The Value of TV?

I have loved television my whole life.  TV was my babysitter before it was the cool thing to do.


But even from a young age I was a sophisticated television lover.  While my friends were enjoying "Captain Kangaroo," I was tuned into really cutting edge shows like "One Life To Live" and "All My Children" and prime time dramas such as "The Dukes of Hazzard" and "Dallas." 


I wasn't alone, although they may not admit how much they loved 80s television.  My sister and I would create elaborate Barbie storylines based on shows we saw.  For example, Barbie was moonlighting as a hooker and her john (a generic un-Ken, sometimes played by the Donny Osmond doll) was helping her keep her secret from Ken (loosely based on the Karen/Marco/Dr. Larry storyline on One Life To Live circa maybe 1979?).  And in first grade when we were learning how to write letters (an ancient art form) my best friend and I wrote and mailed letters to Katherine Bach, the talented actress who played Daisy Duke on "The Dukes of Hazzard."

• Is it wrong that while other kids were wondering what summer camp they were going to, I was wondering who really did shoot JR on Dallas?

• Is it wrong that I dreamed of one day living at Southfork and having a family barbecue like the Ewings?

• Is it wrong that I used to pretend I was the raunchy dancer on Solid Gold?

Ok, maybe that last one is wrong.

Maybe all of it is wrong.  As I hover over my children, I try to "protect" them from all of the junk on tv.  I won't let them watch what we call "teenager shows."  Those shows consist of "Wizards of Waverly Place" on Disney and mostly anything on Nickelodeon.  


Not sure why I am so strict.  I think mostly it is because my kids are total jerks to me after they watch those shows.


I don't know if I was ever a jerk to my parents after watching, what I like to call, the sophisticated shows of the eighties.  I mean I never thought my parents were stupid like Hannah Montana does.  I wasn't thinking about my parents at all.  I was practicing what my over-the-shoulder intro look would be if I was ever on "The Love Boat."  Remember those?  I mean who hasn't practiced their show intro look? Right?


As soap operas are beginning to phase out I am really nervous.  Television is changing.  I learned so much about life from soaps.  Lessons like lying is never a good idea...the truth always comes out; characters, I mean people, are very forgiving; there ARE super couples; and you may be recast, but it is never as good as the original.


There is still good TV out there and I am still watching the sophisticated programming.  Now I am into "The Real Housewives" of anywhere, because I believe editing IS storytelling.  And I am anxiously awaiting the premiere of "The Closer."  


And of course I will be so missing "Mad Men" this summer.  


TV was my babysitter and maybe sadly my best friend for a lot of my growing up.  As television changes, so am I.  But I believe there is value, even in some of the not-so-sophisticated programming.  


I just have to figure out what value there is for my kids and how sophisticated I want them to be.

You can't tell me there is no value in the brilliantly written show Mad Men.  For adults of course.

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