Television is the great corrupter. At least that's what many experts in sociology and related fields, and many a pundit (including those on television!), say and have been saying for years.
Maybe it's because there's SO much of it these days. Most people have access to scores, if not hundreds of channels. Maybe it's because, in order to fill up so many channels, there is so much crap on television. Maybe it's the reality shows, which show us, as humanity, at our most base, crassest, and idiotic behavioral worst.
But it wasn't always the case. At least, not to me.
I watched a Disney flick today — The Rock in "The Game Plan." Not the greatest movie ever, but entertaining and sweet and endearing.
But the previews got me thinking ... well, reminiscing. OK, not the previews per se, but the part with the fireworks going off and Tinkerbell flying over the Disney castle.
It reminded me of the program "The Wide World of Disney." It was a staple in our family viewing. We watched it every weekend. It really was a family event. Pop in his recliner. Mom in her chair. Some of the kids on the couch. Some of the other kids on the floor. All glued to our big-ass RCA that lasted forever and had the two rotary dials — yes, this was pre-remote control. VERY pre-that time.
Sometimes there was popcorn — NOT microwaved, but made in a big pot on the stove or, if we were "lucky," in one of those Jiffy Pop pans. Sometimes it was mom's famous Chex mix, with a few varieties of Chex cereal, some pretzels, some nuts, etc.
It didn't matter what the show was. "Escape from Witch Mountain." "The Apple Dumpling Gang." "Chitty-Chitty Bang Bang." "Old Yeller." Or one of those nature semi-documentaries about the raccoon or whatever. We were all there, as a family, to watch and enjoy.
Those were the days ...
And yes, I'm old, dammit ...
7 comments:
Well, I'm older, and I loved watching The Wide World of Disney as well. I remember they tried to bring it back in the 60s or 90s, but it just wasn't the same. The quality of the shows wasn't there.
I loved that show too. I thought it was the wonderful world of disney. My memory fails me, I suffer from CRS (can't remember shit) We watched it every Sunday evening.
I remember it as the Wonderful World of Disney as well... I loved that show!
oh, i loved those movies!! and did you ever watch "Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom"?? LOVED it. :) i've got my boys watching all those as well as the knowledge-building commercials of the 70s (I'm just a Bill, yeah, I'm only a Bill...I'm gonna be a law someday...")
I had totally forgotten about those Sunday nights in front of the TV with the family. I loved those movies as well.
I hope you are well. It feels like you fell off the face of the Earth.
quit falling off the face of the earth. damnit
come say hi damnit
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