
A happy situation.
A happy situation.
my husband and i decided when we bought our house two months ago to ditch the dish...and it has been a great decision. he's the type to plop down and watch for hours no matter what's on. i'm the type that hates to sit down for more than 10 minutes.
we do have netflix for movies (which i also don't love) but i do have to admit that now that it's winter, it's nice to sit down and watch a couple of episodes of carnivale to pass the time. when spring rolls around....it's back outside for me.
we do have netflix for movies (which i also don't love) but i do have to admit that now that it's winter, it's nice to sit down and watch a couple of episodes of carnivale to pass the time. when spring rolls around....it's back outside for me.
Good timing
My fiancée and I ditched our cable five weeks ago and I have to say it feels great. We have much more time on our hands to do stuff togehter like cooking, taking a walk or reading. Sounds cheesy but its true.
Most of the stuff you watch on TV anyway is just about watching somebody else having a real exciting time while you sit at home, staring at a screen and doing absolutely nothing.
Take a minute to imagine what you look like when your watching TV…, you look like a brainless zombie. ( OK thats a little over the top but I am trying to make a point here )
I read an article about six weeks ago where they described the effetcts of watching TV on kids, and I was absolutely shocked. Children should not be allowed to watch the tube at least until they are 5 years old.
While we watch TV our brain is totally idle, for us adults thats OK, but for kids this means that they lose precious learning time. Children learn by interacting with the world, they have to touch things to understand them. Now if you take those really important experiences from the kids, they miss out on the most important stuff and they end up mentally retarded compared to children that never watch TV.
I could go on for hours but anyways.
Free your mind.
Throw your TV out.
My fiancée and I ditched our cable five weeks ago and I have to say it feels great. We have much more time on our hands to do stuff togehter like cooking, taking a walk or reading. Sounds cheesy but its true.
Most of the stuff you watch on TV anyway is just about watching somebody else having a real exciting time while you sit at home, staring at a screen and doing absolutely nothing.
Take a minute to imagine what you look like when your watching TV…, you look like a brainless zombie. ( OK thats a little over the top but I am trying to make a point here )
I read an article about six weeks ago where they described the effetcts of watching TV on kids, and I was absolutely shocked. Children should not be allowed to watch the tube at least until they are 5 years old.
While we watch TV our brain is totally idle, for us adults thats OK, but for kids this means that they lose precious learning time. Children learn by interacting with the world, they have to touch things to understand them. Now if you take those really important experiences from the kids, they miss out on the most important stuff and they end up mentally retarded compared to children that never watch TV.
I could go on for hours but anyways.
Free your mind.
Throw your TV out.
You've yet to discover The Royle Family then. It's literally a sitcom about a working-class family watching TV and talking about nothing in particular. Nothing ever happens. So you have a family watching a TV show about a family watching TV...A pinnacle in post-modern irony
It's also one of the funniest things I've ever seen. Another reason why I couldn't just throw out the telebox.
My TV is essentially being used as a monitor.
Between my 360 and a PC connected via component, I don't really ever watch anything that I don't have direct control over.
All my DVD's are ripped and stored on a server, so I have access to an enormous library via my wireless keyboard on the couch.
Going to my friends' houses where TV is ever-present, I notice just how much of the programming is ads. Everywhere.. ads. Ads for products via commercials, ads for products during shows, ads for shows sponsored by products, ads for entirely other shows.. and the list goes on and on. I realize these ads are a necessary evil for the privilege of free television. However, given that alternatives (DVR's, streaming video, etc..) are becoming more accessible on large screens for less and less money (AppleTV for example), I see the current television model going away. The networks will *have* to offer far more interesting stuff as the population starts generating their own content.
A lot of people expect AppleTV to shake up Hollywood, which it might. To me, though, the greater impact is going to be in the television space.
I suspect that AppleTV (and its PC equivalents) will gut network television.
TV needs to wake up and give us something worth watching. Doubly-so if they want to offset the obnoxious advertisements they inflict on their viewers.
Between my 360 and a PC connected via component, I don't really ever watch anything that I don't have direct control over.
All my DVD's are ripped and stored on a server, so I have access to an enormous library via my wireless keyboard on the couch.
Going to my friends' houses where TV is ever-present, I notice just how much of the programming is ads. Everywhere.. ads. Ads for products via commercials, ads for products during shows, ads for shows sponsored by products, ads for entirely other shows.. and the list goes on and on. I realize these ads are a necessary evil for the privilege of free television. However, given that alternatives (DVR's, streaming video, etc..) are becoming more accessible on large screens for less and less money (AppleTV for example), I see the current television model going away. The networks will *have* to offer far more interesting stuff as the population starts generating their own content.
A lot of people expect AppleTV to shake up Hollywood, which it might. To me, though, the greater impact is going to be in the television space.
I suspect that AppleTV (and its PC equivalents) will gut network television.
TV needs to wake up and give us something worth watching. Doubly-so if they want to offset the obnoxious advertisements they inflict on their viewers.
The Royale Family was excellent. The special they had recently really got me sobbing away.
Forgot to say - news. I watch a lot of news. the TV in the kitchen is always on BBC News 24. Does that count? it probably does. Overall though I think I spend about 2 hours watching TV a week. Everything recorded on EyeTV and watch it when it suits in. Don't care for HD. If a show is bad then it's bad. I only watch TV shows for the plotlines nowadays.
Forgot to say - news. I watch a lot of news. the TV in the kitchen is always on BBC News 24. Does that count? it probably does. Overall though I think I spend about 2 hours watching TV a week. Everything recorded on EyeTV and watch it when it suits in. Don't care for HD. If a show is bad then it's bad. I only watch TV shows for the plotlines nowadays.
I may have sounded a little extreme in my other post. I dont want to ever never watch TV again. I plan on still watching some DVD's from time to time in the future.
But for now its no TV for us.
In our new home we might put a TV in a separate room. Nowhere near the kitchen and the living room.
The danger is to watch the news while you eat,
or eat in front of a DVD,
or talk to a friend while really watching a game…
It's this invasive power of the TV I really dislike.
But for now its no TV for us.
In our new home we might put a TV in a separate room. Nowhere near the kitchen and the living room.
The danger is to watch the news while you eat,
or eat in front of a DVD,
or talk to a friend while really watching a game…
It's this invasive power of the TV I really dislike.
TV will always have its place. For example, I don't see why people are so bent on the idea that children should never watch TV. Between the audio and video, it can be an incredible learning tool. Can it be abused? Yes. But that doesn't negate it's value.
Now, hating most TV programming is something else all together. I watch more than I would like, often not really even watching, but having background noise. I suppose I could count the shows I actually watch on one hand. I think. Maybe not. I don't know.
Now, hating most TV programming is something else all together. I watch more than I would like, often not really even watching, but having background noise. I suppose I could count the shows I actually watch on one hand. I think. Maybe not. I don't know.