When we moved further East ( this was 10 years ago) we found out that to get even the basic TV channels we had to get either cable or direct TV. We went for the latter.
We got the basic package. We didn't need or want HBO or Cinemax.
I think we have over 200 channels.
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Last week a direct TV representative called to offer us a "great Deal" his words.
"Pray tell Mr. Representative, what is the great deal of which you speak?" Sometimes I like to think I'm in medieval times....
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anyhoo....he said for just an extra $4.95 a month I can get access to a slew of new channels.
"Why kind sir, I am much obliged" Yep, I just saw the movie A Street Car Named Desire. I have it on DVD.
"That's right" he said. "And to make the offer sweeter, I'll throw in three free months of these extra channels."
"Why Thank you." I answered, "I have always depended on the kindness of strangers." Yep, I'm still in Blanche DuBois mode.
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Then I started thinking....(Yeah the New yorker in me crept back in.) What's his deal? Free channels? I've got 200+ channels now that I don't even watch!!!! Seriously people have you seen the crapola on TV lately? It's all reality TV nonsense. It's so bad their trying to GIVE it away? Well, not really, they are offering free trials so that we end up spending more a month.
Do I really need to watch more shows about drunken 20-something-year-olds who's private parts need to be blocked throughout most of the show because they are too indiscreet to even care?
I find myself watching old shows and old movies. Very few things currently on TV have captured my attention. I'm not saying it's all bad (There are a few shows I like) but a lot of it is and quite frankly even the news has gone the trash route.
A few nights ago after the kids were asleep I turned on the TV and looked for something to watch. I clicked channel after channel and even the DVR proved unfruitful. Drats, now what?
I'll tell you what....I held the remote and Click...off went the TV.
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The sweetest sound ever!
"No Mr. Direct TV rep. I am not interested in extra channels."
"But, Mam, you're getting three months free! How could you turn that down?" I could feel his shock. He went on and on about this great deal and how I shouldn't pass it up. I think he was questioning my sanity...He wanted to know why Why WHY! "Do you really want to miss out on all these great Channels?"
"Frankly Mr. Representative, I don't give a damn." OK I said "darn", but you get the gist .
Rhett Butler would have been so proud
Really cute format you have done, so cool!!! We have Direct T.V.! It started out small, but then we DID take those extra channels for five dollars, then we had to get local channels, like the news and PBS, they are about four dollars each. And now it is about $100.00 a month!!!! We are going to have to drop lots of channels and get the price back down!!! And it goes out in storms. We are thinking about fiber optic...we already have that for our computer connection.
ReplyDeleteI know! I've Been watching mostly netflix lately.
DeleteFound you through a - z - totally agree with you on the TV thing - more and more channels, less and less on worth watching. Love your sense of humour!
ReplyDeleteSo you don't like Jersey Shore then?
ReplyDeleteLOL! Thats not a show; it's a warning to all young people on the dangers of excessive drinking and lack of self respect.
Deletelove the story and so so true! We have TV and we hardly ever watch it so it's such a waste.TV is so worthless nowadays! News and ESPN for my son and that's that!
ReplyDeleteI know...whatever happened to family TV? Is it still out there? Maybe I have to look harder....or give up altogether.
DeleteThat's a great story! We had cable in Texas and then Direct TV for a while here in Montana. It got to the point where it was painful for me to write the check out to them every month. I could count the channels that we watched on one hand. So we just quit, cold turkey. I thought the kids might revolt, but they didn't. Nowadays we rent from Netflix or use their streaming service. It's been great!
ReplyDeletei knoow what you mean i have my basic few channels i watch because let's face I can't live without DWTS, AI or my celebrity Apprentice I mean hello Clay Aiken enough said there but yep half the station i have i don't watch
ReplyDeletehaha love it--so true--all those channels and nothing on--but as unpopular as it is, i must admit to loving lots of reality shows :(
ReplyDeleteWe have lots and lots of channels. I watch very few of them (but I must admit, I like to have the options available.) I'm with you - reality television is hardly reality and is complete and utter nonsense.
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Claudia
such a clever post! Loved the movie lines and how you worked them in to the situation. Excellent.
ReplyDeleteThey always mention the specials so fast and yes for 2 secs it sounds great, free this and at this great price and that is how so many get sucked in, but if everyone, like you, just took 2 secs to really think about what they are saying then they would realise it ain't so grand. Funny thing is, that if you say you wish to think about it and can you ahve a number to contact them back on then they mubble and say that is not possible!? Well done you for resisting and love the movie lines.
ReplyDeleteLove it. Who needs all those channels??!! It's insane. We flip around channels not to see what's on, but to see what ELSE is on. We lived in Italy for one year and had NO TV. It was wonderuful!
ReplyDeleteYou made the right choice, Joanne. I don't even own a TV. Time is too precious.
ReplyDeletexoRobyn
So true! We have way more than we need. I like to chill out and watch for a little bit to unwind but seriously...who needs 500 channels? Good choice! Hope your having a great week!
ReplyDeleteI agree. We have direct TV. I am happy with the travel, HGTV and a few others. You have to have so many others just to get what you want.
ReplyDeleteI love your New York side! I have to pull that one out every once in a while!
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